UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS 500 WEST MADISON ST., SUITE 1475 CHICAGO, IL 60661-4544 REGIONV ILLINOIS INDIANA IOWA MINNESOTA NORTH DAKOTA WISCONSIN March 24, 2017 Dr. Michael D. Amiridis Chancellor University of lllinois at Chicago 414 Administrative Office Building, MC - 760 1737 W. Polk Street Chicago, IL 60612 RE: OCR Docket# 05-17-2045 University of Illinois at Chicago Dear Dr. Amiridis: This is to notify you that the U.S. Department of Education (Department), Office for Civil Rights (OCR), has carefully evaluated the above-referenced complaint filed with OCR on November 9, 2016 against the University of Illinois at Chicago (University) allcI:,ring discrimination on the basis of sex. We conducted the evaluation in accordance with OCR's Case Processing Manual to dctennine whether to open the complaint for investigation. We have determined that we have the authority to investigate this complaint. Specifically, the complaint alleges the University discriminated against the Complainant, a University student (Student A), on the basis of sex by foiling to promptly and equitably respond to herl (b)(6) ~cxual violence complaint. 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 pro!,l'famor activity operated by a recipient of Federal financial assistance. As a recipient of federal financial assistance from the Department, the University is subject to the provisions of Title IX and its implementing regulations. Because OCR has determined that it has jurisdiction and that the complaint was timely filed, it is opening the 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 merits. 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 allegations, in accordance with the provisions of Article Ill of the Case Processing Manual. 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 The Dc1lartmcnt of Education's mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational cxccllcncc and ensuring equal access. www.cd.gov Pagc2 ah,reement signed by the recipient and submitted to OCR must be aligned with the allegation in the complaint or the information obtained during the investigation and it must be consistent with applicable regulations. fnformation about this process is in the enclosure to this letter. Please read the enclosed docwnent, entitled "OCR's Complaint Processing Procedures," which includes information about: • OCR 's complaint processing procedures, including the availability of ECR; • 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 Infonnation 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 (Title VI) at 34 C.F.R. § I 00.6(b) and (c) requires that a recipient of F cdcral financial assistance make information that may be pertinent to reach a compliance determination available to OCR. This requirement is incorporated by reference by the regulation implementing Title IX at 34 C.F.R. § 106.71. Pursuant to 34 C.F.R. § I00.6(c) and 34 C.F.R. § 99.31 (a)(3)(iii), 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 confidentiality. Accordingly, OCR is requesting that you forward the following information to us within fifteen (15) calendar days from the date of this letter. Wherever possible, please provide the requested information in electronic format. If responsive data are available through the internet, please provide the link. (b)(7)(A) Page3 Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. In addition to the infmmation requested above, OCR may need to request additional information and interview pertinent personnel. If an onsite visit is necessary, we will work to schedule a mutually convenient time for the visit. OCR wiH contact Ms. Amy Truelove, Deputy Title IX Coordinator for the University to discuss this complaint with her and to identify Student A for the University. OCR is committed to prompt and effective service. If you have any questions, please contact Daniel Kim, Attorney, at 3 l 2-730-1482 or by email at Daniel.Kim(fv.ed.gov. Sincerely, ~ Enclosure cc: Aleeza Strubel Supervisory Attorney UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE:FOR CIVIL RIGHTS Rl::CIONV lLLINOIS IND!ANA JOWA 500 WEST MA DJSO:"l ST., SUITE 1475 CHICAGO, IL 606 61-4544 MINNESOTA NORTH DAK OTA WJSC'ONSIN March 24, 2017 (b)(6) RE: OCR Docket# 05-17-2045 Unive rsity of Jllinois at Chicago 6 Dea1IL. (b-)(- )____ _, This is to notify you that the U.S. Department of Educati on (Department ), Office for Civil Right s (OCR), has carefull y evaluat ed the abov e-referen ced compl aint you filed with OCR on Novem ber 9, 2016 against the University of Illinois at Chicago (University) alleging discrimination on the basis of sex. We conducted the evaluation in accordance with OCR's Case Processing Manual to detennine whether to open the complaint for investi gation. We have dete1min ed that we have the authority to inves tigate this complaint. Specifically, you allege that the University discriminated against you, a University s~ 6 1t A), on the basis of sex by failing to promptly and equitably respond to your (b)( ) . l ence com pl amt. . xua I v10 OCR is responsible for enforcing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Titl e IX), 20 U.S.C. §§ 168 1-1688, and its implementin g regulati on at 34 C .F.R. Part 106. Title IX prohibits discrimination based upon sex in any educatio nal program or activity operated by a recip ient of Federal financial assistance. As a recipient of federal finan cial assistance from the Department , the Univ ers ity is subject to the provision s of Title (X and its impl em enting regu lations. Becau se OCR has detem1ined that it has jurisdi ction and that the complaint was timely filed , it is ope ning the allegatio n for inve stiga tion. Please not e that open ing the allegation for investigati on in no way implies that OCR has made a detennination with regard to its merits. During the investigation, OCR is a neutral fact-finder, collecting and analyzing relevan t evid ence from the complainant, the rec ipient, and other sources, as appropri ate. OCR will ensu re tha t its investigation is legall y sufficient and is dispositive of the allegatio ns, in accordance with the provisions of Article lil of the Case Processing Manual. OCR ofte rs, when appropriate, an Early Compl aint Resolution (ECR) process to facilit ate the voluntary resolution of complaints by proving an early opportun ity for the parties invo lved to resolv e the allegati on(s). Some info nna tion about the ECR proce ss is in the enclosure to this letter entitled "OCR Co mplaint Process ing Pro cedures ." The Department of Education's mission is to promote student achievement and prcr aration for globul co mpetiti veness by fos 1cring edu cational cxccll cncc and ensuring equal access. www .c