1

if?"

Jack M. Wilson

President

University of Massachusetts

225 Franklin Street, 33rd Floor

Boston, MA 02110 JUN 3 0 20?

(In reply, please refer to case number 01-11-6001)

Dear President Wilson:

The Office 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 financial
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 parents, advocacy groups, the media, and
community organizations.

I write to advise you that OCR has selected the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (University) for a
compliance review under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. Section 1681 et seq.
(Title IX). Title IX and its implementing regulation, 34 C.F.R. Part 106, prohibit discrimination on the basis
of sex in education programs or activities receiving Federal ?nancial assistance from the Department.
The University receives funds from the Department and is therefore subject to Title IX and the
regulation.

This compliance review will entail an examination of the University's handling of complaints of sexual
violence and sexual harassment under its procedures to determine if the University has responded
immediately and appropriately, with particular emphasis on complaints of sexual assault.

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 throughout the University.

The OCR Boston enforcement office will conduct this compliance review. Michael Burns, Acting OCR
Director in Boston, and members of his staff, will contact you 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.

Page 2 of 2 President Wilson

If your staff has any questions regarding the investigation, piease do not hesitate to contact Mr. Burns at
{617) 289-0012.

Thank you far all you have done and continue to do to improve our nation?s colieges and
universities.

Sincereiy,

2;

Russiynn Ali
Assistant Secretary for Civii Rights

Cc: Michael Burns, Acting Director, Of?ce for Civil Rights - Boston

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Withheid pursuant to exemption

of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act

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Withheid pursuant to exemption

of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act