What is Title IX?
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education. It reads:
“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 (Title IX)
While it is often thought that Title IX applies only to athletics programs, it is much broader than athletics. It also applies to sexual harassment and sexual assault. While compliance is everyone’s responsibility, the Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators listed below are primarily responsible for Title IX compliance at Mitchell Hamline.
Mitchell Hamline School of Law does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment.
Sex discrimination includes sexual harassment and sexual assault.
Inquiries About Title IX
Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to Michell Hamline’s Title IX Coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both.
Further information can be found on the website of the United States Department of Education Office of Civil Rights
Title IX Coordinator
Christine Szaj, Vice President for Institutional Management
- Location: Office 357
- Email: Christine.Szaj@mitchellhamline.edu
- Phone: 651-695-7733
The Title IX Coordinator is the Mitchell Hamline official with responsibility for monitoring and coordinating the law school’s efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under Title IX and its implementing regulations, including coordination of training, education, communications, and administration of grievance procedures for faculty, staff, students and other members of the law school community.
Deputy Title IX Coordinators
Lynn LeMoine, Dean of Students
- Location: Office 119
- Lynn.LeMoine@mitchellhamline.edu
- Phone: 651-290-7668
Becky Barham, Director, Human Resources
- Location: Office 274
- Becky.Barham@mitchellhamline.edu
- Phone: 651-290-6322
Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy (revised August 1, 2024)
Mitchell Hamline’s revised Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy (generally referred to as the law school’s Title IX policy) may be found in the Law School Catalog (under “Policies” tab).
Filing a Complaint
To file a complaint against a Mitchell Hamline student, faculty, staff, or visitor for sexual harassment, sex discrimination, or sexual assault, you should use the Reporting Sexual Misconduct/Sexual Harassment form or one of the following contacts:
Reporting Sexual Misconduct/Sexual HarassmentAdditional Resources
Confidential law school resources:
Counseling Services (651) 290-8656
If you need additional support, please contact the counseling center to make an appointment.
Resources for Victims of Sexual Misconduct
We encourage victims of sexual violence to seek immediate medical and emotional assistance. Assistance is available by calling 911, the Saint Paul Police (651-291-1111), Mitchell Hamline Campus Security (651-290-6330) or (651-224-8763), Regions Hospital (651-254-5000), Ramsey County Sexual Offense Services (651) 643-3006.
The law school’s security staff responding to an incident of sexual violence will inform the victim of the options to notify law enforcement authorities, seek medical assistance, and the law school’s reporting process; and security staff will assist the victim with these contacts if the victim requests such assistance.
The victim may report to the police, to the law school, or both. The law school recognizes that the decision to report sexual violence to the police is the right of the victim. However, the law school strongly encourages the reporting of sexual violence to the appropriate officials.
SOS Sexual Violence Services of Ramsey County
Questions & Answers:
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the law school’s Sexual Harassment/Violence policy and procedures.
Does the complaint remain confidential?
The privacy of all parties to a complaint of sexual harassment/violence must be strictly observed, except insofar as it interferes with the law school’s obligation to fully investigate allegations of sexual harassment/violence. Where privacy is not strictly kept, it will still be tightly controlled on a need‐to‐know basis. Dissemination of information to persons not involved in the complaint procedure does not occur. In all complaints of sexual harassment/violence, the complainant will be informed of the outcome. In some instances, the administration also may choose to make a brief announcement of the nature of the violation and the action taken, using no names. Certain law school administrators are informed on a confidential basis (e.g., the President & Dean, Dean of Students, Security). The law school also must statistically report the occurrence on campus of major violent crimes, including certain sex offenses, in an annual report of campus crime statistics. This statistical report does not include personally identifiable information.
Do I have to name the perpetrator?
Yes, if you want a formal investigation and possible disciplinary action to be taken against the alleged perpetrator. No, if you choose to respond informally and do not file a formal complaint.
What do I do if I am accused of sexual violence?
Do not contact the alleged victim. You may contact the Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Student/Title IX Coordinator or one of the Title IX Investigators listed above, who can explain the law school’s procedures for dealing with sexual violence complaints. You may also want to talk to a confidential counselor at the counseling center.
What do I do about preserving evidence of a sexual assault?
If is important for victims to preserve any physical evidence of a criminal sexual assault which would be used for criminal prosecution. If you believe you have been a victim of a criminal sexual assault, you should contact the St. Paul police at 651-291-1111 or call 9-1-1.
If you go to a hospital emergency room, they will collect evidence, check for injuries, and address the possibility of exposure to sexually transmitted infections. If you have changed clothing since the assault, bring the clothing you had on at the time of the assault with you to the hospital in a clean, sanitary container such as a clean paper grocery bag or wrapped in a clean sheet (plastic containers do not breathe, and may render evidence useless). If you have not changed clothes, bring a change of clothes with you to the hospital, if possible, as they may keep the clothes you are wearing as evidence. You can take a support person with you to the hospital, and they can accompany you through the exam, if you want. Do not disturb the crime scene—leave all sheets, towels, etc. that may bear evidence for the police to collect.