Rewinding to 2020: Will the Reversal of Biden’s Title IX Affect Elmhurst

Sophomore Robin Leonard stands with pride flags looking at Elmhurst University’s Cemetery

The Trump administration’s formal retraction of Title IX protections established under former president Joe Biden has changed federal mandates for colleges and universities, sparking questions about how Trump’s reversal will affect student and school policy.

Title IX, which was passed in 1972, prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation, federal funding, as well as any form of aggression, harassment, and abuse towards students in education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. 

The law has changed multiple times in the past five years. In 2024 the Biden administration rewrote Title IX regulations by expanding them to include discrimination based upon any form of sexual misconduct, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Natalie Brouwer, EU’s Title IX Coordinator, says changes won’t affect campus. 

“Illinois law already makes discrimination and harassment based on gender identity and sexual orientation illegal,” Brouwer said. 

Still, some students remain apprehensive.

The U.S. Department of Education officially replaced the expanded Title IX rules that were changed under the Biden administration, removing explicit federal anti-discrimination laws and protections for LGBTQ+ students as well as narrower sexual misconduct due process regulations on Sept. 28. 

“It worries me a little bit, especially about federal funding for student services,” said Robin Leonard, a sophomore student at EU. “If I were to transfer somewhere else if the Title IX conditions don’t protect me, if anything were to happen, it’s scary.”

With all these condensed federal protections, concerns are shifting to how this new legal landscape impacts marginalized students on campus. 

“I think it speaks to our current political climate and how we’re kind of not giving it our all to protect certain minority groups right now,” graduate student Casimir Hissen said in response to the Title IX regulation changes. 

EU’s standard policy, which protects 3170 undergraduate students, includes access to equal opportunity for all. The policy also protects students from discrimination based on their race or their sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation. This law also includes protection over citizens, veterans, national origin, and disabled individuals. 

While the university has established guidelines for disclosure mandates, every student’s experience with the Title IX framework is different. For students who haven’t interacted with the reporting system, the protocols still remain as a preventative measure.

“I think I’ve never had an experience where I’d need to report something to Title IX and I don’t know anyone who has but I’d hope that the support is available,” said Leonard.

The EU campus has confidential support in several different types through the services of The Wellness Center, which is home to student Health Services and Counseling Services, as well as the Chaplain that offers a safe space to talk about sexual harassment and violence, according to Brouwer. EU also offers 24/7 telehealth support through UWill. In addition local, state, and nation non-profit organizations offer free support on the Title IX website. 

There are many categories that can be filed under Title IX report such as dating and domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking as well as sexual harassment can be filed. Other reports can be submitted regarding sex discrimination, pay equity, and sports equity. 

“The Title IX Coordinator offers students the chance to meet or talk on evenings and weekends to provide support outside of regular office hours,” Brouwer said.