UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS 32 OLD SLIP, 26? FLOOR NEW YORK. NEW YORK 10005 TIMOTHY C. J. BLANCIIARD DIRECTOR NEW YORK OFFICE September 30, 2015 Nonresponsiv Nonresponsive Nonresponsive I Re: Case No. 02-15-2412 Princeton University Dw- On August 4, 2015, the US. Department of Education, New York Of?ce for Civil Rights (OCR) received the above-referenced complaint you filed against Princeton University. You alleged that the University discriminated against you, on the basis of your sex, by failing to and equitably respond to a complaint of sexual assault that you ?led with the University on or about N0nrespon5ive (Allcgation 1). You also alle ed that the University discriminated against you, on the basis of your national origin ?omesl?ons, by failing to permit you to clarify evidence that you submitted during the Title IX invest1gat1on/hearing process (Allegation 2). Further, you alleged that the University retaliated against you for ?ling complaints related to your allegation of sexual assault, by preventing you from attending the [Nonresponswe I programs and activities during spring 2015; and expelling you trom the Universny on or aboutm(Allega?on 3). Additionally, you alleged that the University discriminated against you, on the bases of your political and religious views, and disabilities, by failing to provide you with academic adjustments for two mid-term exams in March 2015 (Allegation 4). OCR has determined that it will investigate Allegation 1, 2, 3 and however, OCR will not investigate Allegation 4(a) for the reasons set forth below. With respect to Allegation you alleged that the University discriminated against you, on the bases of your political and religious views, by failing to provide you with academic adjustments for two mid-term exams in March 2015. OCR enforces federal laws that prohibit discrimination on the bases of race, color, national origin, disability, sex, and age. OCR also is responsible for enforcing the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act. OCR has no jurisdiction to investigate allegations of discrimination on the basis of political or religious views. Accordingly, OCR has dismissed Allegation As previously stated, however, OCR will investigate Allegations 1, 2, 3 and The Department of Education '5 mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. Page 2 of3 Case No. 02-15-2412 OCR is 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 US. Department of Education (the Department). OCR also 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 or national origin in programs and activities receiving ?nancial assistance from the Department. Additionally, OCR is responsible for enforcing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), as amended, 29 U.S.C. 794, and its implementing regulation at 34 CPR. Part 104, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability 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 IX, Title VI, and Section 504. The regulation implementing Title IX, at 34 CPR. 106.71 incorporates by reference 34 CPR. 100.7(e) of the regulation implementing Title VI, which provides that: No recipient or other person shall intimidate, threaten, coerce or discriminate against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by regulations enforced by OCR or because one has made a complaint, testi?ed, assisted or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding or hearing held in connection with a complaint. Because OCR has determined that it has jurisdiction and that the complaint was ?led in a timely manner, it is opening Allegations l, 2, 3 and 4(b) for investigation. Please note that opening the allegations for investigation in no way implies that OCR has made a determination with regard to the 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. goal is the prompt and appropriate resolution of the allegations contained in a complaint. OCR offers, when appropriate, an Early 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 Page 3 of3 Case No. 02-15-2412 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. If this happens, you 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 identi?able information, which, if released, could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. If you have any questions, please contact Stacy Bobbitt, Compliance Team Investigator, at (646) 428-3823 or stacy.bobbitt@cd.gov; Jocelyn M. Panicali, Compliance Team Attorney, at (646) 428-3796 or or me, at (646) 428-3801 or Sincerely, [0-63th (431 Nadja Allen Gill Compliance Team Leader UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS 32 01.0 SLIP. 26?? FLOOR NEW YORK 10005 TIMOTHY C. .I. BLANCHARD DIRECTOR NEW YORK OFFICE September 30, 2015 Christopher L. Eisgruber President Princeton University Of?ce of the President 1 Nassau Hall Princeton, New Jersey 08544 Re: Case No. 02-15-2412 Princeton University Dear President Eisgruber: On August 4, 2015, the US. Department of Education, New York Of?ce for Civil Rights (OCR) received the above-referenced complaint ?led against Princeton University. The complainant alleged that the University discriminated against him, on the basis of sex, by failing to and equitably respond to a complaint of sexual assault he ?led with the University on or about Nonresponsive (Allegation The complainant further alleged that the University discriminated against him, on the basis of his national origin?, by failing to permit him to clarify evidence he submitted during the Title IX investigatio earlng process (Allegation 2). Additionally, the complainant alleged that the University retaliated against him for ?ling complaints related to his allegation of sexual assault, by preventing him from attending the N0mesponswe programs and activities during spring 2015; and expelling him from the University on or aboutl"lonresmnSive (Allegation 3). The complainant also alleged that the University discriminated against him, on the basis of his disabilities, by failing to provide him with academic adjustments for two mid-term exams in March 2015 (Allegation 4). OCR has determined that it will investigate the allegations. OCR is 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 C.F.R. Part 106, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in programs and activities receiving ?nancial assistance from the US. Department of Education (the Department). OCR also is responsible for enforcing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), as amended, 42 U.S.C. ?2000d e_t m? and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 100, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in programs and activities receiving ?nancial assistance from the Department. Additionally, OCR is responsible for enforcing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), as amended, 29 U.S.C. 794, and its implementing The Department of Education's mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. Page 2 of5 Case No. 02-15-2412 regulation at 34 CPR. Part 104, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability 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 IX, Title VI, and Section 504. The regulation implementing Title IX, at 34 C.F.R. 106.71, incorporates by reference 34 C.F.R. 100.7(e) of the regulation implementing Title VI, which provides that: No recipient or other person shall intimidate, threaten, coerce or discriminate against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by regulations enforced by OCR or because one has made a complaint, testified, assisted or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding or hearing held in connection with a complaint. Because OCR has determined that it has jurisdiction and that the complaint was ?led 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 the 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. 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 of any individuals named in documents. The regulation implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, at 34 C.F.R. 100.6(b) and requires that a recipient of federal ?nancial 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. 106.71, and Section 504, at 34 CPR. 104.61. This information is also being requested pursuant to 34 CPR. 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 ?le review in order to obtain this information in a timely manner. goal is the prompt and appropriate resolution of the allegations contained in a complaint. OCR offers, when appropriate, an Early 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 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 after the recipient expresses an interest to OCR to resolve the complaint. In such cases, OCR Page 3 of5 Case No. 02-15-2412 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 enclosure entitled, Complaint Processing Procedures,? and 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. 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 identi?able information, which, if released, could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. 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, Stacy Bobbitt, Compliance Team Investigator, at 646-428-3823 or stacy.bobbitt@cd.nov; Jocelyn Panicali, Compliance Team Attorney, at 646-428-3796 or or or me, at 646-428-3801 or Sincerely, Mua?/ 5/ JZchub?' (9n Nadja Allen Gill Compliance Team Leader cc: Sankar Suryanarayan, Esq. Encl. Page 4 of5 Case No. 02?15-2412 Data Request Case No. 02-15-2412 Complainant- Nonresponsive Data Due: Page 5 of5 Case No. 02-15-2412