UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION REGION OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS ALABAMA rtomon 61 ST., SOUTHWEST, SUITE GEORGIA GA 30303-592? TENNESSEE January 13, 2017l Re: Complaint #04-17?2039 031(6); (bit? Dear (C) On October I l, 2016, the US. Department of Education (Department), Of?ce for Civil Rights (OCR), received the abovenrefercnced complaint that you (Complainant) ?led against Vanderbilt University (University) alleging discrimination on the bases of race, disability, and retaliation. Speci?cally, you alleged that the University discriminated against you by: b6;b7A;bTC As a recipient of Federal ?nancial assistance, the University is subject to the provisions ol'Title VI ofthe Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), 42 U.S.C. ??2000d et seq., and its implementing regulation, 34 C.F.R. Part 100, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, colon or national origin; Title IX ofthc Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), 20 U.S.C. Sections 1681 et seq., and its implementing regulation, 34 CPR. Part 106, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex; and Section 504 ofthe Rehabilitation Act of1973 (Section 504), 29 U.S.C. 794, and its implementing regulation, 34 CPR. Part 104, which prohibit discrimination on the basis ofdisability. The University receives Federal ?nancial assistance from the Department, and accordingly. OCR hasjurisdiction over this complaint. OCR will investigate the following issues: b6;b7A;bTC The of Educatton?s mission ts to student achievement and prr'pnrm?ttm tin- glottal contputt'tti"unless by fostering educational? and ensuring mint-1t access. .cd.gov Complaint #04? 7-2039 Page 2 b6; Because OCR has determined that it has jurisdiction and that the complaint was filed timely, it is opening these 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 the Case Processing Manual. Philip Weltner, attorney - investigator, will be in contact with you throughout the resolution process. Please refer to your docket number noted above in any contacts with this office. If you have any questions about this letter, please contact Mr. Weltner at (404) 974-9402. or me at (404) 974-9356. Sincerely, Wendy Gatlin Compliance Team Leader UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION REGION OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS ALABAMA IlomnA a} ST., SOUTHWEST, SUITE GEORGIA ATLANTA, GA 303113-8927 TENNESSEE January 13, 201'? Mr. Nicholas Zeppos Chancellor Vanderbilt University 21 1 Kirkland Hall Nashville, Tennessee 37240 Re: Complaint #04-17u2039 Dear Mr. Zeppos: On October 1 1, 2016, the US. Department of Education (Department), Office For Civil Rights (OCR), received the above?referenced complaint ?led against Vanderbilt University (University) 13340913); (1310110) [Complainan? alleging discrimination on the bases ol?sex, race, and disability; and retaliation. Speci?cally, the Complainant alleged that the University discriminated against her by: b6;b7A;b?C As a recipient ofFederal financial assistance, the University is subject to the provisions of Title VI ol?the Civil Rights Act ot'1964 (Title VI), 42 U.S.C. ??2000d et seq., and its implementing regulation, 34 CPR. Part 100, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX). 20 U.S.C. Sections 1681 et seq., and its implementing regulation, 34 C.F.R. Part 106, which prohibit discrimination on the basis ot?sex; and Section 504 ofthe Rehabilitation Act ol?1973 (Section 504), 29 U.S.C. T94, and its implementing regulation, 34 C.F.R. Part 104. which prohibit discrimination on the basis ofdisability. The University receives Federal ?nancial assistance from the Department, and accordingly, OCR hasjurisdiction over this complaint. OCR will investigate the following issues: b6;b7A;bTC The DL?parmIL?nt of Edumhr'im's ??ssion is to promote studentachievmiien! and preparation by fostering Edam Mona! excellence and ensuring equal access. .ed .gov Complaint #04-1 752039 Page 2 b6; b7A; Because OCR has determined that it has jurisdiction and that the complaint was ?led timely, it is opening these 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-finder, collecting and analyzing relevant evidence [tom 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 rtrfannru'. OCR intends to conduct a prompt investigation of this complaint. The regulation implementing Title VI at 34 C.F.R. l00.6(b) and requires that a recipient of Federal ?nancial assistance make available to OCR information that may be pertinent to reach a compliance determination. This requirement is incorporated into the regulations implementing Title at 34 C.F.R. ?106.71, and Section 504 at 34 C.F.R. ?104.6l. Pursuant to 34 C.F.R. 100.6(c) and 34 C.F.R. of the regulation implementing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. 1232g, OCR may review personally identifiable records without regard to considerations of privacy or con?dentiality. Accordingly, OCR is requesting that you forward the following information to us within ?fteen (15} calendar days of the date of this letter. (blt7ltA) Complaint #04-17-2039 Page 3 (MUM) 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. We work to resolve allegations of discrimination and appropriately. Philip Weltner, attorney? investigator, will be in contact with you throughout the resolution process. Please refer to your docket number noted above in any contacts with this of lice. [t?you have any questions about this letter, please contact Mr. Weltner, at (404) 9'74-9402, or me, at (404) 974-9356. Sincerely, Wendy Gatlin Compliance Team Leader