REGION UNITED ST ATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ILLINOIS OFFICE FOR RIGHTS WDIANA IOWA 500 west MADISON ST., SUITE 1475 MINNESOTA CHICAGO, IL seem?4544 NORTH DAKOTA WISCONSIN December 12, 2016 Non Responsive Re: OCR #05?17-2028 Non Responsive Dear On October 31, 2016, the US. Department of Education (Department), Of?ce for Civil Rights (OCR), received the above-referenced complaint you filed against Purdue University (University) alleging discrimination on the basis of sexF?ml ?Elms? 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 this complaint. Speci?cally. the complaint alleges thatli?k"11 ?mm I the University subjected Mm? discrimination based on sex. The complaint raises whether the University fails to and equitably respond to complaints, reports andi?or incidents INon Responsive I Of ll had Responsive I P011 Rimming Ithereby creating tor students a sexually hostIle en vn'onment. OCR is responsible for enforcing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), as amended, 20 U.S.C. 1681-1688, and its implementing regulation at 34 CPR. Part 106, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in any program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance from the Department. As a recipient Ol?Federal ?nancial assistance from the Department, the University is subject to this law. Additional information about the laws OCR enforces is available 011 our website at http:an-rwwednovfocr. Because OCR has determined that it has jurisdiction and that the complaint was filed timely, it is Opening the complaint For investigation. Please note that Opening the complaint 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-finder, collecting and analyzing relevant evidence from the complainant, the recipient. and other sources. as appropriate. OCR will ensure that its investigation is legally sufficient and is dispositive of the allegation, in accordance with the provisions of Article of the Case Processing Marmot. The Department ot'liducalion?s mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. . gov Non Responsive Page 2 When appropriate, a complaint may be resolved before the conclusion of an investigation when the recipient expresses an interest to resolve the complaint. In such cases, a resolution must be aligned with the complaint allegation 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. OCR is committed to prompt and effective service. We will communicate with you periodically regarding the status of your complaint. If you have any questions, please contact Saline Gamboa, Equal Opportunity Specialist, at 312-730-1627 or Salina.Gantboa@ed.aov. Sincerely, %0 ECU Jeffrey Turnbull Team Leader Enclosure REGION UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ILLINOIS OFFICE FOR RIGHTS INDIANA IOWA see wesr MADISON sr.. sun?s I475 MINNESOTA CHICAGO, IL sorrel-4544 NORTH DAKOTA WISCONSIN December 12, 2016 Mr. Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. President Purdue University 610 Purdue Mall West Lafayette, IN 47907 Re: OCR Docket #05-17?2028 Dear Mr. Daniels: On October 31, 2016, the Chicago Of?ce of the US. Department of Education (Department), Of?ce for Civil Rights (OCR), received the above-referenced complaint of discrimination ?led against Purdue University (University) alleging discrimination on the basis of sex. 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 this complaint. Speci?cally, the complaint alleges that Emmy: the University subjected Emmi? Ito discrimination based on sex. The complaint raises whether the University fails to and equitably reSpond to complaints, reports andr?or incidentalNun mm? Iof which it had noticef?l?n ?gimme I litmus? lthereby creating for students a sexually hostile environment. OCR is responsible for enforcing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), 20 U.S.C. 1681-1688. and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106. Title IX prohibits discrimination based upon sex in any educational program or activity Operated by a recipient of Federal ?nancial assistance. As a recipient ofFederal ?nancial assistance from the Department. the University is subject to this law. Additional information about the laws OCR enforces is available on our website at Because OCR has determined that it has jurisdiction and that the complaint was filed timely. it is opening the complaint for investigation. Please note that opening the complaint 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 diapositive ofthe allegation, in accordance with the provisions of Article of the Case Processing Mon-not. The Department of Educalion?s InissiOn is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. w?n?w . edgov Page 2 Mr. Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. 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, a resolution agreement signed by the recipient and submitted to OCR must be aligned with the complaint allegation 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: - complaint processing procedures; 0 Regulatory prohibitions against retaliation and intimidation of persons who file complaints with OCR or participate in an OCR investigation; and 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 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 pertinent to a compliance determination. This requirement is incorporated by reference in the regulation implementing Title IX at 34 CPR. 106.71. Pursuant to 34 C.F.R. 100.603) and 34 C.F.R. 99.31(a) (3) 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 confidentiality. Accordingly, OCR is requesting that you provide the following information to us within twenty (20) calendar days from the date of this letter. Wherever possible, please provide the requested information in electronic format. If responsive data are avaiiable through the Internet, please provide the link to the data. Please note that OCR will use the information about University policies, procedures, and practices provided in its response to OCR complaint #05-16-2264 as part of its investigation of this case. [billijll?a?tlhlon Responsive Page 3 Mr. Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. Resp onsh'e Page 4 -- Mr. Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. [hjti?thjijion Responsive Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. in addition to the information requested above, OCR may need to request additional information and interview pertinent personnel. If an on-site visit is necessary, we will work to schedule a mutually convenient time for the visit. Please notify OCR of the name. address, and telephone number of the person who will serve as the University?s contact person during the processing of this complaint. We would like to talk with this person as soon as possible todiscuss the processing of this complaint and at that time, we will provide the identity of PM F??p?mm Page 5 -- Mr. Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. OCR is committed to prompt and effective service. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Salina Gamboa, Equal Opportunity Specialist at 312-730-1627 or by email at salina.gan1boa@ed.gov. Sincerely, file lrey Tumbull Team Leader Enclosure