HANOVER, N.H. — In response to the claims that Dartmouth College has failed to report sexual assault crimes to the U.S. Department of Education, the department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has launched an investigation for Title IX violations against the college.
In May, 30 Dartmouth students and alumni filed a Clery Act complaint against the college, claiming violations included sexual assault, gender-based sexual, racial and religious discrimination, hate crimes, bullying and hazing. Despite complainants’ interest in filing a Title IX complaint, they opted to file a Clery Act complaint because it was easier and addressed issues beyond gender-based sexual violence, The Dartmouth reports.
Some students are surprised OCR had decided to pursue its own Title IX investigation, rather than following up on the Clery Act complaint. If OCR finds Dartmouth in violation of Title IX, the school could possibly lose federal funding.
Dartmouth officials stated that the college has taken steps to reduce sexual assaults on campus, including education, increased accountability, staffing and coordination.
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