Title IX

Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor (CUWAA) fully subscribes to all federal and state civil rights laws banning discrimination in private, church affiliated institutions of higher education, subject to the First Amendment. CUWAA will not illegally discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student in any education program or activity or applicant for admission on the basis of: race, color, sex, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other protected category under applicable local, state or federal law. CUWAA is a higher educational institution of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Therefore, In compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, CUWAA reserves the right to give preference in employment based on religion.  Further, Title IX statutory exemption 20 U.S.C. section 1681(a)(3); Educational Institutions of Religious Organization with Contrary Religious Tenets, permits separation based on sex and can prevent a person from participating in a program or activity consistent with the person’s gender identity: male and female athletic teams and sex-separate living facilities.  As a Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Institution, CUWAA qualifies for the statutory exemption for the scope of application of Title IX that is not congruent with CUWAA’s religious tenets.

Gender discrimination and sexual harassment (including sexual assault) are prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

CUWAA holds the Scriptures to be the inspired and inerrant Word of God, and is compelled by the Scriptures to be faithful to the religious tenets articulated therein. These religious tenets are set forth in the Constitution of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and illuminated by the Lutheran Confessions, which the University holds to be a true and binding exposition of Holy Scripture. To the extent that these tenets permit, the University remains committed to complying with the spirit and letter of federal, state, and local laws affording equal educational opportunity and nondiscrimination in admission to and participation in the University’s programs and activities. However, in some instances, Scripture, as understood by the Church and the University, requires the institution to act in ways that may conflict with certain regulations implementing Title IX, as interpreted by the OCR and other state and local laws. This being understood, the following Statement of Purpose is set forth.

The purpose of CUWAA’s Title IX Compliance Program is to foster an environment in mind, body and spirit so that all campus stakeholders can enjoy the programs and activities offered by CUWAA free from all forms of gender-based harassment, exploitation, or intimidation, including sexual assault. This commitment, as outlined above in the “Biblical Perspective,” is fulfilled by complying with the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and all applicable federal, state and local laws.