On September 21, 2015, OCR issued its letter of  findings regarding its sexual violence  compliance review of the  University of Virginia  (University).  OCR examined whether the  University responded promptly and equitably to complaints, reports and any  other notice of incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence, and whether  any failure to respond appropriately allowed for the creation and continuation  of a sexually hostile environment.  OCR’s investigation found UVA to be in  violation of Title IX for  failing to promptly and equitably respond to  some complaints of sexual violence.  OCR also found  that a basis for a  hostile environment existed for affected students at the University and that  the University failed to eliminate a hostile environment and take steps to  prevent its recurrence during academic years 2008-09 through 2011-12, and with  respect to specific concerns identified in 2013 and 2014.    OCR  also found that prior to the adoption of its current policy, the policies used  by UVA to investigate and respond to sexual violence did not provide for the  prompt and equitable resolution of student and employee complaints.  In  addition, OCR found that the University did not adequately distribute its  Title-IX-required notice to students and others that it does not discriminate  on the basis of sex, and that the Title IX coordinator did not adequately  oversee and coordinate all Title IX complaints.  On September 17,  2015,  the University entered into a resolution agreement before OCR  completed its investigation. Under the agreement, the University has agreed to  continue to implement its revised policies and to notify OCR of any proposed  revisions, ensure that agreements with student organizations - including  fraternities and sororities - clearly state that sexual harassment, sexual  violence and retaliation are prohibited and that the failure of an  organization’s student members to comply with the Title IX policy may result in  the University severing all ties with the organization.  In addition, the  University has agreed to a comprehensive education and prevention program about  the school’s policies and procedures regarding sexual assault/violence;   regular training of  all members of the UVA community on issues related to  sexual harassment and sexual violence, the requirements of Title IX, and the  university’s policies and procedures when a student reports possible sexual  harassment and sexual violence; improve outreach to and feedback from students,  including conducting focus groups; conducting an annual climate assessment to  determine students’ attitudes and knowledge regarding sexual harassment and  sexual violence;  develop and implement a system for tracking and  reviewing all reports, investigations, interim measures and resolutions of  student and employee conduct that may constitute sexual harassment or sexual  violence, to ensure that such reports are adequately, reliably, promptly, and  impartially investigated and resolved;  and determine whether students  know to whom and how to report such conduct, identify potential barriers to  reporting, tracking of its responses and handling of all sexual  assault/violence allegations; and reexamination of complaints filed from  academic year 2011-12, 2012-13, and 2013-14, including providing appropriate  remedies that may still be available to the complainants in these cases and  remedies that may be necessary to address the climate of the larger University  community.

***Read the Press Release | Read the Resolution Letter PDF**(490K)**| Read the Resolution Agreement PDF**(264K)*

  

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