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Title IX Overview & Reporting Options
TITLE IX PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEX IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES
The Cleveland Institute of Art is committed to providing a learning, working and living environment that promotes personal integrity, civility, and mutual respect in an environment free of sexual misconduct and discrimination. Title IX of the Education Act Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs or activities operated by recipients of Federal financial assistance. This includes sexual harassment, discrimination based on pregnancy, parental status, sex stereotypes, and gender identity or transgender status. CIA does not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation in its educational programs or in any other activities sponsored by the College. This non-discrimination policy extends to all visitors; applicants for admission to the College; all students who are full- or part-time, matriculated for a degree or not; and all employees.
Use this form to report Title IX Discrimination, Harassment and/or Sexual Misconduct.
Title IX Sexual Harassment is a form of sex discrimination, including sexual violence and sexual assault, and is therefore a violation of Title IX policy. Specific behaviors that are prohibited by Title IX policy include rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual exploitation, non-consensual sexual contact, and other forms of non-consensual sexual activity; stalking; and relationship violence that is gender-based. Many behaviors that meet the definition of Title IX Sexual Harassment also constitute crimes.
Any of the following conduct on the basis of sex constitutes Title IX Sexual Harassment:
- An employee of the College explicitly or implicitly conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the College on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual contact (defined a “quid pro quo” harassment);
- Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the school’s education program or activity; or
- Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking (as those offenses are defined in the Clery Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1092(f), and the Violence Against Women Act, 34 U.S.C. § 12291(a)).
Title IX policy also prohibits discrimination against pregnant and parenting students. Under Title IX, it is illegal for schools to exclude a pregnant student from participating in any part of an educational program. In addition, a school must excuse a student’s absences because of pregnancy or childbirth for as long as the student’s doctor deems the absences medically necessary. When a student returns to school, they must be allowed to return to the same academic and extracurricular status as before their medical leave began. Any special services provided to students who have temporary medical conditions must also be provided to a pregnant student. A school may require a pregnant student or student who has given birth to submit medical certification for school participation only if the school also requires such certification from all students with physical or emotional conditions requiring the attention of a physician.
Discrimination on the basis of sex also includes: (1) discrimination based on sexual orientation; and (2) discrimination based on gender identity. It is impossible to discriminate against a person based on their sexual orientation or gender identity without also discriminating against that person based on sex. For example, prohibiting a transgender person from dressing or presenting consistent with that person’s gender identity would constitute sex discrimination.
Reporting
CIA has designated all of its employees (with the exception of any designated confidential resources, such as mental health counselors and medical professionals) as mandatory reporters of sexual misconduct and discrimination within the CIA campus community. Mandatory reporters are required to contact the Title IX Coordinator and report instances of sexual misconduct and discrimination in a timely manner. Any mandatory reporter who is consulted about, observes, and/or witnesses behavior involving a potential violation of Title IX policy has the responsibility to report it to the Title IX Coordinator. In addition, to the extent possible, members of the CIA community should also encourage those directly involved to promptly make a report to the College’s Title IX Coordinator.
Amanda Fronek, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Dean of Students, + Title IX Coordinator
216.421.7427
titleix@cia.edu
Lauren Conway
Executive Director, Center for Career + Workforce Development + Deputy Title IX Coordinator
216.421.8073
lnconway@cia.edu
Lisa Schumann
Associate Director of Human Resources + Deputy Title IX Coordinator
216.421.7405
lschumann@cia.edu
You may also file a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) using their electronic complaint form.
Resources
Updated August 2026
- Cleveland Police Department
911
Available 24/7 - University Circle Police Department
216.791.1234
Available 24/7 - CIA Safety + Security
216.421.7330 - Cleveland Heights Police Department
216.321.1234
Available 24/7 - CWRU Police Department
216.368.3333
Available 24/7 - East Cleveland Police Department
216-451-1234
Available 24/7
Confidential Advisors can take a report of sexual violence but are not required to file a report to anyone else. Confidential advisors provide support and advice to anyone reporting sexual violence. Campus and community resources with confidential advisors available have been noted below.
University Hospitals
11100 Euclid Avenue | 216-844-3722
Emergency Department entrance is located between Cornell and Adelbert Roads.
Confidential Advisors and SANE nurses (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) available here.
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC)
Main Phone (Call):216.619.6194 or 440.354.7364
Crisis + Support Hotline (Call or Text): 216.619.6192 or 440.423.2020
On campus at CWRU Flora Stone Mather Center on Mondays.
Confidential Advisors available here
CWRU University Health Services
2124 Cornell Road, Dental Research Building: 216.368.2450
Confidential Advisors available here.
CWRU University Counseling Services
2124 Cornell Road, Dental Research Building: 216.368.2450
Confidential Advisors available here.
CWRU Flora Stone Mather Center for Women (and Men)
11038 Bellflower Road (Tinkham Veale University Center), Suite 248
216.368.0985 or cwruadvocate@case.edu
Confidential Advisors available here via CRCC walk-in hours on Mondays.
CWRU LGBT Center
11038 Bellflower Road (Tinkham Veale University Center), Suite 179
216.368.LGBT
The Centers Ohio: Behavioral Health Urgent Care Uptown
12201 Euclid Avenue
216.721.4010 extension 5
Confidential Advisors available here.
Journey Center for Safety and Healing
2806 Payne Avenue
24-Hour Helpline: 216.391.4357
Confidential Advisors available here.
Updated August 2026
The persons listed below are “Designated Reporting Officers” (DRO) and as such can take a report concerning sexual violence. As DROs, they are required to respond to that report. They are NOT confidential advisors. They will respect the privacy request of any reporting person to the fullest extent possible during the course of their response and subsequent investigation. They also provide support and advice to anyone reporting sexual violence.
Any faculty of staff member who is told or hears about an incident of sexual violence is required to report that information to the Title IX Coordinator. Resident Assistants and Orientation Leaders, when operating within the capacity of their student leadership role, are required to report incidents of sexual violence.
Amanda Fronek, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Dean of Students + Title IX Coordinator
Student Services Suite, Room 120
216.421.7427
TitleIX@cia.edu
Lauren Conway
Executive Director, Center for Career + Workforce Development + Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Student Services Suite, Room 120
216.421.8073
lnconway@cia.edu
Lisa Schumann
Associate Director of Human Resources + Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Human Resource Suite, Room 121
216.421.7405
lschumann@cia.edu
TITLE IX POLICY & PROCEDURES
Updated August 2026
- 2026 Policy on Sexual Misconduct, Sex-Based Discrimination and Retaliation Under Title IX
- 2026 Grievance and Resolution Procedure for Reports of Title IX Sexual Harassment
- 2026 College Procedures for Responding to Title IX Reports Involving Sex Stereotypes
- 2026 College Procedures for Responding to Title IX Reports Involving Pregnant or Parenting Students
TITLE IX STAFF TRAINING MATERIALS
Updated August 2026
- 2025 Introduction to Pregnancy Obligations Under TIX
- 2025 TIX Appellate Decision Maker Training
- 2025 TIX Decision Maker Training
- 2025 TIX Informal Resolution Facilitator Training
- 2025 TIX Investigator Training
- 2026 ODHE Decision-Maker Writing Workshop Session 1
- 2026 ODHE Decision-Maker Writing Workshop Session 2
- 2026 Title IX Coordinator Training (BGW)
- 2026 Back to School Compliance
- 2026 Title IX Coordinator Training (HEIC)
- 2026 Title IX Informal Resolution Facilitator + Decision Maker Training (HEIC)
- 2026 Peer-On-Peer Retaliation Webinar (Bricker Graydon Wyatt)
FAQs
- Get to a safe place.
- Tell a trusted person about the incident.
- Call 911 or University Circle Police (216.791.1234) or Case Police (216.368.3333) and/or go directly to the emergency room at any local hospital for medical attention. The closest hospital to CIA’s facilities is:
University Hospitals, 11100 Euclid Avenue, 216.844.3722. - It is important that the physical evidence of the violence be preserved. Do not wash hands, shower or douche, urinate, consume liquids or food, brush hair or teeth, or change clothes immediately following the incident.
- The person who has experienced sexual violence can request an advocate or other support person during an examination at a hospital. An advocate is available from the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (216.619.6192).
- The person who has experienced sexual violence is not obligated to talk to the police, but the police will be called to the emergency room.
- Making sure evidence is collected does not obligate the person who has experienced sexual violence to pursue any action, but does leave all options open.
- Hospitals are required to report felony crimes (rape is a felony crime) but if the person who has experienced sexual violence is over 18, their name does not have to be disclosed.
Any CIA employee can receive a report of sexual violence and is considered a mandated report of the College. Additionally, any member of the CIA community can make a report via the Title IX reporting options listed on this page. Notifying the Title IX Office puts the College “on notice” and obligates the College to respond to the report.
The Title IX Coordinator who receives the report will make every effort to keep the report confidential to the extent possible and consistent with legal requirements and/or the requirement to investigate allegations in accordance with the Grievance and Resolution Procedure for Reports of Title IX Sexual Harassment. The reporter may request that a report be kept confidential, and the College will consider such requests. Students should be aware, however, that honoring such requests may limit the College’s ability to fully investigate and respond to the report. The College will maintain reports in a secure manner.
In some instances when there is a health or safety concern involving a student, the College may need to notify the parent or guardian. In making this decision, the desire of the complainant will be considered along with the need to protect their safety and that of the campus community. If the person who experienced sexual violence is under the age of 18, or under 21 and physically or mentally impaired, the Title IX Coordinator may be required to report the assault to the appropriate social service agency or the police.
Yes, a conversation without the requirement of follow-up action can be had with a “Confidential Reporting Officer.” Confidential Reporting Officers provide advice, support, and guidance about how to manage the situation without instituting an investigative action. These resources are not required to report allegations of sexual misconduct unless the reporter is in imminent danger. The report to this person remains confidential. Confidential Reporting Officers are licensed professionals and include:
- Mental health counselors, social workers, and medical professionals (doctors, nurses, and others with state licenses) who can be found at counseling centers, health centers, health care or social service agencies, hospitals, and clinics.
- CWRU Health Services, 2124 Cornell Road., 216.368.2450 (24/7)
- CWRU Counseling Services, 2124 Cornell Road, 216.368.5872 (24/7)
- CWRU Flora Stone Mather Center for Women (and men), Tinkham Veale University Center, Suite 248 on CWRU Campus (11038 Bellflower Road), 216.368.0985 Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm and Friday 9am-5pm and ask for the Licensed Professional Health Advocate
- Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, 216.619.6192 (24/7)
- Journey Center for Safety and Healing, 216.391.4357 (HELP), 24/7
Yes, if the College receives an anonymous report of sexual violence, it will conduct an inquiry into the matter. However, this may limit the College’s ability to conduct an effective inquiry and investigation concerning the report.
Yes and no. The College is not required to make a report but strongly encourages those who have experienced sexual violence to file a police report. Sexual violence may constitute a criminal act. A member of the police department has a responsibility to uphold and enforce the law even if the person reporting the violence does not want to participate in the process or make a complaint. If the person who has experienced sexual violence is at a hospital, the emergency room staff is required to report felony crimes to the police. If the person who has experienced sexual violence is 18 or older, their name does not have to be disclosed. If the person who has experienced sexual violence is under 18, a report must be made.
The Title IX Coordinator will provide information regarding supportive services available to the complainant, and will promptly and thoroughly investigate any complaint in accordance with the Grievance and Resolution Procedure for Reports of Title IX Sexual Harassment. A thorough investigation can, in some cases, take several weeks. The general investigation procedures will include a review of all applicable documents, an interview of the person making the complaint, an interview of the alleged violator, and interviews of additional witnesses. Other investigatory actions may also be taken. Based on the outcome of the investigation, a hearing may take place. At the conclusion of the investigation and hearing, a determination will be made as to whether the policy has been violated and what actions are warranted. The College may take interim measures before the conclusion of an investigation if circumstances warrant it. An appeals process is available.
A complaint or report of sexual violence is a serious matter. Dishonest complaints or reports are also against our policy, and CIA will take appropriate action up to and including expulsion or termination if its investigation determines that deliberately dishonest and/or bad faith accusations have been made. Note that insufficient proof that sexual assault has occurred is not the same as a false allegation.
If anyone involved in the investigative process (complainant, respondent, witness) feels that they are experiencing retaliation, they should report that activity to the Title IX Coordinator. The College will take appropriate action against anyone who retaliates, regardless of the outcome of the initial investigation.