UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE son CIVIL moms INDIANA IOWA 500 WEST MADISON ST, SUITE 1475 MINNESOTA CHICAGO. IL 6066l-4544 NORTH DAKOTA WISCONSIN August 24, 2016 Non Responsive Re: OCR Docket 05-16-2306 on Responsive Dear On July 12, 2016, the US. Department of Education (Department), Of?ce for Civil Rights (OCR), received the complaint you ?led on behalf of your daughter against the University of Illinois Urbana-Champai-gn (University). The complaint alleges that the Unive Wt (Student A) on the basis of sex beginning in The complaint raises whether the Un-iversit fails to rom t1 and equitably respond to complaints, reports, and/or incidentmme?L?LLILI ?on Responsive Non Responsive thereby fostering a sexually hostile environment. Non Responsive 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 CPR. Part 106, which prohibits discrimination based upon sex in any educational program or activity operated by a recipient of Federal ?nancial assistance from the Department. As a recipient of Federal ?nancial assistance from the Department, the University is subject to Title IX. Additional information about the laws OCR enforces is available on our website at OCR has evaluated the complaint under our Case Processing Manual (CPM) to determine whether to open an investigation. Because OCR has determined that it has jurisdiction over the complaint allegations and that the complaint was ?led timely, it is opening an investigation. Please note that this in no way implies that OCR has made a determination with regard to the complaint?s 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 allegation in accordance with the provisions of Article of the CPM. 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 agreement signed by the recipient and submitted to OCR must be aligned with the complaint allegations or The Department of Education?s mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global campctitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. gov Non 2 OCR Docket No. 05 ~16~2306 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 will communicate with you periodically regarding the status of the investigation. If you have any questions about this letter, you may contact Melissa Katt, Attorney, at (312) 730~ 1617 or Melissa.Kart@ed.gov. Sincerely, WKWW Dawn R. Matthias Team Leader Enclosure UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 3333:: OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS INDIANA IOWA 500 WEST MADISON ST., SUITE 1475 MINNESOTA CHICAGO, IL 60661-4544 NORTH DAKOTA WISCONSIN August 24, 2016 Dr. Barbara Wilson Interim Chancellor University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Of?ce of the Chancellor Swanlund Administration Building 601 B. John Street Champaign, IL 61820 Re: OCR Docket 05-16~2306 Dear Dr. Wilson: On July 12, 2016, the US. Department of Education (Department), Of?ce for Civil Rights (OCR), received the above-referenced complaint ?led against the University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign (University). The Complainant alleges that the lm'versitv discriminated armth a Non Responsrve fe ale student (Student A) on the basis of sex beginning in The complaint raises whether the University fails to and equitably ?res 0nd to Non Responsive 'on Responsive . . . Eon ?pong? lthereby fostering a seXualIy 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 CPR. Part 106, which prohibits discrimination based upon sex in any educational program or activity operated by a recipient of Federal ?nancial assistance from the Department. As a recipient of Federal ?nancial assistance from the Department, the University is subject to Title IX. Additional information about the laws OCR enforces is available on our website at OCR has evaluated the complaint under our Case Processing Manual (CPM) to determine whether to open an investigation. Because OCR has determined that it has jurisdiction over the complaint allegations and that the complaint was ?led timely, it is opening an investigation. Please note that this in no way implies that OCR has made a determination with regard to the complaint?s merits. During the investigation OCR is a neutral factv?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 of the CPM. The Department of Education?s mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. vwnv. ed. gov Page 2 Dr. Wilson OCR Docket No. 05462306 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 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; 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, at 34 C.F.R. 100.6(b) and (0), 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 C.F.R. ?106.71. Pursuant to 34 CPR. 100.6(0) and 34 C.F.R. 99.3l(a) (3) of the regulatiOn implementing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. l232g, OCR may review personally identi?able records without regard to considerations of privacy or con?dentiality. Accordingly, please provide the following information within twenty (20) calendar days of the date of this letter. Wherever possible, please provide the information electronically. If responsive data are available through the Internet, please provide the link to the data. I. 2. Page 3 Dr. Wilson OCR Docket No. 05-16-2306 Responsive 10. ll. 12. 13. 14. Page 4 Dr. Wilson OCR Docket No. 05-16-2306 15. 16. 17. 18. Responsive Page 5 Dr. Wilson OCR Docket No. 05-16-2306 19. 20. Responsive Page 6 - Dr. Wilson OCR Docket No. 05-16-23 06 (MWXA) 21. Page 7 Dr. Wilson OCR Docket No. 05-16-2306 Responsix 22. 23. 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 persomiel. 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 to discuss the processing of this complaint and at that time, we will provide the identity of Student A. OCR is committed to prompt and effective service. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Melissa Katt, Attorney, at (3l2) 730-1617 or Melissa.Katt@ed.gov. Sincerely, Dawn R. Matthias Team Leader Enclosure