UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS, REGION I
5 POST OFFICE SQUARE , gTH FLOOR
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02109- 392 1

JULO5 2016
(b)(6);(b)(7(C)

Re:

Complaint No. 01-16-2013
Northeastern University

Dear!<b)(6);(b)(7(C) I:
The U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Ri ts (OCR) has received the abovereferenced complaint you filed on behalf of (b)(6);(b)(?(C)
'------~-----~..,....-,----,-..----'
l<b)(6);(b)(7(C)
I(Students) against Northeastern
University (the University), in which you
alleged discrimination on the basis of sex. Specifically, you alleged that the University failed to
respond promptly and equitably to each Student's complaint of sexual violence (b)(?)(A)
l<b)(?)(A)
!(Allegation I). OCR has determined that this aJlegation is appropnate or
investigation. OCR has determined that it will also investigate whether the University failed to
respond promptly and equitably to reports and/or incidents of sexual violence of which it had
notice and whether students were subjected to a sexually hostile environment (Allegation 2).
OCR is responsible for enforcing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Tide IX), as
amended, 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., and its implementingregulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106, which
prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex. Sexual violence and sexual harassment are forms of
sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX. The University is subject to Title IX because it is a
recipient of Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.
Because OCR has determined that it has jurisdiction and that the complaint was filed in a timely
manner, it is opening the 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 from you, 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, which can be found online at:
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/ocrcpm.htrnl.
In accordance with OCR's case processing procedures, OCR has consolidated the investigation
of your complaint with OCR Complaint No. 01-14-2182, in which OCR is currently addressing
similar allegations.

The Department of Education 's mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by
fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access .

 Page 2 of2- ...
l<b_)<6_); _
<bl_<7<
_c)___

I; OCR Case No. 01-16-2013

....

Please be advised that regulations enforced by OCR prohibit retaliation. Specifically, the
regulations state that no recipient or other person shall intimidate, threaten, coerce or
discriminate against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege
secured by regulation s enforced by OCR or because one has made a complaint, testified, assisted
or participated in any manner in an investigation , proceeding or hearing held in connection with
a complaint. Ifthls happens, you may file 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 constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
OCR will contact you periodically to discuss the investigation and the complaint resolution
process. In the interim, if you have any questions. you may contact Senior Civil Rights Attorney
Eric Olick at (617) 289-0021 or by e-mail at Eric.Olick(w,ed.gov.

 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS, REGION I

5 POST OFFICE SQUARE , gTH FLOOR
BOSTON. MASSACHUSETTS 02109-3921

JULO5 2016
Dr. Joseph E. Aoun
President
Northeastern University
360 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
Re:

Comp]aint No. 01-16-2013
Northeastern University

Dear President Aoun:
The U.S. Department of Education , Office for Civil Ri ts OCR has received the above5
7
<b_l<_ l_;(b_l<_ <_c _) ------------referenced complaint that was filed on behalf of ....
l<b)(5); (b)(7(C)
I (Students) against Northeastern University (the University) , alleging
discrimination on the basi s of sex. Specifically , the Complainant alleged that the Universit
failed to respond promptly and equitably to each Student' s complaint of sexual violence (b)(?)(A)
l<b)(?)(A)
kAHegation l ). OCR has detennined that thi s allegation is appropriate for
investigation. OCR has detennined that it will also investigate whether the University failed to
respond promptly and equitably to reports and/or incidents of sexual violence of which it had
notice and whether students were subjected to a sexuaJly hostile environment (Allegation 2).
OCR notes that it is currently investigating the University' s compliance with Title IX based on
other complaints that were filed against the University. In accordance with OCR's case
processing procedures , OCR has consolida ted the investigation of this complaint with OCR
Complaint No. 01-14-2182 , in which OCR is currently addressing similar allegations.
OCR is responsible for enforcing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), as
amended , 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seg., and its imp]ementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106, which
prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex . SexuaJ violence and sexual harassment are fonns of
sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX. The University is subject to Title IX because it is a
recipient of Federal fmanciaJ assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.
Because OCR has detennined that it has jurisdiction and that the comp]aint was filed in a timely
manner, it is opening the allegation s for investigation . Please note that opening the aJlegations
for investigation in no way implies that OCR has made a detennination with regard to their
merits. During the investigation , OCR is a neutral fact-finder , collecting and ana)yzing 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 a11egations,in accordance with
the provisions of OCR ' s Case Processing Manual , which can be found online at:
http://www 2.ed .gov,about/offices/Jist'ocr/docs/ocrcpm.html .

The Departmentof Ed11cation
's mission is to promote student achievementand preparationfor global competitivenessby
fos1eringeducationalexcellenceand ensuringequal access.

 Page 2 of2-President Joseph E. Aoun; OCR Case No. 01-16-2013
We have enclosed a preliminary data request. Because some of this information was previously
submitted in conjunction with the prior OCR complaint (Complaint No. 01-14-2182),a reference
to specific data that was previously submitted and an update of information will be adequate as a
response. Please provide the data to this office within I 5 calendar days from the date of this
letter. Please also preserve any and all records that may be relevant to the issues raised by this
complaint, in hard copy or electronicfonnat, as applicable.
Please be advised that regulations enforced by OCR prohibit retaliation. Specifically, the
regulations state that no recipient or other person shall intimidate, threaten, coerce or
discriminate against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege
secured by regulations enforced by OCR or because one has made a complaint, testified, assisted
or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding or hearing held in connection with
a complaint. If this happens, another complaint may be filed alleging such treatment.
Under the Freedom of Information Act, it may be necessary to release this document and related
cotTespondenceand 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 infonnation that if released,
could constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
If you have any questions regarding this Jetter, please contact Senior Civil Rights Attorney Eric
Olick. Mr. Olick can be reached at (617) 289-0021 or by e-mail at Eric.Olick(w,ed.gov. Please
refer to Complaint Number O1-16-2013in all your contacts with OCR.

(b)(6); (b)(7(C)

Enclosure

 Data Request
Complaint No. 01-16-2013
Recipient: Northeastern Universi!}'
Complainant: l<b)(5 ); (b)(? (C)

I

r )(6); (b)(7(C)

(b)(7)(A)

 Page 2 Northeastern University, Complaint N0. 01-16-2913

 



 

 

 

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