Title IX

Policy

AB's Commitment Under Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that receives federal financial assistance. As a recipient of federal student aid, Alderson Broaddus University is bound by Title IX and is committed to providing an educational environment free from sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and retaliation.

AB prohibits any form of sex- or gender-based discrimination, including discrimination based on sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity. This commitment extends to all members of the AB community — students, faculty, staff, contractors, vendors, and visitors.

How to Report

Reports may be made by any person — the complainant, a witness, or a third party — at any time, regardless of when the alleged conduct occurred. Reports are accepted in person, by phone, by email, by mail, or through the secure online form.

• Online form: ab.edu/title-ix/report (encrypted, available 24/7).
• Phone: Title IX Coordinator, (304) 457-6203, weekdays 8 AM – 5 PM.
• Email: [email protected].
• In person: Burbick Hall, Room 240.
• Mail: Title IX Coordinator, 101 College Hill Drive, Philippi, WV 26416.

The Title IX Coordinator

The Title IX Coordinator is the University official responsible for overseeing AB's response to all reports of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and related conduct, and for ensuring the University's compliance with Title IX. The Coordinator is independent from academic and student-affairs reporting lines.

Supportive Measures

Whether or not a person chooses to pursue a formal complaint, AB offers supportive measures at no cost to anyone who has been impacted by reported conduct. Supportive measures are individually tailored and may include:

• Academic adjustments (course-section change, deadline extension, withdrawal without penalty).
• Housing modifications (relocation, lockout protection, alternative meal arrangements).
• No-contact directives.
• Work-schedule changes for employees.
• Increased monitoring or security at locations frequented by the parties.
• Connection to confidential counseling, medical care, advocacy, and legal resources.

The Investigation Process

When a formal complaint is filed, AB conducts a prompt, equitable, and impartial investigation. The Title IX Coordinator issues a written notice of allegations to both parties. Both the complainant and respondent are entitled to:

• Presumption that the respondent is not responsible until a determination is made at the conclusion of the process.
• Equal opportunity to present witnesses, evidence, and supporting documentation.
• An advisor of their choice — including an attorney — at all stages, at the party's own expense (AB provides a trained advisor on request).
• Written notice of all meetings, hearings, and deadlines.
• A live hearing with cross-examination by advisors, conducted by trained AB hearing officers.
• A written determination explaining the outcome, supporting rationale, and appeal rights.
• The right to appeal on specified procedural grounds within 7 calendar days of the determination.

AB resolves formal complaints, on average, within 90 calendar days of notice. Time frames may be extended for good cause with written notice to both parties.

Confidential Resources

The following resources are confidential — disclosures to them do not trigger an AB investigation, with limited legal exceptions:

• AB Counseling Services — Hamer Student Center, 2nd floor · (304) 457-6360 · [email protected].
• University Chaplain — Wilcox Chapel · (304) 457-6411.
• Broaddus Hospital Emergency Department — (304) 457-1760 · SANE-trained nurses available 24/7.
• National Sexual Assault Hotline — 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) · chat.rainn.org.
• WV Foundation for Rape Information & Services — 1-800-352-7273.

Mandatory Reporting

All AB employees who are not a designated confidential resource are responsible employees under Title IX. Responsible employees who become aware of conduct that may constitute sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual violence must promptly report that information to the Title IX Coordinator. This includes faculty, coaches, advisors, RAs, and most staff.

Prohibition on Retaliation

Retaliation — adverse action taken against a person because they reported, supported, participated in, or refused to participate in a Title IX process — is a violation of AB policy and federal law. Reports of retaliation are investigated using the same Title IX process.

Training & Education

All AB students complete annual online Title IX training. All faculty, staff, coaches, and student leaders complete enhanced training, with role-specific modules for RAs, hearing officers, investigators, and the Coordinator. Training records are public and available upon request.

Annual Report

The Title IX Coordinator submits a public annual report to the President and the Board of Trustees each September, summarizing the previous academic year's reports, outcomes, training participation, and community-education initiatives. The annual report is posted on this page.

• Title IX Annual Report 2024–2025 (PDF)
• Title IX Annual Report 2023–2024 (PDF)
• Full AB Policy on Sex Discrimination & Sex-Based Harassment (PDF)
• Title IX Procedures for Formal Complaints (PDF)

Questions or Concerns

You may also contact the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights:

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-1100
Phone: 1-800-421-3481 · Email: [email protected]