Carnegie Mellon U. Accused of Violating Title IX Requirements
PITTSBURGH — A Title IX complaint has been filed against Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), claiming that school administrators and campus police were flippant when a female student reported that she had been abused by her ex-girlfriend.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed the complaint on behalf of a student identified as Gabrielle, who says she started a relationship with another woman who was in her academic program during her freshman year. During the relationship, Gabrielle claims that the girlfriend became verbally and sexually abusive. After the two broke up, the ex-girlfriend stalked Gabrielle, The Post-Gazette reports.
Despite CMU officials setting up a “no contact agreement” between the former couple, they were allowed to remain in the same classes. Then, during Gabrielle’s sophomore year, the ex-girlfriend moved into an apartment across the hall and engaged in violent outbursts. When Gabrielle contacted campus police to file a report against the abusive behavior, she claims officers accused her of seeking revenge. Additionally, the student claims the officer questioned why she had been involved in the relationship if her ex-girlfriend was so abusive.
CMU’s disciplinary committee found the ex-girlfriend guilty, but just ordered her to seek counseling and have no contact with Gabrielle. A representative for the ACLU said they were hoping for a possible suspension and that the current punishment sends a horrible message to students who are getting abused.
The university has not commented on the complaint, but said it takes Title IX obligations very seriously.
Related Articles:
- Abuse: The Dark Side of Dating on Campus
- Stalking on Campus: A Silent Epidemic
- Your Clery Compliance Cheat Sheet
- Lack of Training, Policies Prevent Clery, Title IX Compliance
- April 2011 ‘Dear Colleague’ Letter on Sex Crime Protocol
- How to Comply With the Dept. of Ed’s Title IX Sexual Violence Guidance
- How to Investigate Campus Sexual Assaults
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