UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS 32 OLD SLIP, 20?? FLOOR NEW YORK. NEW YORK woos TIMOTHY C. J. BLANCIIARD DIRECTOR NEW YORK OFFICE August 17, 2016 Dr. Marc 'fessier-Lavigne President . Rockefeller University 1230 York Avenue New York, New York 10065-6399 Re: Case No. 02-16-2283 Rockefeller University Dear Dr. Tcssier-Lavigne: On July 14, 2016, the US. Department of Education, Of?ce for Civil Rights (OCR) received the above-referenced complaint filed against Rockefeller University (the University). The complainant alleged that the University discriminated against? on the basis 0 Msex, 'l'n 0 respond appropriately to a report of a sexual assault tha made on or about NE 'and as a result,@ was subjected to a sexually hostile environment. OCR has determined that this allegation is appropriate for investigation. Additionally, OCR will investigate whether the University failed to respond and equitably to other complaints, reports and/or incidents of sexual assault/violence of which it had notice; and as a result. other students at the University were subjected to a sexually hostile environment. OCR is responsible for enforcing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), as amended, 20 U.S.C. 1681 ct 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). The University is a recipient of financial 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 this 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-?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 of Article [ll of Case Processing Manual. 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 7 Dr. Marc Tessier-Lavignc. President Enclosed is a document entitled. Complaint Processing Procedures." This document will provide you with an overview of OCR's 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. Please submit the information listed on the enclosed data request to OCR within twenty (20) days of the date of this letter. 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 financial assistance make available to OCR infomtation 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. 106.71. This information is also being requested pursuant to 34 OCR's goal is the prompt and appropriate resolution of the allegations contained in a complaint. OCR offers. when appropriate. an Early Complaint Resolution (EC R) process, similar to mediation. to facilitate the voluntary resolution of complaints by providing an early opportunity for the panics involved to resolve the allegation(s). Some information about the ECR 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 ?led a complaint or participated in the complaint resolution process. Under the Freedom of lnfomtation 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) calendar days to discuss the allegation and the complaint resolution process. In the interim. if you are interested in resolving this complaint through ECR process or have any questions. please contact Colin Power. Compliance Team Attomey. at (646) 428-3832 or or Janet Pfeffer, Senior Equal Page 3 of 7 Dr. Marc Tessier-Lavigne. President Opportunity Specialist, at (646) 428-3833 or or Tracey Beers, Senior Compliance Team Attorney, at (646) 428?3804 or Sincerely, fawmv?w?? a Moretto Cramer Compliance Team Leader lincl. Page 4 of 7 Dr. Marc Tessier-Lavigne, President Data Regucst Case No. 02-16-2283 Rockefeller University (the University) _(the com lainant) I Due Date: Page 5 of7 Dr. Marc Tessier?Lavigne, President Page 6 of 7 Dr. Marc Tessier?Lavigne, President Page 7 of 7 Dr. Marc Tessier?Lavigne, President UNITED STATES OF EDUCATION OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS 32 OLD SLIP. 26?" FLOOR NEW YORK. NEW YORK 1111105 TIMOTHY C. J. BLANCIIARD DIRECTOR NEW YORK OFFICE August 17, 2016 Non Responsive Re: Case No. 02-16-2283 Rockefeller University Dear- On July 14 2016, the U. Department of Education Of?ce for Civil Rights (OCR) received the above- relerenced complaint you ?led against Rockefeller University (the University) You alleged that the University discriminated against you, on the basis of to respond appropriately to a report of sexual assault you made on or abou ResDons'Ve and as a result, you were subjected to a sexually hostile environment. Based on the infomtation you provided in your complaint. OCR has determined that your allegation is appropriate for investigation. OCR is responsible for enforcing Title 1X of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), as amended. 20 U.S.C. 1681 e_t m? 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). 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 this allegation for investigation. Please note that opening this 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 you. 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. 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 The Departrm of rim (Ilia/1' 5 misswn 1.1' to promote stmluil achievement amlpreparation global competitiveness by fa. ring aluminum/1. 11:1. and ensuring equal access. page 2 of2 - Case No. 02-16-2283 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 OCR's 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, you may ?le another complaint alleging such treatment. Under the Freedom of lnl?onnation 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 will communicate with you periodically regarding the status of your complaint. In the interim, if you are interested in resolving this complaint through ECR process or have any questions. please contact Colin Power. Compliance Team Attorney, at (646) 428-3832 or R.Colin.l?owera?azedgov; or Janet Pfeffer, Senior Equal Opportunity Specialist, at (646) 428-3 833 or Janet.Pl?cl?l?err?riicdgm?; or Tracey Beers, Senior Compliance Team Attorney, at (646) 428-3804 or 'l?raeev.licersr?riicdgov. Sincerely, d?Mfoi Compliance Team Leader