Title IX Information

Title IX

ODU is committed to providing a healthy learning, working and living environment that promotes personal integrity and mutual respect. All members of our community, including guests and visitors, are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not infringe on the rights of others. It is free from all forms of discrimination and conduct that can be considered harassing, coercive or disruptive, including sexual misconduct.

Title IX Policy Statement on Sex-Based Discrimination

Ohio Dominican University (ODU) adheres to all federal, state, and local civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination in employment and education. ODU does not discriminate in its admissions practices in its employment practices, or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex/gender. As a recipient of federal financial assistance for education activities, ODU is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to ensure that all of its education programs and activities do not discriminate on the basis of sex. "Sex" includes biological sex, sex-based stereotypes, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and pregnancy or parenting status. "Sexual Harassment" is a form of sex-based discrimination and encompasses sexual assault, quid pro quo harassment, dating and domestic violations, as well as stalking. These and other forms of prohibited conduct are described more fully in ODU's Equal Opportunity, Harassment, Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct Policy.

Title IX does not apply to an educational institution that is controlled by a religious organization to the extent that application of Title IX would be inconsistent with the religious tenets of the organization. 20 U.S.C. § 1681(a) (3); 34 C.F.R. § 106.12. Moreover, Title IX is intended to protect individuals from sex-based discrimination, not curtail the free exchange of ideas or academic freedom. The Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights has long admonished that the offensiveness of a particular expression as perceived by some individuals, standing alone, is not a legally sufficient basis to establish a violation of Title IX.  Due regard to these principles will inform the University's review of Title IX complaints arising out of the exchange of ideas, the classroom setting, or theological or scholarly pursuits.

ODU also prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internal or external to the institution.

Any person may report sex discrimination (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to have experienced the conduct), in person, by mail, by telephone, by video, or by email, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator and Title IX Deputy Coordinator (below). A report may be made at any time (including during non-business hours).

Questions regarding Title IX, including its application and/or concerns about noncompliance, should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator. Individuals who believe they have experienced sex discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation in violation of ODU policy should contact the following:

Amy Thomas
Dean of Students/Title IX Coordinator
Ohio Dominican University 
1216 Sunbury Road
Columbus, OH 43219
Office Location: Erskine 148
614.251.4557
thomasa3@ohiodominican.edu
Report an Incident

 

A person may also file a complaint with the appropriate federal, state, or local agency within the time frame required by law. Depending upon the nature of the complaint, the appropriate agency may be the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Education, the Department of Justice.

Office for Civil Rights, Cleveland Office
U.S. Department of Education
1350 Euclid Avenue
Suite 325
Cleveland, OH 44115
(216) 522-4970
(216) 522-2573
OCR.Cleveland@ed.gov
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
Office for Civil Rights, National Headquarters
U.S. Department of Education
Lyndon Baines Johnson Dept. of Education Building
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-1100
(800) 421-3481
(202) 453-6012
 (TDD) (800) 877-8339
OCR@ed.gov

 

Within any resolution process related to this policy, ODU provides reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities and religious accommodations, when that accommodation is consistent with state and federal law.

Title IX Committee

Amy Thomas Title IX Coordinator
Sandy Rowley Title IX Deputy / Appeal Decision Maker
Robin Olson Clery Compliance Officer
Cory Gadel Hearing Officer / Decision Maker
Dan Teater Hearing Officer / Decision Maker
Ethan McCombs Investigator
Lorelei Theve Investigator
Stefanie Smith Investigator
Sarah Knight Investigator

The Title IX Committee is a cross-functional team of ODU members with distinct Title IX related responsibilities to effectively manage institutional compliance and respond to complex, sensitive matters in a timely and thorough manner as required by law.

Like the University’s approach to academic excellence that develops the whole person, the Title IX Committee will take a holistic approach that focuses on education, prevention and responsive efforts. Work performed by the task force will align with the University’s mission and culture of care philosophy.

Committee Primary Objectives

  • Respond to concerns of possible sexual misconduct in a timely and thorough manner as required by law
  • Regularly review policy and procedures subject to sexual misconduct and Title IX to ensure compliance as required by law
  • Enhance ODU’s culture of care through annual training and campus programs focused on education, prevention and responsiveness to sexual misconduct and harassment

Information and Resources

ODU believes in equal opportunity and does not discriminate in its educational programs and activities or against any employee or prospective employee on the basis of race, color, sex, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, marital status, or religion in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

It also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics. Discrimination can also include failing to reasonably accommodate religious practices or qualified individuals with disabilities where the accommodation does not pose an undue hardship. All such discrimination is unlawful.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

In addition, the policy applies to the administration of its admissions policies, educational policies and programs, financial aid programs, employment practices, athletic or other school administered programs or activities.

ODU provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities or for religious purposes upon request unless doing so would result in undue hardship to the University or other employees.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. It states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance, including admissions and employment.” Prohibited conduct under this policy is also prohibited under the Clery Act, as amended by VAWA, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4112, and other applicable statutes, regulations, and administrative code provisions.

Nothing in this policy in intended to prohibit individuals from filing a complaint or inquiry to ODU’s Title IX Coordinator and/or the United States Department of Education:

Amy Thomas
Dean of Students/Title IX Coordinator
Ohio Dominican University
1216 Sunbury Road
Columbus, OH 43219
Office Location: Erskine Hall, Room 148
Phone: 614.251.4557
Email: thomasa3@ohiodominican.edu

Office for Civil Rights, Cleveland Office
U.S. Department of Education
1350 Euclid Avenue
Suite 325
Cleveland, OH 44115
Telephone: (216) 522-4970
Facsimile: (216) 522-2573
Email: OCR.Cleveland@ed.gov

Consent is clear, knowing and voluntary. Consent is informed, freely and actively given in mutually understandable words or actions, creating clear permission and a willingness to engage.

  • An incapacitated person (including those under the influence of drugs or alcohol) cannot give consent.
  • Consent cannot be obtained by use of physical force, threats, intimidating behavior or coercion.

All members of our community can access the complete Sexual Discrimination and Misconduct Policy on our website.

Faculty and staff may also access the policy through the Employee Handbook.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding this policy:

  • Amy Thomas
    Dean of Students / Title IX Coordinator
    1216 Sunbury Road
    Columbus, OH 43219
    Office location:  Erskine Hall, 148
    614-251-4557
    thomasa3@ohiodominican.edu

Reporting incidents is important to address sexual misconduct on campus. Any person who believes they are or have been the victim of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking should report it immediately. 

Victims have the choice to report incidents confidentially or non-confidentially. To learn more about reporting please review the support service options below. Students may also want to review the complete guidelines on reporting available in the Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Policy.

Report an Incident

On-Campus Confidential Reporting

  • ODU Counseling Services, Wellness Center, Griffin Student Center
    (614) 251-4589 or (614) 251-4446
  • Campus Ministry Office, Sansbury Hall, first floor, (614) 251-4567

On-Campus Non-Confidential Reporting

  • Dean of Student Life, Erskine 148: (614) 251-4557
  • Public Safety, Griffin Student Center: (614) 251-4700
  • Residence Life Area Coordinators: (614) 251-4719 or (614) 251-4712
  • Director of Human Resources, Erskine 136: (614) 251-4597
  • Resident Assistants     

Off-Campus Confidential Resources:

  • SARNCO (Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio): (614) 267-7020
  • CHOICES 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline:  (614) 224-4663
  • Mt. Carmel Crime & Trauma Assistance Program: (614) 234-5900
  • RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network): (800) 656-4673
    Connects callers to nearest rape crisis line.

Off- campus Non-Confidential Resources:

  • Columbus Police Department (non-emergency line): (614) 645-4545
  • Emergency:  911

Title IX regulations require that any person involved in the University's Title IX process receive training. Training materials must be posted online. Below, you can find a list of training sessions along with materials and names of ODU employees in attendance.

Training conducted by Bricker Graydon Attorneys at Law, April 24, 2025

Training conducted by Bricker Graydon Attorneys at Law, November 21, 2024

Training conducted by Bricker & Eckler Attorneys at Law, March 3-4, 2022.

Training conducted by Steptoe & Johnson PLLC, January 12, 2021 (9 a.m. - noon)

Training conducted by Bricker & Eckler Attorneys at Law, summer 2020.

  • Direct. Step in and intervene. Grab your friend and walk away. Just get them out of there.
  • Distract. Find something around you—real or fake—to distract the person you want to get away from. For example, say "What’s that over there?" then grab your friend and run away.
  • Delegate. If you don’t want to get involved directly, ask someone else to step in and help.
  • Delay. If you come across someone who is upset or in need of help, comfort them by asking "Are you okay?" or "Can I do anything?"