UNITED OF EDUCATION OFFICE FOR. CIVIL RIGHTS 32 OLD SLIP. 2a? moon new vontc. NEW vortK loans TIMOTHY C. J. BLANCIIARIJ DIRECTOR NEW YORK OFFICE September 28, 20] 6 (btt?t; (biti'tC) Re: Case No. 02-16?2280 Cornell University Dem. (btt?t; (We) On July I 1. 2016, the US. Department of Education, Of?ce for Civil Rights (OCR) received the above-referenced complaint you ?led against Cornell University (the University). You alleged that the University failed to respond and equitably to the complaint of sexual assault that you ?ledlibii?i? I OCR has determined that this allegation is appropriate for investigation. OCR is responsible for enforcing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), as amended, 20 U.S.C. 1631 gt s_cq_. 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 U.S. Department of Education (the Department). The University is a recipient of ?nancial assistance [tom the Department. Therefore, OCR has jurisdictional authority to investigate this under Title IX. Because OCR has determined that it has jurisdiction and that the complaint was ?led in a timely manner, it is opening your allegation for investigation. Please note that opening an 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 legaliy suf?cient and is dispositive of the allegation, in accordance with the provisions of Article of the Case Processing Manna}. 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 parties involved to resolve the allegationts). Some information about the ECR process is contained in the publication, Complaint Processng Procedures," which was enclosed with The Department (JEtt'ncntion'i-s mission is to promote student achievement and prepnratnmfor giobat cornpetitiveness by fostering etinentionnt? ensnring enntn? access. (bl(7(Cl Page 2 of2 previous letter to you acknowledging your complaint. This information is also on website at Also. when appropriate. a complaint may be resolver! before the conclusion of an investigation after the recipient expresses an interest to OCR to resolve the complaint. [n 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 website at Please be advised that the University may not harass. coerce. intimidate. or discriminate against any individual because he or she has filed a complaint or participated in the complaint resolution process. If this happens. you may ?le another complaint alleging such treatment. Under the Freedom of In?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 identi?able infonnation. which. 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. If you are interested in resolving your complaint through ECR process or have any questions. please contact Jane Tobey Memo. Senior Compliance Team Attorney. at (646) 428-3763 or iane.momo@cd.aov; or me. at (646) 428-3806. or telicebowend?edgov. Sincerely. ?Mb-r helmet Felice A. Bowen Compliance Team Leader UNITED STATES OF EDUCATION FUR CIVIL 32 OLD SLIP. 36?? FLOOR NEW YORK. NEW YORK leans TIMOTHY C. J. BLANCIIARD DIRECTOR NEW YORK OFFICE September 23. 2016 Hunter R. Rawlings. Interim President Office of the President 300 Day Hall Cornell University Ithaca. New York 14853 Re: Case No. 02-16-2280 Cornell University Dear President Rawlings: On July 1 l. 2016. the US. Department of Education. Of?ce For Civil Rights (OCR). received the above-referenced complaint ?led against Cornell University (the University). The complainant alleged that the Universitv failed to respond ore and equitably to the complaint of sexual assault thatllb) lhled . OCR has determined that this allegation is appropriate for investigation. OCR is responsible for enforcing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), as amended. 20 U.S.C. 1681 gt and its implementing regulation at 34 CPR. Part 106. which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in programs and activities receiving financial 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 the allegation for investigation. Please note that opening an 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 tact-?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 ofOCR?s Case Processing Manner?. 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. The Depot-uncut ofEdncan'an '5 mission is to promote student achievenmni and preparation for giobni competitiveness by fostering educational exceiienCe and ensuring ennui access. Page 2 of5 President Hunter R. Rawlings, 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 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. at 34 C.F.R. l00.6 and requires that a recipient of federal financial 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. 106.71. This information also is 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 in the enclosure to this letter entitled, Complaint Processing Procedures,? and on website at focrfcomplaints-how.html. 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. [n 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. 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 Jane Tobey Memo, Senior Compliance Team Attorney, at (646) 428-3763 or iane.momo@ed. gov; or me, at (646] 428-3806 or felicebowen??edgov. Sincerely, ?Fl/thee Ell/View Felice A. Bowen Compliance Team Leader Enel. Page 3 MS President Hunter R. Rawlings, Cornell Universiiy (?mm Nn [17-16-2230 (mam) Ilhc cum lainanl) I I Due Date: (b Page 4 Off: President Hunter R. Ruwlings, Page 5 of5 President Hunter R. Rawlings,