Resulting from the widely publicized Title IX complaint at Columbia University, the Ivy League institution's undergraduate women's college, Barnard, has been placed under federal investigation.
According to the Huffington Post, the investigation started on Dec. 29, 2014 and, along with the University of San Diego and Purchase College, pushed the total number of Title IX investigations to 94. The U.S. Education Department's Office of Civil Rights also closed a number of investigations in the past year.
The Columbia complaint is not limited to sexual assault and harassment, but also includes allegations the school mishandled disability cases. The complaint received national attention when the New York Times reported on Emma Sulkowicz carrying her mattress around campus until the man she claims raped her is punished. A visual arts major, Sulkowicz's demonstration was a school project soon adopted by other students in solidarity.
The feds have not said if Columbia University will be under investigation as a whole, and as of now the probe will be limited to Barnard, the school's female-only undergraduate liberal arts college.
"Barnard does not tolerate violence or discrimination of any kind, and we are deeply committed to maintaining a campus environment that is safe for every member of our community," Amy Zavadil, Barnard's associate dean for equity and Title IX coordinator, told the HP in a statement. "Senior administrators are carefully reviewing the OCR inquiry and will respond in accordance with applicable law, and in a manner consistent with our own core values as an institution. As this is an ongoing matter, it would be premature to comment any further at this time."
Title IX is a federal law that condemns sexual discrimination, which includes assault and harassment. Punishments for colleges and universities can include loss of federal funding. Title IX probes can also require schools to change their policies and procedures.
