UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS 32 OLD SLIP. 26*" FLOOR NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10005 TIMOTHY (T. J. BLANCHARD DIRECTOR NEW YORK OFFICE August 11, 2016 Christopher L. Eisgruber President . Princeton University Of?ce of the President I Nassau Hall Princeton, New Jersey 08544 Re: Case No. 02-16-2235 Princeton Universitv Dear President Eisgruber: On May 16, 2016, the US. Department of Education, Of?ce for Civil Rights (OCR) received the above-referenced complaint ?led against Princeton University (the University) The complainant alleged that the University discriminated against on the bases of N3, sex and race, by failing to and equitably res 0nd to complaints of sexual harassment and assault, racial harassment, and retaliation that made to the University in or around and, as a resul was subjected to a sexually and racially hostile environment. 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 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 is also 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. The University is a recipient of ?nancial assistance from the Department. Therefore. OCR has jurisdictional authority to investigate this complaint under Title IX and Title VI. 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 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 of Case No. 02?16-2235 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 the allegations were ?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 their 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 allegations, in accordance with the provisions of Article of the 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. 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 VI, 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 C.F.R. 106.7]. This information is also 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 ECR 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 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 ?led a complaint or participated in the complaint resolution process. If this happens, the complainant may ?le another complaint alleging such treatment. Page 3 of5 Case No. 02-16-2235 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 that, 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@ed.gov; Paige Wallace, Compliance Team Attorney, at 646-428-3830 or paige.wallace@ed.gov; or me, at 646- 428-3801 or nadia.r.allen.gill@ed.gov. Sincerely, Team Leader Encl. Page 4 of5 Case No. 02-16-2235 Data Request Case No. 02-15-2235 Complainantz Non Responsive Data Page 5 OH Case No. 02-16-2235 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS 32 OLD SLIP. 26?? FLOOR NEW YORK. NEW YORK 10005 TIMOTHY C. J. BLANCHARD DIRECTOR NEW YORK OFFICE August 11, 2016 Non Responsive Re: Case No. 02-16-2235 Princeton University On May 16. 2016. the US. Department of Education, Of?ce for Civil Rights (OCR), received the above-referenced complaint you ?led against Princeton University. You alleged that the University discriminated against you, on the bases of your sex and race, by failing to and equitably respond to complaints of sexual harassment and assault racial harassment, and retaliation that you made to the University in or around Responswe and, as a result, you were subjected to a sexually and racially hostile environment. 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 is also responsible for enforcing Title VI ofthe Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2000d e_t 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. The University is a recipient of ?nancial assistance from the Department. Therefore. OCR has jurisdictional authority to investigate this complaint under Title IX and Title VI. The regulation implementing Title IX, at 34 C.F.R. 106.71, incorporates by reference 34 .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, testi?ed, assisted or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding or hearing held in connection with a complaint. The Department of Education?s mission is to promote student achievement and preparation competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. Page 2 of 3 - Case No. 02-16-2235 Because OCR has determined that it has jurisdiction and that the allegations were ?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 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. 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 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 This letter sets forth determination in an individual OCR case. This letter is not a formal statement of OCR policy and should not be relied upon, cited, or construed as such. formal policy statements are approved by a duly authorized OCR of?cial and made available to the public. You may have the right to ?le a private suit in federal court whether or not OCR ?nds a violation. 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. Page 3 of 3 Case No. 02-16-2235 If you have any questions, please contact Stacy Bobbitt, Compliance Team Investigator, at (646) 428-3823 or stacv.bobbitt@ed.gov; Paige Wallace, Compliance Team Attorney, at (646) 428- 3830 or or me, at (646) 428-3801 or nadia.r.allen.gill@ed.gov. Sincerely,