The University of Chicago Responds to National Sexual Assault Investigation

Lee Edwards | As of Wednesday, May 7, 2014

The University of Chicago is one of 55 colleges and universities across the country under investigation for alleged sexual assaults on its' campus.
The University of Chicago is one of 55 colleges and universities across the country under investigation for alleged sexual assaults on its' campus.

The United States Department of Education recently released a list of 55 public and private universities and colleges across the country that are under federal investigation for the manner in which they handle student sexual assault allegations. The University of Chicago (UC) is on that list.

The investigation was prompted by the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault established by President Barack Obama in January, and executed under Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972 . Under Title IX, all federal financially assisted colleges and universities must promptly and thoroughly respond to any and all cases of sexual assaults on its grounds.

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“The University has a particular commitment to addressing sexual misconduct and unlawful harassment and discrimination involving students. Over the years, this commitment has led to the creation of important student support programs such as the Sexual Assault Dean-on-Call, the Bias Response Team, and RSVP (Resources for Sexual Violence Prevention); the growth of confidential resources offered by the Student Counseling Service; and special training for University police officers in responding to acts of sexual violence.” - Steve Kloehn, Associate Vice President for News and Public Affairs for the University of Chicago

The Department of Education specified that the investigation was in response to individual complaints by students.

Steve Kloehn, Associate Vice President for News and Public Affairs for the University of Chicago, provided the following statement to the Chicago Citizen Newspaper in regards to the matter.

"In connection with a complaint filed last March, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (Region V) informed the University in mid-January that it wanted to gather additional information. The OCR asked to review certain records and interview staff members. It also asked to meet with selected focus groups of students to discuss their experiences with the University’s policies and practices regarding sexual misconduct. Building on a history of productive collaboration with the OCR, the University has made every effort to comply with the spirit and letter of this inquiry, and will incorporate any OCR findings into its ongoing efforts to provide for the best possible campus climate. The University is committed to ensuring that its educational programs and work environment are free from unlawful discrimination under Title IX. The University has a particular commitment to addressing sexual misconduct and unlawful harassment and discrimination involving students. Over the years, this commitment has led to the creation of important student support programs such as the Sexual Assault Dean-on-Call, the Bias Response Team, and RSVP (Resources for Sexual Violence Prevention); the growth of confidential resources offered by the Student Counseling Service; and special training for University police officers in responding to acts of sexual violence.”

According to UC's student manual, last updated on March 7, 2014, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking are identified as criminal acts that violate the standards of the UC community and that UC is obligated to respond to complaints of this nature without exception. The manual states:

Anyone may choose to bring forward a complaint within the University instead of, or in addition to, seeking redress outside the institution in the legal system. Someone with a complaint of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking may also opt to pursue his or her case via the legal system without engaging the University's disciplinary process, although, in the interest of community safety, the University may be obliged to pursue an alleged sexual assault through internal disciplinary procedures. Unlike the State of Illinois, the University does not impose a time limit after which it will not consider formal complaints of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking.

“I’m glad they are investigating it,” said second year UC student, Paige Williams said. “Obviously, sexual assault didn’t originate on college campuses but it is a huge issue and I think it’s important that we’re transparent that it’s going on and that we acknowledge that it happens and try to honestly, openly address it instead of trying to hide it.”

“The investigation should prompt institutions like this one to take better action and to work on their rhetoric and help support survivors of sexual assault rather than demonize them,” said fourth year UC student Aerik Francis.

For more information about visit https://www.notalone.gov/.

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