C N ITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUC ATION
OFfl CE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS

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2 4 2Dt7
John l. Hennessy
President
Stanford University
Office of the President
Building 10
Stanford, California 94305-2061
(In reply , please refer to case no. 09-15-2404}
Dear President Hennessy:
On July 23, 2015, the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), notified
Stanford Univ ersity {University} of the above~referen ced comp laint. The complaint alleged that
1
the University discriminated against a student based on sex when it failed to provide her with a
prompt and equitable resolution of her sexual assault complaint. For the reasons explained
below, OCR is administratively closing the complaint.
OCR is responsible for enforcing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 {Title IX), as
amended, 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., .and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106, which
prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in programs and activities receiving financial
assistance from the U.S. Department of Education (the Department}.
Title IX prohibit s
discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities operated by recipients of
financial assistance from the Department. The University receives funds from the Depa rtment
and is therefore subject to Title IX and its implementi ng regulation.
2

Pursuant to OCR Case Processing Manual section 110{1) , OCR may close the compl aint
allegations when the complainant withdraws the complaint after OCR has opened it for
inve stigation. On M arch 14, 2017, OCR learned that the student requested to withdr aw her
complaint because she resolved her dispute with the University. OCR determined that the
criteria fo r closure under section 110(1) have been met. Accordingly , OCR is closing t he
complaint as of the date of th is letter. This concludes OCR's consider ation of this complaint.
Feder al regulations prohibit the University from retaliating against the stu dent or from
intimidating , threatening, coercing, or harassing the stud ent or anyone else because she filed a

1

OCR previously notified th e University of the student's identity. We are withholding her name from this letter in
order to prot ect her privacy.
2
The ~ase Processing M anual is available on line at http ://www2. ed.gov/ about/offic es/li st/ocr/doc s/ ocrcpm .pdf.
l iw D,•p,1rt11wnt ol f:du r atil>n ·" mb sum i., to promo te ~lud1•nt ach il!H' nw nt Mtd pn•p,in1lit •n for ~~lob.ii , um rt>tlti\· t'ne ~~
by 11·~lt·ring l'du t·c1thmal exc.:dlenn• and 1ms u rin g equal ,10::c~!-.
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 (OCRcase no. 09-15-2404) Page2

complaint with OCR or because she or anyone else takes part in the complaint resolution
process.
Under the Freedom of Information Act, it may be necessary to release this document and
related records upon request. In the event that OCR receives such a request, it will seek to
protect, to the extent provided by law, personal information that, if released, could reasonably
be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy .
If you have any que stions about this letter, please call Attorneys Gemini Mccasland at (415)
486-5536 or Dana Isaac Quinn at (415) 486-5596.

i~

Sincerely,

W--{

James Wood
Team leader

cc:

 U~ fTI D STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUC:\ TfON
OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS

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MAR2 4 20J7
(bX6),(bX7XC)

(In reply, please ref er to case no. 09- 15-2404)
Oea rl (bX6),(bX7XC)

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the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), received your
complaint against Stanford University {University}. The complaint alleged that the University
discriminated against a student based on sex when it failed to provide her with a prompt and
equitable resolution of her sexual assault complaint. For the reasons explained below, OCR is
administratively closing the complaint.
OCR is responsible for enforcing Title IX of th e Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), as
amen ded, 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106, which

prohibit discrimina tion on the basis of sex in programs and activities receiving financial
assistance from the U.S. Department of Education (the Department).
Title IX prohibit s
discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities operated by recipients of
financial assistance from th e Department. The University receives funds from the Department
and is th erefore subject to Title IXand its implementing regulation.
Pursuant to OCR Case Processing Manual section 110(1)1, OCR may close the complaint
allegations when the complainant withdraws the complaint after OCR has op ened it for
investigation. On March 14, 2017, OCR learned that the student requested to withdraw her
complaint because she resolved her dispute with the University . OCR det ermin ed that th e
criteria for closure under section 110(1) have been met. Accordingly, OCR is closing th e
complaint as of the date of this letter. This concludes OCR's consideration of this complaint.
Feder al regulations prohibit th e University from retaliating against the student or from
intimidating, threatening, coercing, or harassing the student or anyone else because she filed a
complaint with OCR or because she or anyone else takes part in the complaint resolution
proce ss.

1

The Case Processing Man ual is availabl e on lin e at

http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/ocrcpm.pdf.

·! JH: f)q,.11 tnwnt <>Il:du c,1lion· :-,.mb si'.)11h lt) rn_im ot t' ~t11dtmt ,1ch1en •11wn t iln d pn•p,w1111>n
1·or glnhJI ,·(1mp dit1 n:t:t' :s'
h)- 111<,l('nng 1•Ju t"c1l1<1r1<1ll'x 1·vfknt·l ' ,lntl 1•11
•,uring 1•4uc1JtlCCt:s.~.

 (OCR case no. 09-15-2404) Page 2

Under the Freedom of Information Act, it may be necessary to release this do cument and
related records upon request. In the event that OCR receives such a request, it will seek to
protect, to the extent provided by law, personal information that, if released, could rea sonably
be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy.

If you have any questions about this letter, please call Attorneys Gemini Mccasland at (415)
48 6-5 536 or Dana Isaac Quinn at (415) 486-5596.

Sincerely,

Team Leader