Office for Protected Rights

The Office for Protected Rights (OPR) promotes student success by administering the University's Policy Against Harassment, Discrimination, Sexual Violence and Retaliation, and the University’s Equal Opportunity policy statement. OPR oversees the University’s compliance with federal and state laws, including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX and ADA, that prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, sex, pregnancy, religion, color, age, national origin, veteran and/or military status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or parental status.

OPR is the campus home of the Title IX Coordinators. Title IX is the federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against students based on sex and gender in educational programs and activities. Title IX requires that Cleveland State University ensure that all students have equal access to education, regardless of gender, gender expression, sexual orientation or gender identity. Sexual harassment and sexual violence (including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, relationship violence, domestic abuse and stalking) negatively impact students' academic success and, as a result, are considered forms of gender discrimination prohibited by Title IX. OPR works with other campus offices and members of the campus community to proactively prevent, investigate and respond to reported gender discrimination, sexual harassment or sexual violence, whether it occurs on or off campus, when it affects a student.

OPR investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, sexual violence and retaliation, and takes formal and informal measures to eliminate such conduct and its effects. To do this, OPR issues academic and other accommodations so students have the same opportunity to succeed as students not encountering these experiences. Some of the ways in which OPR assists students is by providing them with information, resources (counseling, medical, advocacy, safety planning and other) and connections to available resources; and issuing accommodations (no contact directives, alternative schedules or course sections, change of living arrangements, extended deadlines, alternative assignments, new quiz or exam dates, excused absences, late drop or withdrawals without negative impact, safety and protective measures, among others).