Recent federal rulings pertaining to the 2024 Title IX regulations impacted the College’s Civil Rights policy and process, and resolutions regarding the enforcement of Title VI provide the College with additional instruction.
Title IX. Since the last update issued on July 1, the number of schools subject to a preliminary injunction preventing the implementation and enforcement of the 2024 Title IX Regulations has grown from 10 states to 26 (1), including Ohio. In addition to the 26 states, hundreds of individual schools hosting chapters and members of three organizations, Moms for Liberty, Young America’s Foundation and Female Athletes United, are also under a preliminary injunction. On August 26, the Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision denying the Biden Administration's request for emergency intervention to stop the preliminary injunctions. Kenyon, located in one of the 26 states subject to the preliminary injunction, has a policy and process prepared that incorporates the 2024 regulations. Until the preliminary injunction is lifted the College's policy and process, published on July 1, reflects the 2020 Title IX regulations.
Title VI. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has published three separate resolution agreements with Lafayette College, Brown University and Drexel University regarding their enforcement of Title VI. These agreements reinforce the expectation that all community members can access their education/work without being harassed or discriminated against due to their race, national origin or religion.
In the current social and political climate, we as a community must fulfill the College’s central mission which, “requires free and open inquiry in all matters…. By listening to and challenging those with whom we disagree, we open ourselves to the possibility of learning,” (Kenyon’s 2024-25 Civil Rights Policy).
Any person who has experienced or witnessed any form of harassment or discrimination should contact either Samantha Hughes (hughess@kenyon.edu) or Kevin Peterson (peterson2@kenyon.edu) in the College’s Office for Civil Rights.
1. Louisiana, Montana, Mississippi, Idaho, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Virginia, West Virginia, Alaska, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Oklahoma.