NITED STATES EDLCATION (?lVll 1: HI I) \l 11?. 3h I \l \l (. YORK l( 1" December 15, 2010 Shirley M. Tilghman President Princeton University 1 Nassau Hall Princeton, New Jersey 08544 Re: Case No. 02-11-2025 Princeton University Dear President Tilghman: On November 10, 2010, the U.S. Department of Education, New York Ollice for Civil Rights (OCR) received the above-referenced complaint ?led against Princeton University. The complainant alleged that the University discriminated against the Student on the basis 0 _ex, by failing to respond appropriately to the complaint of sexual assault the Student made on or about?Allegation 1). Additionally, the complainant alleged that the University discriminates on the basis of sex, by failing to adopt and publish grievance procedures that provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of student complaints of sex discrimination/harassment, including sexual assault (Allegation 2). OCR has determined that the allegations are appropriate for investigation. OCR is responsible for enforcing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), as amended. 20 .S.C . 1681 _e_t and its implementing regulation at 34 .F.R. Part 106, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in programs and activities receiving ?nancial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education (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 these 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 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 of Education '5 mission is to promote student achievement and preparationtbr global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. Page 2 of 4 - President Tilghman Enclosed is a document entitled, Complaint Processing Procedures." This document will provide you with an overview of complaint evaluation 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 CPR. 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. This information is also being requested pursuant to 34 CPR. Please submit the information listed on the enclosed data request to OCR within ?fteen (15) days of the date of this letter. It is unlawful to harass or intimidate an individual who has ?led a complaint or participated in actions to secure protected rights. 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 staff will contact you within thirty (30) days of the date of this letter to discuss the allegations and the complaint resolution process. In the interim, if you have any questions, please contact Stacy Bobbitt, Compliance Team Investigator, at (646) 428-3823 or Slut}l?vl?l?illggulgmz Jocelyn Frank, Compliance Team Attorney, at (646) 428-3796 or David Hensel, Compliance Team Attorney, at (646) 428-3778 or a or me, at (646) 428-3801 or nadja.r.allen.gill@ed.gov. Sincerely, N/ciia