DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

OFFICE FOR CIVIL REST-115

 

'1 Hi: ASSIST ?Tr?

Patrick K. Gamble

President

University of Alaska System MAY 5 2n"!
PO. Box 755000

Fairbanks, Alaska 997756000

(In reply, please refer to case number 10-14-6001)
Dear President Gamble:

The Of?ce for Civil Rights (OCR) ofthe US. Department of Education (Department) enforces Federal
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination on the bases of race, color, national origin, sex, disability,
and age by educational institutions that receive Federal ?nancial assistance. OCR is responsible

for investigating individual complaints of discrimination and is also required to conduct periodic
proactive compliance reviews of recipient practices to determine whether they comply with the iaws that
OCR enforces.

Compliance reviews are designed to address systemic issues and ensure that violations are readily
identi?ed and eliminated. Compliance review sites are selected based on various sources of
information, including statistical data and information from parents, advocacy groups, the media, and
community organizations.

I write to advise you that OCR has selected the University of Alaska System (University) for a
compliance review under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. 1631 et seq. and
its implementing reguiation, 34 C.F.R. Part 106, which prohibit discrimination based on sex in education
programs or activities operated by recipients of Federal ?nancial assistance. The University receives
funds from the Department and is therefore is subject to Title and the regulation.

This compliance review will examine the University?s handling of complaints and reportsof sexual
harassment, including sexual violence, to determine ifthe University has responded and
effectively, with particular emphasis on complaints of sexual assault. It should be emphasized that at this
time OCR has reached no conclusion as to whether a violation of any federal law exists.

US. Secretary ofEducation Arne Duncan is committed to ensuring that all students are afforded equal
educational opportunities. We believe the information and any results from this compliance review will
have a direct and positive impact on students at the University. We look forward to working with you in
this review.

Seattle enforcement of?ce will conduct this compliance review. Gary D. Jackson, 
Director in Seattle, will contact officials at the University within a week of the date of this letter to make
arrangements for the next steps in the compliance review process, including requesting access to data and
personnel.

400 DC 20202?1100


The Department of Education?s passion is to promote student achieve-mom and preparation for global 
it}; fostering educatrrmai? audience and ensuring aqua} access.

Page 2 - President Patrick K. Gambie

Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at (202} 4536900. If

your staff has any questions regarding the investigation, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Jackson at

(206) 607-1600.

Thank you for all you have done -- and continue to do -- to improve our nation?s universities.
Sincerely,

awe

Catherine E. Lhamon
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

cc: Gary D. Jackson, Director
Of?ce for Civil Rights - Seattle