UNITED STATES DEPARTM ENT OF EDUCATION
OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
400 MARYLAND AVENUE, SW
WASHINGT ON, DC 20202-1475

REGION XI
NO RTH CAROLINA
SOUTH CAROLJ NA
VIRGIN IA
WASHING TON, DC

February I, 20 17

rX6);

(bX7(C)

Re:

OCR Complaint No . 11-16-2254
Notification Letter

Dear l<b)(6 ); (b)(7(C )
On July 6, 2016 , the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Education (the
Department) received your complaint against Methodist University (the University). You allege
that Methodist University discriminated a ainst you on the basis of sex . Specifically, the
complaint alleges that , from (b)(6); (b)(? (C)
the University failed to promptly and
equitably respond to comp laints, reports , and/or incidents of sexual violence of which it had
notice , including your complaint of sexual assault, thereby creating for students a sexually
host ile environment.

If you disagree with the way OCR stated your allegation, please contact the OCR staff person
identified below within 10 days of the date of this letter.
OCR enforces Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and its impleme nting
regulation at 34 C.F .R. Part I 06, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in any
program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department. Because the
University receives Federal financia l assistance from the Department, OCR has jurisdic tion over
it pursuant to Title IX.
Because OCR determined that it has jurisdiction and that the complaint was timely filed, OCR is
opening the complaint for investigation. Please note that opening the complaint for investigation
in no way implies that OCR has made a determination on the merits of the complaint. During
the invest igation, OCR is a neutral fact-finder, collecting and analyzing relevant evidence from
you, the University, and other sources , as appropriate. OCR will ensure that its investigation is
legally sufficient and fully responds to the complaint in accordance with the provisions of the
Case Processing Manual, available at http://www .ed.gov/ocr/docs/ocrcpm .pdf.
Please be advised that the University must not harass, coerce, intimidate, discriminate, or
otherwise retaliate against an individual because that individual asserts a right or privilege under
a law enforced by OCR or files a complaint, testifies , or participates in an OCR proceeding . If
this happens, the individ ual may file a retaliation complaint with OCR.
The Department of Education's mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness
byfosteringeducational excellence and ensuringequalaccess.
www.ed.gov

 Page 2 - OCR Complaint No. 11-16-2254

Under the Freedom of Information Act, it may be necessary to release this document and related
correspondence and records upon request. If OCR receives such a request, we will seek to
protect personally identifiable information that could reasonably be expected to constitute an
unwarranted invasion of personal privacy ifrelea sed, to the extent provided by law.
If you have any questions, please contact Kathryne Love, the OCR attorney assigned to this
complaint, at 202-453-6948 or Kathryne.Love@ed.gov.
Sincerel,c

(b)(6)

David Hensel
Supervisory Attorney
District of Columbia Office
Office for Civil Rights

 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCA TION
OFFICE FORCIVIL RIGHTS
400 MARYLAN D AVENUE, SW
WASHING TON , DC 20202-1475

REGION XI
NORTH CAROLINA
SOUTH CAROLINA
VlRG IN IA
WASHI NGTON, DC

February 1, 2017

Via First -Class Mail and Facsimile to (910) 630-7000
Dr. Ben E. Hancock , Jr.
President
Methodist University
5400 Ramsey Street
Fayetteville , North Carolina 28311
Re:

OCR Complaint No. 11-16-2254
Notification/Data Request Letter

Dear Dr. Hancock:
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Education (the Department)
received a complaint on July 6, 2016 a ainst Methodist University (the University). The
Complainant alleges that , from (b)(5); (b)(?(C)
the University failed to promptly
and equitably respond to complaints, reports , and/or incidents of sexual violence of which it had
notice , including her complaint of sexual assault, thereby creating for students a sexually hostile
environment.
OCR will contact the University to provide the name of the Complainant.
OCR enforces Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 {Title IX) and its implementing
regulation at 34 C.F .R. Part 106, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, including
sexual harassment, in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance from the
Department. Because the University receives Federal financial assistance from the Department ,
OCR has jurisdiction over it pursuant to Title IX.
Because OCR determined that it has jurisdiction and that the complaint was timely filed, OCR is
opening the complaint for investigation. Please note that opening the complaint for investigation
in no way implies that OCR has made a determination on the merits of the complaint. During
the investigation, OCR is a neutral fact-finder, collecting and analyzing relevant evidence from
the Complainant, the University, and other sources, as appropriate. OCR will ensure that its
investigation is legally sufficient and fully responds to the allegation in accordance with the
provisions of the Case Processing Manual, available at http://www .ed.gov/ocr/docs/ocrcpm .pdf .
Our goal is the prompt , appropriate resolution of the complaint. Information on OCR's
complaint processing procedures is available at http://www .ed.gov/ocr/complaint s-how.html.

The Department of Education's mission is to promote student achievement and preparationfo r globalcompetitiveness
byfostering educationalexcellence and ensuring equal access.
wurw.ed.gov

 Page 2 - OCR Complaint No. 11-16-2254
Attached is a request for data necessary to investigate this complaint. OCR requests that the
Univers ity submit this information within 30 calendar days of the date of this letter (i.e., by
March 3, 2017). We prefer that you submit information electronically, if feasible . If any item in
our request is unclear, or if you experience any difficulty complying with this request, please
contact us as provided below prior to the expiration of the 30-day period. Please be aware that
OCR anticipates conducting an on-site investigation of the complaint. We will notify you in
advance of our proposed plans to visit the University.
Please be advised that the University must not harass, coerce, intimidate, discriminate, or
otherwise retaliate against an individual because that individual asserts a right or privi lege under
a law enforced by OCR or files a complaint, testifies, or participates in an OCR proceeding. If
this happens, the individual may file a retaliation complaint with OCR.
Under the Freedom of Information Act, it may be necessary to release this document and related
correspondence and records upon request. If OCR receives such a request, we will seek to
protect personally identifiable information that could reasonably be expected to constitute an
unwarranted invasion of personal privacy if released, to the extent provided by law.
We look forward to your cooperation during the resolution of this complaint. If you have any
questions, please contact Kathryne Love, the OCR attorney assigned to this complaint, at 202453-6948 or Kathryne.Love@ed.gov.

Siucere)y

(b)(6)

David Hensel
Supervisory Attorney
District of Columbia Office
Office for Civil Rights

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(b)(6); (b)(7(C),(b)(7)(A)
of the Freedom of Inf ormation and Privacy Act