Boston University remains under Title IX investigation
The case under investigation has been open since December 2013
The U.S Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released a list on February 24th of the high education institutions under investigation for possible violations of federal law, specifically over the handling of sexual violence and harassment.
Title IX, amended in 1972, prohibits “discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs.”
All colleges and universities receiving federal funds must comply with Title IX. Not abiding to do so makes them a target for federal investigation.
Unfortunately, BU was added to the list in 2014 and after being updated last week, still remains under investigation for a case in December 2013.
“We are making this list available in an effort to bring more transparency to our enforcement work and to foster better public awareness of civil rights,” Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon said.
The department will not release any case-specific investigations, but if any member of the student population at BU experiences sexual violence or harassment, there are vital resources available on campus.
The Boston University Sexual Assault Prevention Center, or SARP, rotates counselors 24 hours a day. The hotline can be reached at 617-353-SARP (7277), and is 100 percent confidential.
The Boston Rape Crisis Center hotline can be reached at 800-841-8371
One in five women will experience sexual harassment or misconduct before they graduate college, and one in 20 men will as well. It is also unacceptable to be discriminated upon based on gender or sex. As a student at Boston University, everyone is allowed their rights under Title IX.