Department(s):
Division of Talent & InclusionDear WPI Community,
On January 31, 2025, the Acting Secretary of the US Department of Education sent a letter to educational institutions regarding Title IX, directing them to disregard rules put in place in 2024 and revert to the 2020 Final Rules.
This will not impact WPI’s current practices. Because a court order prevented WPI and several other universities from implementing new 2024 Title IX rules, WPI has continued to operate under the 2020 Final Rules.
The federal rules define sexual misconduct and harassment and outline to whom and in what situations Title IX applies. The federal rules have changed over time to expand or limit protections, and they also differ from state definitions of sexual misconduct and harassment. Thus, WPI has a two-section policy to ensure we can adhere to both federal and Massachusetts laws.
As a reminder, all members of the WPI community are required to abide by the university’s Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Policy as well as our Faculty Handbook, Employee Manual, and Student Code of Conduct.
If you have questions, please contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Outreach at titleix@wpi.edu.