IWWUNH OFFICE FOR router-wit 19W BRYAN 5'11, SUITE 16211 DALLAS. TX Emit-amt) ?rams March 23. 2016 b6} b7A; WC Via first class mail and email *p R13: OCR Case No. 06162100 Paul Quinn College The 13.8. [Department of Education (Department). Of?ce for Civil Rights (OCR). Dallas Of?ce. has compieted its evaluation of your above-referenced complaint. which was received in this of?ce on? You alleged that Paul Quinn College (PQC) in Dallas. Texas: (1) Discriminated against you on the basis ofsex by failing to appropriately respond to vent re ort of sexaal harassment and sexual violence by another student during term failed to investigate the complaint and b7C and (2) to respond to your reports of general bullyinglbe? mi WC Iduring 6; 7C This agency is responsible for determining whether entities that receive or bene?t from Federal ?nancial assistance. either from the Department or from an agency that has delegated investigative authority to the Department, are in compliance with. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX). 20 U.S.C. 1681. and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106. which prohibit discrimination on the basis ofscx. PQC is a recipient of Federal ?nancial assistance from the Department. Therefore. OCR has jurisdictional authority to investigate allegations ot?discrimination filed against PQC under Title IX. Because we havejurisdietion over allegation l. which was timely tiied, OCR is opening for investigation the following legal issues: 1. Whether PQC provided prompt and equitable responses to complaints. reports. and/or other incidents of?scxual harassment or sexual violence. of which it had notice (knew about or should have known about) (including your complaint). as required by the Title IX implementing regulation at 34 ORR. ??106.8. 106.9. and 106.31. ?Nn- Definition-n! nt?t?muh?: In is missmn is to and {In} tiirgi?nmi? i tunpr'titit'r'nt-tss (11? mint atriumhmi-va mun! ensuring; aqua tit ww ?zed .gt Page 2 WC 1 2. Whether any failure by PQC to provide a prompt and equitable response allowed you or other students to be subjected to a sexually hostile environment that denied or limited students? ability to participate in or bene?t from programs. in violation ofthe Title IX implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. 106.8 and 106.31. Please note that opening an allegation for investigation in no way implies that OCR has made a determination with regard to its merit. During the investigation. OCR is a neutral fact- linder. collecting and analyzing relevant evidence from the complainant. the recipient, and other sources, as appropriate. OCR will ensure that its investigation is legally sufficient and is dispositive of the allegations in accordance with the provisions of Cast: Processing For your information. we have enclosed complain; Processing Procedures to provide you with an overview of our complaint evaluation and resolution process. PQC has been informed of your allegations and the issues to be investigated, and information and documentation have been requested. OCR. will contact you and PQC regarding the next step in the resolution process after it receives response. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact our office. With regard to allegation 2. you allegedlbei lwere bullying you b7A; b7C You stated that they and you did not allege that the bullying was based on your protected status under the laws enforced by OCR. Therefore. OCR determined that your allegation fails to state a violation oi'one of the laws enforced by OCR and is dismissing allegation 2 as of the date of this letter. Please note that there may be state or local laws relevant to your general bullying allegation. You may wish to consult with a private attorney, local legal aid organization, and/or state or local bar association, which may be able to assist you further. 0? b6; b7A; b7C With regard to allegation 2. this letter sets forth determination in an individual OCR case. This letter is not a formal statement of OCR policy and should not be relied upon, cited, or construed as such. OCR's formal policy statements are approved by a duly authorized OCR of?cial and made available to the public. You may have the right to file a private suit in Federal court whether or not OCR finds a violation. Please be advised that PQC may not harass. coerce, intimidate. or discriminate against any individual because he or she has filed a complaint or participated in the complaint resolution process. If this happens. you may tile another complaint alleging such treatment. Under the Freedom of Information Act. it may be necessary to release this document and related correspondence and records upon request. In the event that OCR receives such a request. we will seek to protect. to the extent provided by law, personally identifiable information. which. if released. could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter, you ma Camille Lacey, the civil rights attorney assigned to this case, at or aredgov. or Page 3 - Bringas, team leader designee, at (214) 661?9638 or We} contact me at (214) 66} 49674 or [inc]. b6; b7A; b7C You may also ?EffL?di?Alh'. Sincerelv. Gregory McUhee Program Manager Office for Civil Rights Dallas Of?ce