Students Accuse Columbia U of Violating Title IX, Clery Act Laws

A group of 23 Columbia University and Barnard College students have filed complaints against the schools claiming that officials mishandle sexual assaults.

As many as 23 students at Columbia University and its affiliated women’s school Barnard College have filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education claiming alleged violations of Title IX, Title II and the Clery Act.

Allegations included in the 100-page complaint included the following:

  • Assault victims are discouraged from formally reporting
  • Serial offenders are allowed to remain on campus
  • Assault survivors have been retaliated against and discriminated in housing
  • LGBTQ students face discrimination in counseling, advising, adjudication, and Greek life
  • Students do not receive accommodations based on mental health disabilities
  • Sanctions for perpetrators are too lenient
  • Students are not reliably informed of campus violence

A student at Barnard College, Rakhi Agrawal, said she was placed on disciplinary and academic probation because she was a mental health liability, Columbia Spectator reports.

A spokesperson for Columbia University said officials are seeking ways to improve how the college deals with sexual assault allegations.

 

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