UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION REGION ILLINOIS OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS INDIANA IOWA 500 WEST MADISON ST., SUITE 1475 MINNESOTA CHICAGO, 11. 606614544 NORTH DAKOTA WISCONSIN September 16, 2014 Dr. Teresa L. Amott, President Knox College Of?ce of the President 2 East South Street Galesburg, IL 61401 -4999 Re: #05-14-2504 (new) and #05-14-2047 Dear Dr. Amott: This letter is to notify you that the US. Department of Education (Department), Of?ce for Civil Rights (OCR) has evaluated the above-referenced complaint ?led with OCR on August 27, 2014, against Knox College (College), alleging discrimination on the basis of sex and retaliation. We conducted the evaluation in accordance with Case Processing Manual to determine whether to open the complaint for investigation. We have determined that we have the authority to investigate the complaint. Speci?cally, the Complaint alleges that _he College: 1. Discriminated against-has ed on sex when it failed to afford - a rompt and eqmtable grievance meme? Retaliated a ainst or com lainin aboutth Coll e? process. OCR is responsible for enforcing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), 20 U.S.C. 1681, and its implementing regulation, 34 CPR. Part 106, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity operated by a recipient of Federal ?nancial assistance. Title IX also prohibits retaliation. As a recipient of Federal ?nancial assistance from the Department, the College is subject to these laws. Additional information about the laws OCR enforces is available on our website at OCR has determined that it has jurisdiction and that these allegations are timely. With respect to Allegation on December 3, 2013, OCR received a complaint against the The Department of Education?s mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. gov Page 2 College (OCR docket that raised a substantially identical allegation as contained in the instant complaint. Under Case Processing Manual, complaints ?led by more than one person that raise substantially identical allegations against the same recipient may be treated as one complaint and assigned one case number or, if received later, incorporated into an existing complaint. OCR has determined that it will investigate Allegation #1 under the existing OCR docket #05-14?2047. With respect to Allegation OCR is opening the allegation for investigation under docket #0544?2504. 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- finder, 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 the Case Processing Manual. OCR offers, when appropriate, an Early Complaint Resolution (ECR) process 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 BCR process is in the enclosure to this letter entitled Complaint Processing Procedures.? In addition, when appropriate, a complaint may be resolved before the conclusion of an investigation after the recipient asks OCR to resolve the complaint. In such cases, a resolution agreement signed by the recipient and submitted to OCR must be aligned with the complaint allegations or the information obtained during the investigation and it must be consistent with applicable regulations. Information about this is in the enclosure to this letter. Please read the enclosed document entitled Complaint Processing Procedures,? which includes information about: 0 complaint processing procedures, including the availability of 0 Regulatory prohibitions against retaliation and intimidation of persons who ?le complaints with OCR or participate in an OCR investigation; and 0 Application of the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act to OCR investigations. OCR intends to conduct a prompt investigation of this complaint. The regulation implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) at 34 C.F.R. ?100.6(b) and requires that a recipient of Federal ?nancial assistance make information that may be pertinent to reach a compliance determination available to OCR. This requirement is incorporated by reference by the regulation implementing Title IX at 34 CPR. 106.71. Pursuant to 34 C.F.R. 100.6(c) and 34 CPR. of the regulation implementing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. 1232g, OCR may review personally identi?able records without regard to considerations of privacy or con?dentiality. Accordingly, OCR is requesting that you forward the following information to us within ?fteen (15) calendar days from the date of this letter. Wherever possible, please provide the requested information in electronic format. If responsive data are available through the internet, please provide the link. Page 5 Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. In addition to the information requested above OCR ma need to request additional information. We will contact you to identify ?and to arrange interviews with College personnel as appropriate (to take place subsequent to receipt and review of the above-requested data), and to ascertain who will represent the College during processing of this complaint. OCR is committed to prompt and effective service. Ifyou have any questions, please contact Ms. Sandra L. Garcia, Senior Equal Opportunity Specialist, at 312-730-1580 or by email at 5mm L.Qarcig@ed.gov or Brian Bigelow, OCR Regional Attorney at 312-730-1565 or Bria Bi ow ov. Sincerely, Karen E. Tamburro Supervisory Attorney UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS MIDWESTERN DIVISION, CHICAGO OFFICE CITIGROUP CENTER 500 WEST MADISON STREET, SUITE 1475 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60661 TEL: 312-730-15 60 TDD: 877?521-2172 September 16, 2014 on Responsive Re: 05-44?2504 (new) and #05-14-2047 on nsive De This letter is to notify you that the US. Department of Education (Department), Of?ce for Civil Rights (OCR) has evaluated your complaint ?led with OCR on August 27, 2014, against Knox College (College), alleging discrimination on the basis of sex and retaliation. We conducted the evaluation in accordance with Case Processing Manual to determine whether to open the complaint for investigation. have determined that we have the authority to investigate the complaint. Speci?cally, the Complaint alleges that ?mm" the College: 1. Discriminated against_ ased on sex when it failed to afford a pro 0688 on Responsive OCR is responsible for enforcing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), 20 U.S.C. 1681, and its implementing regulation, 34 CPR. Part 106, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity operated by a recipient of Federal ?nancial assistance. Title IX also prohibits retaliation. As a recipient of Federal ?nancial assistance from the Department, the College is subject to these laws. Additional information about the laws OCR enforces is available on our website at OCR has determined that it has jurisdiction and that these allegations are timely. With respect to Allegation on December 3, 2013, OCR received a complaint against the The Department of Education '5 mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excelience and ensuring equal access. on Responswe Page 2 College (OCR docket that raised a substantially identical allegation as contained in the instant complaint. Under Case Processing Manual, complaints ?led by more than one person that raise substantially identical allegations against the same recipient may be treated as one complaint and assigned one case number or, if received later, incorporated into an existing complaint. OCR has determined that it will investigate Allegation #1 under the existing OCR docket #05-14-2047. With reSpect to Allegation OCR is opening the allegation for investigation under docket #05-14-2504. 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 the Case Processing Manual. OCR offers, when appropriate, an Early Complaint Resolution (ECR) process 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.? In addition, when appropriate, a complaint may be resolved before the conclusion of an investigation after the recipient asks OCR to resolve the complaint. In such cases, a resolution agreement signed by the recipient and submitted to OCR must be aligned with the complaint allegations or the information obtained during the investigation and it must be consistent with applicable regulations. Information about this is in the enclosure to this letter. We will keep you apprised of our investigation of allegation 2. OCR is committed to a high- quality resolution of every case. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Sandra L. Garcia, Senior, Equal Opportunity Specialist, at 312-730-1580 or by email at Sandra.L.Garcia@ed.gov or Brian Bigelow, OCR Regional Attorney, at 312-73 0-1565 or Brian.Bigelow@ed. gov. Sincerely, . Jud/ta ii diet/w, Karen E. Tamburro Supervisory Attorney Enclosure