The U.S. Education Department's (ED) Office of Civil Rights (OCR) has officially notified the University of Connecticut (UConn) of a federal investigation following complaints of Title IX violations.
Several current and former students filed a federal complaint in Oct. because they felt the school failed in some way or another to follow through on reports of sexual assault committed against them. An official with the ED confirmed to the Huffington Post the complaint had been reviewed and an investigation has begun.
If UConn is found to have not properly followed through on reports of sexual assault, or not adjudicated a guilty perpetrator, they could be subject to punishment under violations of the federal gender-equity Title IX law.
"The university expected and welcomes this review," said UConn general counsel Richard Orr. "We look forward to working with their staff as they examine the policies and practices that UConn employs to prevent sexual assault and discrimination, to educate our community on these important issues, and to provide victims with the resources they need."
The ED did not say whether or not they would include a Clery Act complaint in their investigation. The Clery Act requires schools to release an annual transparency report including all campus crimes.
The school is also facing a Title IX lawsuit, filed by four students involved in filing the OCR complaint and represented by civil rights attorney Gloria Allred. The complaint and the lawsuit allege university police dropped or closed sexual misconduct cases without interviewing all witnesses and/or reviewing all evidence.
Kylie Angell, one of the complainants and a 2013 graduate from UConn, claims her attacker was found guilty, but was allowed back on campus two weeks later. She also said she was not warned his expulsion was lifted and he would be returning to campus.
Another complainant, Carolyn Luby, wrote an open letter critical of the school's updated logo for looking too menacing and intimidating. She claims to have received threats of death and rape following the letter. She said when she reported the threats to the school, they told her to keep a low profile on campus.
UConn president Susan Herbst responded to these allegations in Oct., shortly after the complaint was filed. Many students, complainants and non-complainants were not pleased with the way the school's leader responded.
One student said Herbst showed no compassion for the complainants' claims by denying their validity. She also said the school should be considered a national leader in responding to sexual misconduct.