Campus Life

New name for office that handles sexual misconduct prevention and response

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The University unit formerly known as the Title IX Office has been renamed the Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response to better reflect its services.

Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex, including sexual harassment, at educational institutions that receive federal funding. At Penn State, the office is responsible for handling all cases of sexual harassment, sexual violence and gender-based discrimination. The office is a place to go for information about those issues or to file a complaint. It also provides support, educational accommodations and referrals to other services.

“We want to make the services we provide accessible to all of our students, as well as faculty and staff,” said Paul Apicella, Title IX coordinator. “That includes prevention, building awareness and implementing educational efforts around the University.”

The establishment of a stand-alone Title IX office at Penn State was one of the recommendations made by the Task Force on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment. For more information, visit the office website: TitleIX.psu.edu.

Last Updated September 23, 2020