UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE FOR RIGHTS 32 OLD SLIP. 26? FLOOR NEW YORK. NEW YORK 10005 TIMOTHY C. J. BLANCIIARD DIRECTOR NEW YORK OFFICE May 22. 2015 Nonresponsive Re: Case No. 02-15-2276 New York University Polytechnic School of Engineering Dear? On February 26, 2015, the US. Department of Education, New York Of?ce for Civil Rights (OCR) received the above-referenced complaint you ?led against the New York University Polytechnic School of Engineering. You alle ed that the University discriminated against you, on the bases of your national origin land sex, by failing to provide a prompt and equitable response to the sexual misconduct allegations that were made against you during academic years and Nonresponswe OCR has determined that the allegation is appropriate for investigation. OCR is responsible for enforcing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), as amended, 42 U.S.C. ?2000d e_t and its implementing regulation at 34 CPR. Part 100, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin in programs and activities receiving ?nancial assistance from the US. Department of Education (the Department). OCR is also responsible for enforcing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), as amended, 20 U.S.C. ?1681 e_t and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in programs and activities receiving ?nancial assistance from the Department. The University is a recipient of ?nancial assistance from the Department. Therefore, OCR has jurisdictional authority to investigate this complaint under Title VI and Title IX. Because OCR has determined that it has jurisdiction and that the complaint was ?led in a timely manner, it is opening the allegation for investigation. Please note that opening the allegation for investigation in no way implies that OCR has made a determination with regard to its merits. During the investigation, OCR is a neutral fact-?nder, collecting and analyzing relevant evidence from the complainant. the recipient, and other sources, as appropriate. OCR will ensure that its investigation is legally suf?cient and is dispositive of the allegations, in accordance with the provisions of Article of Case Processing Manual. The Department ofliducation's mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global eompetittveneas by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal Page 2 of 2 Case No. 02-15-2276 goal is the prompt and appropriate resolution of the allegations contained in a complaint. OCR offers, when appropriate, an liarly Complaint. Resolution (ECR) process, similar to mediation, to facilitate the voluntary resolution of complaints by providing an early opportunity for the parties involved to resolve the allegation(s). Some information about the ECR process is contained in the publication entitled, Complaint Processing Procedures,? which was enclosed with previous letter to you acknowledging your complaint. This information is also on. website at Also, When appropriate, a complaint may be resolved before the conclusion of an investigation after the recipient expresses an interest to OCR to resolve the complaint. in such cases, OCR obtains a resolution agreement signed by the recipient. This agreement must be aligned with the complaint allegations or the information. obtained during the investigation, and it must. be consistent with applicable regulations. Additional information about this voluntary resolution process may be found in the publication, Complaint Processing Procedures,? which was enclosed with previous letter to you, acknowledging your complaint. This information is also on Website at Please be advised that the University may not harass, coerce, intimidate, or discriminate against any individual because he or she has ?led a complaint or participated in the complaint resolution process. It" this happens, you may file another complaint alleging such treatment. tinder 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, it will seek to protect, to the extent provided by law, personally identi?able information, which, it? released, could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. you have any questions, please contact Alexander Artz, Compliance 'l?eam Attorney, at (646) 428?390l or alcxantler.artsziiedaoy; Marykate O?Neil, Compliance Team Attorney, at (646) 428-3814 or inarvloiteoneil-z?iiteduov; or me, at (646) 428?380l or Sincerely, Nadia Gill Compliance Team Leader UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS 32 01.1) SLIP. 26?? FLOOR NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10005 TIMOTHY (I J. BLANCHARD DIRECTOR NEW YORK OFFICE May 22, 2015 Katepalli R. Sreenivasan President New York University Polytechnic School of Engineering 6 MetroTech Center Brooklyn. New York 11201 Re: Case No. 02-15-2276 New York University Polytechnic School of Engineering Dear Dr. Sreenivasan: On February 25, 2015, the US. Department of Education, New York Of?ce for Civil Rights (OCR) received the above-referenced complaint ?led against the New York University Polytechnic School of Engineering (the University). The complainant alleged that the University discriminated against- on the bases of. national origin and sex, by failing to provide a prompt and equitable response to the sexual misconduct allegations that were made against-during academic years N0nresponswe and lNonresDonSive (Allegation 1). OCR has determined that the allegation is appropriate for investigation. Additionally, OCR will investigate whether the University failed to and equitably respond to complaints, reports and/or incidents of sexual violence of which it had notice (Allegation 2). OCR is responsible for enforcing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), as amended, 42 U.S.C. ?2000d et seg., and its implementing regulation at 34 CPR. Part 100, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin in programs and activities receiving ?nancial assistance from the US. Department of Education (the Department). OCR is also responsible for enforcing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), as amended. 20 U.S.C. ?1681 et seg._. and its implementing regulation at 34 CPR. Part 106, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in programs and activities receiving ?nancial assistance from the Department. The University is a recipient of ?nancial assistance from the Department. Therefore, OCR has jurisdictional authority to investigate this complaint under Title VI and Title IX. Because OCR has determined that it has jurisdiction and that the complaint was filed in a timely manner, it is opening the allegations for investigation. Please note that opening the allegations for investigation in no way implies that OCR has made a determination with regard to their merits. During the investigation, OCR is a neutral fact-?nder, collecting and analyzing relevant The Department ofliducatlonir mission I: to promote student and preparation for global by foster/rig educational excellence and amurlog equal access. Page 2 ole Case No. 02-15-2276 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 ol?Article ill oi'OCR?s Case Processing Manual. Enclosed is a document entitled, Complaint Processing Procedures.? This document will provide you with an overview of complaint evaluation, investigation, and resolution process. OCR will collect only material needed to investigate this complaint and will take all proper precautions to protect the identity ol?any individuals named in documents. The regulation implementing Title Vl, at 34 100.6(b) and requires that a recipient of federal financial assistance make available to OCR information that may be necessary for it to determine whether a recipient is in compliance with the regulations it enforces. This requirement is incorporated by reference in the regulation implementing Title IX, at 34 CPR. 106.7]. This information is also being requested pursuant to 34 C.F.R. Please submit the information listed on the enclosed data request to OCR within twenty (20) days of" the date of this letter or OCR may conduct an onsite tile review in order to obtain this information in a timely manner. goal is the prompt and appropriate resolution o'l?thc allegations contained in a complaint. OCR offers, when appropriate, an liar] Complaint Resolution process, similar to mediation, to facilitate the voluntary resolution of complaints by providing an early opportunity for the parties involved to resolve the allegation(s). Some information about the l-lCR process is contained in the enclosure to this letter entitled, Complaint Processing Procedures,? and on website at Also, when appropriate, a complaint may be resolved before the conclusion of an investigation alter the recipient expresses an interest to OCR to resolve the complaint. In such cases, OCR obtains a resolution agreement signed by the recipient. This agreement must be aligned with the complaint allegations or the information obtained during the investigation, and it must be consistent with applicable regulations. Additional about this voluntary resolution process may be found in the enclosure entitled, Complaint Processing Procedures,? and on website at af?x-vww2 .cd. aow?ahoun?o rc pm . I ll. Please be advised that the [.fniversity may not harass, coerce, intimidate, or discriminate against any individual because he or she has ?led a complaint or participated in the complaint resolution process. If this happens, the complainant may ?le 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, it will seek to protect, to the extent provided by law, personally identifiable information, which, if released, coald reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion ol? personal privacy. Page 3 off) Case No. 02-15-2276 OCR staff will contact you within twenty (20) days of the date of this letter to discuss the complaint resolution process. In the interim: if you have any questions, please contact Alexander A117, Compliance 'l?cam Attorney, at (646) 428?390l 0r Marykate O?Neil, Compliance Team Attorney, at (646) 428?3814 or or me, at (646) 428?3 801 or SincerelV. Nadja Compliance cam Leader Page 4 0f6 Case No. 02-15-2276 New York Universih Data Reguest Case 0. 02?15?2276 Polvteclmic School of Engineering (the University} Nonresponsive (the complainant) Due Date: 1.): c1530 a?D?l 5 _2 2 6 (b Page 6 Case No. 02?15?2276