Since being placed under federal investigation, Princeton University has announced multiple changes to how the school handles sexual misconduct on campus.
According to the Associated Press, the New Jersey Ivy League school may form a team of investigators to examine how authorities have responded to sexual assault complaints in the past. Princeton has been under investigation from the U.S. Education Department's (ED) Office of Civil Rights since 2010 for Title IX compliance.
The ED declined to comment, as Princeton's is an ongoing case.
"In conversations over the summer with OCR about its pending review of Princeton's practices in these areas, it became clear that we needed to modify our sexual misconduct policies and procedures to become fully compliant with current Title IX requirements, and that in the interest of fairness to all members of our community we should make these changes as promptly as possible," Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber said in a statement. "I am grateful to the faculty members, students and others who were willing to make time over the summer to develop these recommendations in such a thoughtful manner.
"As a University, we take all matters of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment and violence, very seriously, and we want to be sure we have policies in place that are effective, fair, transparent and fully compliant with all statutory and regulatory requirements."
The main purpose of the three-member investigating team, the AP reported, would be to set a higher standard for authorities who investigate sexual misconduct claims from students. Another recommendation is to change the standards of evidence in such cases to move away from it being "clear and persuasive." Eisgruber also announced the school would form a committee made up of administrators, faculty and students.
Princeton has said it will unveil the plan to the faculty on Sept. 15 and to the Council of the Princeton University Community on Sept. 29.
