UN ITED STA TES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OPfIC E FO R CIVTLRIGHTS 19'!9 FIR\'t\ N STl{ EET, SU IT E 1620 REGION VI ARKANSAS LOU ISIANA M ISSISSIPl'l TEXAS DAU .AS. TEXAS 7520'1-08:\l July 25 , 2017 RE: OCR Case No. 06172217 Southern University and A&M College Dear jb6; b7A;b7C This letter is to inform you that the U.S. Depaitm ent of Education (Department), Office for Civil Rights (OCR), Dallas Oflice , has opened for investigation yo ur complaint against Southern University and A&M College (Universit , in which ou alleoed that the University discriminated against you on the basis of sex (male) 6' 7A, 7C by a female classmate (Student 2) when it failed to provide you a prompt an equ1ta e process during it b6; b7A;b7C investigation of Student 2 ' s complaint, and subsequently 6' 7A, 7C 6 67 Hereafter , you will be referred to as Student 1 "'" .--------------' A, b7C -------- t I OCR is responsible for enforcing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) , 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 el seq., and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Pait 106, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. The University is a recipient of Federal financial assistance from the Department. Therefore, OCR has jurisdictional authority over the University to process this complaint for resolution under Title IX. Because OCR has determined that it has jurisdiction and that the complaint was filed timely , it is opening this allegation for investigation. Please note that opening an investigation in no way implies that OCR has made a determination rega rding its merits. During the investigation , OCR is a neutra l fact finder, collecting and analyzing relevant evidence from the complainan t, the recipient and other sources, as appropriate. OCR will ensure that its investigation is lega lly sufficient and is dispositi ve of the allegations, in accordance with the provisions of OCR ' s Case Processing A1anual. OCR will investiga te whether the University failed to respond prompt ly and equitably to a sexual 67 6 DStudent 2 filed against Student 1, or otherwise harassment complaint (i.e.,!66' A, 7C discriminated against Student 1 on the basis of sex in its handling of the sexual harassment complaint Student 2 filed against him , during th~b5; b?A;b?C semester , in violation of Title IX, at 34 C.F.R. §§ I 06.8 and 106.31. I T ill' Dl'parlrnc nl of Ed urnl inn ' s mi s,;i(lll is lo pro mol e si-udcnt achie ve ment -and prc pc1rni-i n n for global n 1mpditivcnl'ss by f(•slcring cdu c,lt iorwl cxcc llcn cc and ensuring eqn c1Iacces~. www_c(Lgov Page 2 - Notification Letter, Complainant Complaints may be resolved prior to the cone Iusion of an investigat ion by means of Early Complaint Resolution (ECR). ECR allows the parties (the complainant and the institution that is the subject of the complaint) an opportunity to resolve the complaint allegations quickly, generally soon after the complaint has been opened for investigation. If both parties are interested , and if OCR determines that ECR is appropriate, OCR will facilitate settlement discussions between the parties and work with the pa11iesto help them understand the legal standards and possible remedies. More information about the ECR process may be found in the enclosed brochure. Please let me know if you are interested in the ECR process. 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 , that individual may file a 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 , which, if released , could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. If you have any questions about this letter, please contact me at (214) 661-9650 or thomas.stack @ed.gov, or you may contact my Supervisory Attorney/Team Leader , Terri Gonzales , at (214) 661-9687 or terri.gonz ales@ed.gov. SiJJcerel,, rX 6);(bX7(CJ a Thomas W. Stack Office for Civil Rights Dal las Office Enclosure: ECR Brochure UNITE D STAT ES DEPA RT M ENT OF EDU C ATI ON REGION VI OFF ICE FO R CIVlL RIGHTS LOU ISIAN A 1999 BRYAN STREl:T, SUITE 1620 ARKANSAS MISSISSIPPI TEXAS D;\LL AS, TEXAS 73201-0~31 July 25 , 2017 Via Facsimile 225-771-2018 and Regular Mail Dr. Ray L. Belton , President-Chancellor Southern University and A&M College P.O. Box 9374 Baton Rouge , LA 70813 RE: OCR Case No. 06172217 Dear Dr. Belton: This letter is to inform you that the U.S. Department of Education (Department), Office for Civil Rights (OCR) , Dallas Oflice , has opened for investigation a complaint against Southern University and A&M College (University) , in which the complainant (hereafter Student I) alleged that the !by a University discriminated against him on the basis of sex (male)f6' 67A' b7C female classmate (hereafter Student 2) when it failed to provide him a prompt and eqmtab le 67A.... 67C--. process during its!b6;b7A;b7C !investigation of Student 2's complaint, and subsequently ""!66'"" ' ... , "" r6: b7A:b7C I• OCR is responsible for enforcing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), 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 any education program or activity receiving Federa l financial assistance. The University is a recipient of Federal financial assistance from the Department. Therefore , OCR has jurisdictional authority over the University to process this complaint for resolution under Title IX. Because OCR has determ ined that it has jurisdiction and that the complaint was filed timely , it is opening this allegation for investigation. Please note that opening an investigation in no way implies that OCR has made a determination regarding its merits. During the investigation , OCR is a neutral fact finder , collecting and analyz ing 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 OCR ' s Case Processing Manual. OCR will investigate whether the University failed to respond promptly and equitab ly to a sexual Student 2 filed against Student I, or otherwise harassment complaint (i.e.,166' 67A' b7C discriminated aga inst Student I on the basis of sex in its handl ing of the sexual harassment complaint Student 2 filed against him, during thejb6; b?A;b?C !semester , in violation of Title IX , at 34 C.F.R. §§ l 06.8 and 106.31. t Thl• D<'pM lnw nt o f l::d11t\1t ic,11's mi ~sio n is to p ro m, , te stud e11tnch iev em ent and prepcira tio n fnr global co mp et iti ve ness l>y fostering cdu c,1til>l1i11\'X<'c?ll encc ,rnd t•nsu ring;equ nl access. \ ,·ww .ed .g1w Page 2 - Notification Letter , Recipient Complaints may be resolved prior to the conclusion of an investigation in two ways. First, Early Complaint Resolution (ECR) allows the parties (the complainant and the institution that is the subject of the complaint) an opportunity to resolve the complaint allegations quickly , generally soon after the complaint has been opened for investigation. If both parties are interested , and if OCR determines that ECR is appropriate, OCR will facilitate settlement discussions between the parties and work with the parties to help them understand the legal standards and possible remedies. Second , complaints may also be resolved before the conclusion of an investigation if the institution that is the subject of the complaint (recipient) expresses an interest in resolving the complaint. This process is voluntary and must be requested by the recipient. OCR must determine that it is appropriate to resolve the complaint during the course of an investigation. If the voluntary resolution process has been determined appropriate , OCR will notify the complainant of the recipient's interest in resolving the complaint. The resolution agreement is negotiated between OCR and the recipient and will be aligned with the complaint allegations, issues investigated, and information obtained during the investigation. A copy of the signed resolution agreement will be included with the resolution letter. OCR will then monitor the implementation of the resolution agreement. For your information, we have enclosed OCR 's Complaint Processing Procedures to provide you with an overview of OCR ' s complaint evaluation and resolution processes. 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 , that individual may file a 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 , which , if released , could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. If you have any questions about this letter, please contact me at (214) 661-9650 or thomas.stack @ed.gov , or you may contact my Supervisory Attorney/Team Leader , Terri Gonzales, at (214) 661-9687 or terri.gonzales @ed.gov. (b)(6); (b)(7(C) 01,1as . tac Office for Civil Rights Dallas Otlice Enclosure: OCR's Complaint Processing Procedures INITIAL DATA REQUEST OCR Case No. 06 I 72217 Southern University and A&M Colleg e (the University) lb6; b7A: b7C b6; MC