1? 0F 06?, a. O. hag-age. 0 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS Dr. Thomas Apple MAY 2 3 2M3 Chancellor University of Hawai?i at Manoa 2500 Campus Road Honolulu, Hawai?i 96822 Re: University of Hawai?i at Manoa OCR Reference No. 1013600l Dear Chancellor Apple: The Of?ce for Civil Rights (OCR), the civil rights enforcement arm of the U.S. Department of Education (Department). implements Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis 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 laws that OCR enforces. Compliance reviews are designed to address systemic issues and ensure that violations are readily identified and eliminated. Compliance review sites are selected based on various sources of information. including statistical data and information from students and parents, advocacy groups, the media, and community organizations. I write to advise you that OCR has selected the University of Hawai?i at Manoa (University) for a compliance review under: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), 20 U.S.C. ?l681, and its implementing regulation, 34 C.F.R. Part [06, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity operated by recipients of Federal ?nancial assistance from the Department. The University is a public education system that receives funds from the Department and is therefore is subject to Title IX and the regulations. Speci?cally, this compliance review will assess whether the University has responded effectively to notice of possible sexual harassment and violence, including by examining the University?s handling of complaints of sexual assault and other sexual harassment under its various procedures and its coordination with local law enforcement authorities: whether the University has adopted, published and implemented grievance procedures that provide for the prompt and equitable resolution ofcomplaints alleging sexual harassment and sexual violence: and whether the University has properly designated a Title IX Coordinator and provided notice of that designation. It should be emphasized that at this time OCR has reached no conclusions as to whether a violation of any federal law exists. U.S. Secretary of Education 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 of?cials at the University within a week ofthe date of this letter to make 400 MARYLAND AVE. DC 202024 ?zed .gov The Department of Ed ucntiOn '5 mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global aimpetitit'eness by fostering educational and ensuring equal access. Page 2 - Dr. Thomas Apple, Chancellor arrangements for the next steps in the compliance review process, including requesting access to data and personnel. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at (202) 453-5900. If your staff members have 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, .MW Seth Galanter Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights cc: Gary D. Jackson, Director, Of?ce for Civil Rights - Seattle June 11, 2013 Dr. Thomas Apple Chancellor University of Hawaii at Manoa 2500 Campus Road Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 Re: University of Hawaii at Manoa OCR Reference No. 10136001 Dear Dr. Apple: By letter dated May 28, 2013, Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Seth Galanter of the U.S. Department of Education, Of?ce for Civil Rights (OCR) noti?ed the University of Hawaii at Manoa (university) that OCR was initiating a proactive review to evaluate the university?s compliance with title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. 20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq., and its implementing regulation at 34 CPR. Part 106, with respect to sexual harassment]. Speci?cally, the compliance review will examine whether the university has responded effectively to notice of possible sexual harassment and violence, including by examining the university?s handling of complaints of sexual assault and other sexual harassment under its various procedures and its coordination with local law enforcement authorities; whether the university has adopted, published and implemented grievance procedures that provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging sexual harassment and sexual violence; and whether the university has properly designated a Title IX Coordinator and provided notice of that designation. WXA) Throughout this data request. the term ?sexual harassment? is intended to include claims of sexual assault and acts of sexual violence, such as rape, gross sexual imposition, etc. Page 2 OCR Reference No. 10136001 Page 3 OCR Reference No. 10136001 Page 4 OCR Reference No. 10136001 Page 5 OCR Reference No. 10136001 OCR is committed to prompt and effective service. If you have any questions. you may contact me by telephone at (206) 607-1633, or by e-mail at shirley.oliver@ed.gov. Sincerely. l\ Shirley Oliver Senior Equal Opportunity Specialist