About ED CONTACTS


Skip Office Navigation
OCR: Office for Civil Rights!
   Current Section
Title IX: Sexual Harassment: Tufts University (01-10-2089)

On April 28, 2014, OCR issued a Title IX violation letter of findings and letter of pending enforcement action to Tufts University (University). OCR’s investigation was initiated because of a complaint alleging that the University failed to take prompt and equitable steps in response to a student’s report that she was sexually assaulted. Based on a broad investigation, OCR concluded that the University failed to provide a prompt and equitable response to complaints of sexual harassment/violence, as required by Title IX, and, for the student, this failure allowed for the continuation of a hostile environment that limited and denied her access to the educational opportunities. OCR also found that the University’s current policies and procedures do not comport with the applicable Title IX requirements. The University initially signed an agreement on April 17, 2014, committing to take specific steps to address sexual violence harassment/violence. However, the University reversed its signature to the agreement on April 26, 2014. As a result, the letter issued by OCR found the University to be in breach of the agreement. On May 8, 2014, the University cured the breach by reversing its revocation of its signature. OCR is now monitoring the University’s implementation of the agreement. The agreement requires the University to address sexual harassment /violence in a comprehensive manner that not only requires clear notice of its commitment and the applicable processes for responding in a prompt and equitable manner to sexual harassment/violence allegations, but also requires them to assess the effectiveness of the steps it takes and, with OCR review and approval, take additional steps that may be necessary. These further steps will ensure that students are not subjected to a sexually hostile climate on the University’s campuses and are confident that the University is committed to responding promptly and effectively should sexual harassment occur.

Read the Press Release | Read the Resolution Letter download files MS WORD (166K) download files PDF (545K) | Read the Resolution Agreement download files MS WORD (114K) download files PDF (120K)

 



   
Last Modified: 09/25/2018