What conduct constitutes sexual harassment under Title IX?

• A. A polite compliment
• B. Unwelcome sexual conduct that is severe, pervasive, or quid pro quo, or creates a hostile environment that affects education access
• C. A disagreement about a class syllabus
• D. A student skipping class without consequence

Answer: (B)

Under Title IX, sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual conduct that is severe, pervasive, or part of a quid pro quo, or that creates a hostile environment that affects a student’s access to education. This means the behavior isn’t just inappropriate; it must be unwelcome and rise to a level that interferes with learning or participation in school activities. A single polite compliment, if welcome, doesn’t meet this standard. Harassment can include repeated unwanted sexual comments, jokes, gestures, or touching, or coercive requests for sexual favors that create a hostile or unsafe learning environment. Disagreements about a syllabus or skipping class are not sexual harassment.