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 June 23, 2016 Lee C. Bollinger President Columbia University 202 Low Library 535 West 116?? Street. Mail Code 4309 New York. New York 10027 Re: Case No. 02-16-2155 Columbia University Dear President Bollinger: On March 1, 2016, the US. Department of Education, New York Of?ce for Civil Rights (OCR) received the above-referenced complaint ?led against Columbia University (the University). The complainant alleged that the University failed to respond and equitably to com laints of sexual assault ?led on behalf of her client (the Student) on? and Responsive and an incident of alleged retaliatory harassment the accusel=_ student (Student 1) reported by. or on behalf of the Studentresult, the Student was subjected to a sexually hostile environment. OCR has determined that this allegation is appropriate for investigation. OCR is 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 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 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 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-?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 allegation, in accordance with the provisions OfArticle of Case Processing Manual. The De artn tent of Education 1.5 to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. Page 2 of 5 President Lee C. Bollinger 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. To facilitate efforts to investigate this complaint, OCR requests that, within twenty (20) days of the date of this letter. you provide to OCR the information listed on the enclosed data request. If OCR does not receive the data in a timely manner. OCR may conduct a site visit to obtain the data. The regulation implementing Title of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. at 34 C.F.R. 100.6 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. This information also is being requested pursuant to 34 C.F.R. 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 EC 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 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 filed a complaint or participated in the complaint resolution process. If this happens. the complainant may file another complaint alleging such treatment. Under the Freedom of Information Act. 5 U.S.C. 552. 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. could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Page 3 of5 President Lee C. Bollinger OCR staff will contact you within twenty (20) days to discuss the allegations and the complaint resolution process. In the interim. if you have any questions, please contact Kathleen Ryder. Compliance Team Attomey. at (646) 428-3825 or or Gary Kiang, Senior Compliance Team Attomey. at (646) 428-3761 or can .kiarm'rieduox?. Sincerely. Felice A. Bowen Compliance Team Leader Encl. Page 4 OH President Lee C. Bollinger Data Reguest Columbia University Case No. 02-16-2155 Non Res-onsive the Student) ?(swdem I) Data Due: Page 5 of5 President Lee C. Bollinger UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS 32 OLD SLIP. 26TH FLOOR NEW YORK, NEW YORK TIMOTIIY C. J. BLANCHARD DIRECTOR NEW YORK OFFICE June 23, 2016 Non Responsive Re: Case No. 02-16-2155 Columbia University Non Dear . On March I, 2016. the U.S. Department of Education, New York Of?ce for Civil Rights (OCR) received the above-referenced complaint you ?led against Columbia University. You alleged that the University failed to respond and equitably to complaints of sexual assault ?led on behall'of your client (the Student) on [Mon Responsiv andINon and an incident of alleged retaliatory harassment the accused student (Student 1) reported by. or on behalf of the Student. out and RESPONSWE and as a result. the Student was subjected to a sexually hostile environment. OCR has determined that this allegation is appropriate for investigation. OCR is responsible for enforcing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), as amended. 20 U.S.C. 1681 ?e_q2 and its implementing regulation at 34 CPR. Part 106. which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in programs and activities receiving financial 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. Because OCR has determined that it has jurisdiction and that the complaint was ?led in a timely manner. it is opening your 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 merit. During the investigation, OCR is a neutral fact-tinder. 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 allegation. in accordance with the provisions of Article of Case Processing Manual. . . . . . The Department of [:ducation IS to promote Student achievement and . . preparation for global competitiveness fostering educational excellence and ensuring qua! access. 2 f7 Non Responsive age 0 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 EC 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 http://u It is unlawful to harass or intimidate an individual who has ?led a complaint or participated in actions to secure protected rights. If this should occur, you may file a separate complaint with OCR alleging such harassment or intimidation. Under the Freedom of Information Act. 5 U.S.C. 552, it may be necessary to release this letter 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 that. if released. could constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. OCR will communicate with you periodically regarding the status of your complaint. In the interim. if you have any questions. please contact Kathleen Ryder. Compliance Team Attorney. at 646) 428-3 825 or or Gary Kiang, Senior Compliance Team Attomey. at (646) 428-3761 or garv.kianu'u'cdgov. Sincerel . Fe?lice A. Bowen Compliance Team Leader