Prioritizing Title IX: Educating Institutional Leaders

This article was reviewed by Susanna Murphy, J.D., Lead Investigator and Advisor, Title IX Solutions

Board members and senior-level administrators play a central role in deciding how Title IX is resourced and supported on campus. Budgets for staffing, training, and programmatic funding often sit at this level, and these leaders may even be involved as appellate officers or spokespersons for the entire institution when parties wish to escalate their concerns.

At the same time, much of the day-to-day Title IX process is not visible to those outside the Title IX Office, including board members and senior-level administrators. The time required for a single case, the coordination across roles, and the level of detail involved are easy to misunderstand without direct exposure.

With board meetings often taking place on campus in the weeks leading up to graduation, this is a timely opportunity to build a clearer understanding of Title IX and its role in protecting the institution and managing risk.

Helping Institutional Leadership Understand Title IX Responsibilities

When working with board members and senior-level administrators, it can be helpful to walk through the stages of a Title IX case, from intake through resolution.

Broadly speaking, this includes intake meetings, provision of supportive measures, sensitive communications with parties and witnesses, investigative interviews, evidence collection, coordination across multiple roles, and a formal decision-making process. Providing this overview to leadership shows that Title IX is not a single action, but a structured and well-documented process that must meet specific requirements to ensure compliance, fairness, and consistency on behalf of the institution.

Setting expectations for how long cases can take is equally important. Investigations can take place over many months, and even one complex case can impact team capacity. Providing such context to leadership may help Title IX Coordinators explain why Title IX work cannot always be absorbed alongside other responsibilities for various roles in the process.

It can also be helpful to reinforce that Title IX requirements continue to change. Staying current and maintaining compliance requires ongoing training and professional development.

Connecting Title IX Compliance to Institutional Priorities

Once leadership has a clearer understanding of the scope of Title IX work, the next step is incorporating that perspective into institutional priorities and decision-making.

Title IX compliance is directly tied to institutional risk. Gaps in written process or missteps in its execution can expose institutions to potential litigation, investigations by the Office for Civil Rights, reputational impact, and financial consequences. A well-supported Title IX program helps institutions respond consistently, document decisions clearly, and demonstrate that processes are fair and defensible.

It is important to connect resources to outcomes that leadership can clearly see. Staffing, training, and access to experienced support all influence how effectively a case is handled. When those elements are in place, institutions are better positioned to manage cases in a timely and consistent way.

Cost is another area where context matters. Investigations require time and funding, which can raise questions when viewed in isolation. When considered alongside the potential cost of litigation, regulatory action, or reputational harm, the investment becomes easier to understand.

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Please Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. We recommend seeking independent legal advice concerning the issues presented in evaluating a particular incident.