Changes to our Policy and Procedure Due to Recent Legal Decision
On January 31, 2025, the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights issued a Dear Colleague Letter regarding the January 9, 2025, federal court decision to vacate the 2024 Final Rule for Title IX that was effective on August 1, 2024. This means that the 2024 Title IX regulations issued by the Department of Education are not effective in any state, including Washington. As a result of this ruling, we have reinstated the Policy Prohibiting Sex-Based Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct and the Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment. If you have questions, please contact the Title IX Coordinator/EOO Officer to discuss.
In accordance with its Statement on Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination, Puget Sound does not discriminate within its employment or educational opportunities on the basis of sex, race, color, nation of origin, religion, creed, age, disability, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, veteran or military status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act, and applicable federal, state or local laws.
Internal inquiries
The Title IX Coordinator/Equal Opportunity Officer has been designated to address inquiries internally regarding the Policy Prohibiting Sex-Based Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct and/or the Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment. The Procedure for Responding to Complaints of Sex-Based Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct and/or the Procedure for Responding to Complaints of Discrimination and Harassment (respectively) establishes the framework by which the university will respond to any notice or complaint of a potential violation of either policy.
Complaints or notice of alleged policy violations, or inquiries about or concerns regarding these policies and procedures, can be made internally by using the submission form and/or by contacting the Title IX Coordinator/Equal Opportunity Officer.
Amy Gauthier, Ed.D.
Interim Title IX Coordinator/Equal Opportunity Officer
Wheelock Student Center #219
1500 N. Warner St.
Tacoma, WA 98416-1069
253.879.3439
titleix-eoo@pugetsound.edu
Alternate designees for assistance with intake reports that will be forwarded to the Title IX Coordinator/Equal Opportunity Officer:
Institutional Equity and Diversity
Senior Director, Office of Intercultural Engagement
1500 N Warner St. #1019
Tacoma, WA 98416
253.879.2827
vpdiversity@pugetsound.edu
Student Affairs
Dean of Students
1500 N. Warner St. #1069
Tacoma, WA 98416
253.879.3360
dos@pugetsound.edu
Human Resources
Director of Human Resources for People Experience
1500 N Warner St. #1064
Tacoma, WA 98416
253.879.3369
hr@pugetsound.edu
Student Accessibility and Accommodations
ADA/504 Coordinator (for disability related complaints or questions only)
1500 N. Warner St. #1096
Tacoma, WA 98416
253.879.3399
saa@pugetsound.edu
External Inquiries
Concerns about the university’s application of this Policy and compliance with certain federal civil rights laws may also be addressed to:
U.S. Department of Education
915 Second Avenue, Room 3310
Seattle, WA 98174-1099
Phone: 206.607.1600
Fax: 206.607.1601
ocr.seattle@ed.gov
ed.gov/OCR
Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
U.S. Department of Education
915 Second Avenue, Room 3310
Seattle, WA 98174-1099
Phone: 206.607.1600
Fax: 206.607.1601
ocr.seattle@ed.gov
ed.gov/OCR
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Seattle District Office
Federal Office Building
909 First Avenue, Suite 400
Seattle, WA 9814-1061
Phone: 800.669.4000
Fax: 206.220.6911
TTY: 800.669.6820
ASL video phone: 844.234.5122
eeoc.gov/contact