WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has opened two new Title IX investigations in Indiana, one at Purdue University and another at Hanover College.
According to documents obtained by Call 6 Investigates, the federal Office for Civil Rights opened the investigations at Purdue and Hanover on August 5.
Title IX requires universities to investigate reports of sexual misconduct, including rape and sexual harassment, on campus.
The reasons behind federal Title IX investigations are typically not made public before they’re resolved.
Rhonda Burch, spokesperson for Hanover College, said Monday the federal investigation is based on a student complaint.
“Hanover College will offer any records they need and will cooperate fully,” said Burch. “We will make sure the allegations are thoroughly investigated.”
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The Office for Civil Rights currently has open investigations at seven institutions in Indiana – one at Purdue University, one at Hanover College, three at IU Bloomington, two at Vincennes University and one each at Grace College and Theological Seminary, Notre Dame and Valparaiso University.
More than 200 institutions currently have pending Title IX sexual violence investigations by the federal Office for Civil Rights.
The Office for Civil Rights does not disclose details on cases while they’re under investigation, however, resolution agreements may be disclosed once a case is resolved.
Alysa Christmas Rollock, VP for ethics and compliance and system-wide Title IX coordintor for Purdue, released the following statement to RTV6 on Monday:
“The Department of Education Office for Civil Rights has notified Purdue University that it is beginning an investigation of a complaint that ‘in the 2015-2016 academic year, the University subjected a female undergraduate student ... to discrimination based on sex,’ raising the question of ‘whether the University fails to promptly and equitably respond to complaints, reports and/or incidents of sexual violence of which it had notice.’
“We are confident in the policies and procedures we have in place to address difficult matters such as this. While federal law and privacy rules prevent us from discussing the specifics of any case, we believe the Department of Education review will confirm the effectiveness of our program and conclude that Purdue University acted appropriately in this particular matter."
Universities are facing increased federal scrutiny and public expectations when it comes to how they handle sexual misconduct.
They risk losing federal funding if they fail to comply with Title IX requirements.
Find more resources on Title IX investigations below:
- President Obama’s task force on college sexual violence.
- OCR’s April 2014 sexual violence guidance.
- OCR’s April 2011 Dear Colleague Letter addressing sexual violence on campus.
- Sex discrimination – Your rights.
- Sexual harassment resources.
- Title IX “Reading Room.”
- Frequently asked questions about sex discrimination.
- NotAlone.gov with help for students and schools.
