Comment Period for the Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Misconduct

In anticipation of the August 14, 2020 deadline to implement the federal Title IX regulations, the University convened a Working Group and three subgroups (student, faculty/staff and evidentiary issues) composed of representatives from the Office for Institutional Equity, the Provost’s Office, Student Affairs, Office of Counsel, and Human Resources to perform a holistic review of the Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Misconduct, the Student Sexual Misconduct Policy and the corresponding procedures during the spring.

The Working Group conferred with outside legal experts and consulted with leadership, student government, and various other constituent groups. The result was the creation of one single umbrella policy and three corresponding procedures. The revised Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related MisconductTitle IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedures, the Complaint Handling Procedures Involving a Faculty and Non-Faculty Staff as a Respondent, and the Complaint Handling Procedures for Harassment and Discrimination Matters Involving a Student as a Respondent were posted for public comment and feedback from August 12-14, 2020.

As a result of the public feedback, the policy and procedures were revised to clarify and improve processes, and to integrate the new Title IX federal regulations. A second public comment and feedback period was opened and closed on February 12, 2021. The Working Group will reconvene to review the feedback and to consider other issues that have arisen since August that need to be addressed. We appreciate your interest and dedication to this critically important process.

The Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Misconduct and the three corresponding procedures that apply to students, faculty and staff are available below.


The Policy

Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Related Misconduct

Adopted: May 13, 2019
Revisions: September 13, 2019; August 14, 2020*; October 28, 2020; September 1, 2022

Read The Policy

The Procedures of the Policy

Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedures

Adopted: August 14, 2020*
Revision: October 28, 2020; July 12, 2022; September 1, 2022

*This procedure is adapted in part and replaces the Student Sexual Misconduct Misconduct Policy and Procedures: Duke’s Commitment to Title IX.

Read the Procedures

Procedures for Responding to Discrimination and Harassment Reports Involving Student Respondents

Adopted: August 14, 2020
Revision: September 16, 2020; September 1, 2022

Read the Procedures

Procedures for Responding to Discrimination and Harassment Reports Involving Duke Faculty and Non-Faculty (Staff) Respondents

Adopted: August 14, 2020*
Revisions: September 16, 2020; June 1, 2022; July 12, 2022; September 1, 2022

Read the Procedures

Please refer to the Student Conduct webpage for more specific matters involving students at Duke.


Consensual Relationship Policy

Consensual Relationship Policy

Duke’s Policy on Consensual Relationships aims to avoid problems of interest, exploitation, and favoritism that may arise from employee relationships and faculty-student relationships. It also helps ensure that each member of the Duke community is treated with dignity and without regard to any factors that are not relevant to that person’s work.

Read the Consensual Relationship Policy

Please note that consensual romantic or sexual relationships between faculty or students with instructional responsibilities and undergraduate students are addressed in Appendix L (formerly Appendix Z) of the Faculty Handbook maintained by the Office of the Provost.


Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The Duke Equal Employment Opportunity Policy applies to both Duke University and Duke Health and is maintained and reviewed by Duke’s Office for Institutional Equity. The first paragraph of this Policy is referred to as the Duke Equal Opportunity Statement. This statement, or a link to it, must be incorporated in all job postings and job advertisements. Last reviewed: 7/30/2019.

Read the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Duke Equal Employment Opportunity Statement applies to both Duke University and Duke Health and is maintained and reviewed by Duke’s Office for Institutional Equity. This statement, or a link to it, must be incorporated in all job postings and job advertisements. Last reviewed: 7/30/2019.

Read the Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Nondiscrimination Statement

Nondiscrimination Statement

The Duke Nondiscrimination Statement applies to both Duke University and Duke Health and is maintained and reviewed by Duke’s Office for Institutional Equity. Last reviewed: 8/5/2022.

Read the Nondiscrimination Statement

Title IX Statement

Title IX Statement

The Duke Title IX Statement applies to both Duke University and Duke Health and is maintained and reviewed by Duke’s Office for Institutional Equity. Last reviewed: 8/5/2022.

Read the Title IX Statement

Federal Laws

Selected Federal Laws and Regulations

Selected laws and regulations on discrimination in employment and education.

Read the Selected Federal Laws

Get Support

If you are a faculty or staff member with concerns or questions, you are encouraged to address them as soon as possible by speaking with your manager, supervisor, department chair, or dean. You may also express concerns related to harassment, discrimination, sexual misconduct, and related retaliation to the Office for Institutional Equity at 919-684-8222.

Students are also encouraged to raise concerns or questions related to harassment, discrimination, sexual misconduct, and related retaliation to the Office of Student Affairs at conduct@duke.edu.