Page 1 - Defendants' Answer, Affirmative Defenses, and Counterclaim

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PORTLAND, OREGON 97204 

Michelle Barton Smigel, P.C., OSB No. 045530

michelle.smigel@millernash.com 

Michael Porter, P.C., OSB No. 003560 

mike.porter@millernash.com 

MILLER NASH GRAHAM & DUNN LLP 

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111 S.W. Fifth Avenue 

Portland, Oregon 97204 

Telephone: (503) 224-5858 

Facsimile: (503) 224-0155 

Attorneys for Defendants 

University of Oregon and Dana Dean Altman 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

DISTRICT OF OREGON 

EUGENE DIVISION 

JANE DOE, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

UNIVERSITY OF OREGON, DANA 

DEAN ALTMAN, as an individual, 

Defendants. 

CV No. 6:15-cv-00042-MC

DEFENDANTS' ANSWER, AFFIRMATIVE 

DEFENSES, AND COUNTERCLAIM 

JURY TRIAL DEMAND 

Title IX rights and student safety at the University of Oregon ("Oregon") are 

among Oregon's highest values and central to its mission. Therefore, when Oregon's efforts in 

service of that mission are falsely maligned, Oregon must set forth the facts. Otherwise, 

survivors of sexual misconduct will be chilled from coming forward, which would prevent 

Oregon from (1) providing critical services and accommodations to survivors and (2) pursuing 

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Page 2 - Defendants' Answer, Affirmative Defenses, and Counterclaim

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disciplinary actions against assailants so they are held accountable. Oregon further affirms that it 

has not violated any confidentiality laws with respect to any students' records. The allegations of 

wrongdoing against Oregon and Dana Altman are false, and therefore Oregon and Altman deny 

them. 

RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S INTRODUCTION 

1. Answering paragraph 1, defendants state that plaintiff describes claims 

alleged in the complaint but deny the implication of wrongdoing. Regarding the assertion that 

there was a "forcible rape," that is an allegation of a specific crime. The District Attorney's 

Office declined to prosecute for that crime after determining there was insufficient evidence for 

such a prosecution. In addition, defendants were not present during the alleged acts of "forcible 

rape" and therefore lack sufficient knowledge and information to admit or deny whether there 

was a "forcible rape," and, therefore deny that allegation. Defendants further deny that any 

sexual activity occurred "within an educational program or activity" because plaintiff admits that 

the sexual activity at issue occurred off campus at private residences over which Oregon has no 

control. 

RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S ALLEGATIONS REGARDING PARTIES, 

JURISDICTION, AND VENUE

2. Answering paragraph 2, defendants admit that plaintiff is a resident of 

Clackamas County, Oregon, and a current student at Oregon. 

3. Answering paragraph 3, defendants admit that Oregon is a government 

educational institution with its primary campus in Eugene, Oregon. 

4. Answering paragraph 4, defendants admit that Oregon receives federal 

funding and is subject to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 USC § 1681 (a). 

5. Answering paragraph 5, defendants admit that Altman is a resident of 

Lane County, Oregon, and an employee of Oregon. 

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6. Answering paragraph 6, defendants admit that this court has jurisdiction 

pursuant to 28 USC § 1331 and 28 USC § 1367. 

7. Answering paragraph 7, defendants admit that venue in this district is 

proper pursuant to 28 USC § 1391(b). 

RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S GENERAL ALLEGATIONS 

PLAINTIFF'S SECTION TITLED "SUMMARY" 

8. Answering paragraph 8, defendants admit that on March 8, 2014, plaintiff 

was enrolled as a freshman at Oregon. The remaining allegations concern alleged acts of others 

at a private residence. Oregon has no control over the private residence and was not present 

there, and accordingly, defendants lack sufficient knowledge and information to admit or deny 

the remaining allegations of paragraph 8 and therefore deny them. 

9. Answering paragraph 9, which concerns the alleged acts of others at a 

private residence, Oregon did not control the individuals described or the private residence and 

was not present there. Accordingly, defendants lack sufficient knowledge and information to 

admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 9 and therefore deny them. 

10. Answering paragraph 10, which concerns the alleged acts of others at a 

private residence, Oregon did not control the individuals described or the private residence and 

was not present there. Accordingly, defendants lack sufficient knowledge and information to 

admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 10 and therefore deny them. 

11. Answering paragraph 11, which concerns the alleged acts of others at a 

private residence, Oregon did not control the individuals described or the private residence and 

was not present there. Accordingly, defendants lack sufficient knowledge and information to 

admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 11 and therefore deny them. 

12. Answering paragraph 12, which concerns the alleged acts of others at a 

private residence, Oregon did not control the individuals described or the private residence and 

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was not present there. Accordingly, defendants lack sufficient knowledge and information to 

admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 12 and therefore deny them. 

13. Answering paragraph 13, which concerns the alleged acts of others at a 

private residence, Oregon did not control the individuals described or the private residence and 

was not present there. Accordingly, defendants lack sufficient knowledge and information to 

admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 13 and therefore deny them. 

14. Answering paragraph 14, which concerns the alleged acts of others at a 

private residence, Oregon did not control the individuals described or the private residence and 

was not present there. Accordingly, defendants lack sufficient knowledge and information to 

admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 14 and therefore deny them. 

15. Answering paragraph 15, defendants admit that plaintiff's father contacted 

Oregon, specifically Oregon's police department, which informed Oregon's Title IX Coordinator 

and sexual assault response and support services team of the call and which directed plaintiff's 

father to the Eugene Police Department ("EPD"), because the matter involved an alleged crime 

off campus over which Oregon had no law enforcement jurisdiction. Defendants further state 

that Oregon directed plaintiff's father to resources for plaintiff, because plaintiff's father indicated 

that plaintiff did not want to report the allegations. Defendants lack sufficient knowledge and 

information to admit or deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 15 and therefore deny them. 

16. Answering paragraph 16, defendants deny that The Wall Street Journal

stated that the student who transferred from Providence (the "Student") "had been previously 

suspended at Providence College following an allegation of a gang rape" as alleged. Instead, the 

March 18, 2014, article, which was published months after the Student already transferred to 

Oregon, and after the alleged sexual assault of plaintiff, indicated (for the first time in any known 

media report) that the Student had been suspended from games (not from school) while at 

Providence for alleged sexual assault. Defendants deny that the allegation accurately represents 

the information in the article and therefore deny the allegation. 

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RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S ASSERTIONS THAT DEFENDANTS KNEW OF THE 

STUDENT'S PRIOR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT 

17. Answering paragraph 17, defendants admit that a student attended 

Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island ("Providence"), and that he was considered a 

skilled basketball player. Based upon documentation provided by Providence, defendants state 

that the Student began his college career at Providence. Oregon denies the remaining allegations 

and characterizations in paragraph 17. 

18. Answering paragraph 18, defendants lack sufficient knowledge and 

information regarding the nature of the allegations against the Student to admit or deny the 

allegations of paragraph 18 and therefore deny them. Defendants admit that the Student was 

suspended from playing in basketball games for a season at Providence but deny that he was 

suspended from all team activities, as alleged in paragraph 18. Defendants state that the 

suspension from games was reported in the media in December 2013 as being the result of an 

"unspecified violation," and defendants deny that the media reports indicated the Student's 

suspension from games related to a "gang rape" or sexual assault, as implied in paragraph 18. 

19. Answering paragraph 19, defendants admit that the Student was suspended 

from playing in basketball games for a season at Providence but deny that he was ultimately 

suspended from Providence or from all team activities, following conclusion of Providence's 

disciplinary process, as implied in paragraph 19. Defendants state that the suspension from 

games was reported in the media in December 2013 as being the result of an "unspecified 

violation," and defendants deny that the media reports indicated the Student's suspension from 

games related to a "gang rape" or sexual assault, as implied in paragraph 19. Further, it was 

subsequently reported that the finding of sexual misconduct was overturned.1

 Defendants lack 

sufficient knowledge and information to admit or deny whether the Student was found 

 

1

 Lynn Arditi, Panel's decision to bar Brandon Austin from Providence College campus was 

overturned by college vice president, Providence Journal, May 16, 2014. 

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"responsible for sexual assault" while at Providence but state that a Providence official was 

quoted in March 2014 media reports as "recommend[ing] against drawing any conclusions that 

[Providence's] process ended with a finding that [its] student-athlete was found responsible for 

sexual assault."2 Except as specifically admitted, defendants deny any further allegations of 

paragraph 19. 

20. Answering paragraph 20, defendants admit that the Student sought to 

transfer. Defendants lack sufficient knowledge and information about what plaintiff means by 

"immediately sought" and therefore deny that allegation. 

21. Answering paragraph 21, defendants admit that Altman and Oregon 

basketball coaching staff recruited the Student. To the extent that paragraph 21 implies that the 

Student was suspended from Providence or from all team activities, that is not accurate, and 

defendants deny the allegation. 

22. Answering paragraph 22, defendants admit that defendants engaged in an 

appropriately thorough investigation of the student's suspension in light of the circumstances and 

facts made available to defendants by Providence and that the investigation did not reveal the 

nature of the allegations. Defendants further admit that they asked the Student's mother and 

Providence coaching staff about the nature of the Student's discipline and that they were 

informed by Providence coaching staff that the discipline was not for a criminal matter and by 

the Student's mother that it related to an "altercation" between the Student and another 

individual. Neither Oregon nor Altman was told by the Student, the Student's mother, the 

Student's family, the Student's friends, or any representative of Providence that the discipline 

related to alleged sexual misconduct, or even that a female was involved. Defendants further 

state that Providence sought to retain the Student, further confirming defendants' understanding 

and belief that it was appropriate to continue to recruit the Student. 

 

2

 Matthew Futterman and Rachel Bachman, Providence Police Investigating Players for Sexual 

Assault, The Wall Street Journal, March 18, 2014. 

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23. Answering paragraph 23, defendants deny that they were fully aware of 

the basis for the Student's season-long suspension from basketball games at Providence. 

Accordingly, defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 23. 

24. Answering paragraph 24, defendants deny the implication of the allegation 

that the Student's mother told Oregon or Altman that the Student had been accused of sexual 

misconduct at Providence. Defendants further state that plaintiff's allegation is vague, 

ambiguous, and provides no context for the alleged quoted language. Defendants therefore deny 

the allegations of paragraph 24. 

25. Answering paragraph 25, defendants admit that the Student was admitted 

to and provided a scholarship for basketball at Oregon and that he enrolled there in January 

2014. Defendants deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 25. 

26. Answering paragraph 26, defendants admit that the Student was not 

permitted to play during the 2013-2014 season due to NCAA eligibility rules for transfer 

students and admit that the Student enrolled at Oregon. Defendants deny that Altman has the 

authority to grant "full academic and athletic privileges" and deny any implication of 

wrongdoing in paragraph 26. 

27. Answering paragraph 27, defendants state that no specific conduct 

conditions were unique to the Student because they had no information suggesting that such 

conditions were necessary or appropriate. Defendants deny the remaining allegations or 

implications of paragraph 27. 

28. Answering paragraph 28, Oregon and Altman did not "knowingly [bring] 

a reported sex offender" to the Oregon campus and deny that allegation and the remaining 

allegations of paragraph 28. 

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RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S ASSERTIONS OF DEFENDANTS' DELAY IN 

RESPONDING 

29. Answering paragraph 29, defendants state that plaintiff's father reported an 

alleged rape on March 9, 2014, to Oregon's police department, and that plaintiff's father stated 

that plaintiff did not want to report the incident, that he did not have the names of the alleged 

perpetrators, and that he did not know whether the alleged incident occurred on campus or off 

campus but he believed it was off campus. Except as specifically admitted, defendants deny the 

allegations of paragraph 29. 

30. Answering paragraph 30, defendants admit that no later than March 19, 

2014, then President Michael Gottfredson knew that plaintiff had made allegations of sexual 

assault. Defendants deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 30. 

31. Defendants deny the allegation of paragraph 31 that Oregon "took no 

action on the matter until May 2014." Defendants further state the following: Oregon's sexual 

assault response and support services team began reaching out to plaintiff the same day as her 

father's report to Oregon's police department. Plaintiff did not respond to calls from the sexual 

assault response and support services team for approximately four days. They nevertheless left 

phone messages and sent written correspondence to plaintiff and continued communications with 

plaintiff's father, advising both of them regarding support services available to plaintiff and 

reporting options, including plaintiff's right to report the incident to law enforcement and to file a 

Title IX complaint with Oregon. Plaintiff requested that Oregon delay its investigation until 

April 7, 2014, choosing first to file a police report with EPD in order to initiate the law 

enforcement process and pursue possible criminal prosecution. Consistent with Title IX 

guidance,3

 Oregon honored plaintiff's choice about how to proceed with the investigation and 

agreed to suspend its investigation during the active fact-gathering stage of EPD's law 

 

3

 The United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, issues guidance regarding 

Title IX. 

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enforcement investigation. Oregon also agreed, in accordance with EPD's and plaintiff's 

requests, not to take any administrative action that could compromise the EPD investigation by 

tipping off the players that something was wrong. On March 18, 2014, a day before Oregon's 

men's basketball team was scheduled to travel to the 2014 NCAA men's basketball tournament, 

Oregon contacted EPD to ensure the investigating officers were aware of the team's travel 

schedule and to offer to hold players back from tournament play to allow EPD to complete its 

investigation. EPD reiterated its prior request that Oregon continue to take no action that might 

compromise the law enforcement investigation process; preventing two players from traveling 

with the team would have alerted everyone that something was wrong and likely would have 

hindered law enforcement's investigation. On or around April 2, 2014, shortly before EPD 

completed the active fact-gathering stage of its investigation, plaintiff expressed concern 

regarding the pace of the law enforcement investigation to Oregon's sexual assault response and 

support services team. Accordingly, she met with Oregon's Title IX investigator the following 

day and was again advised of her right to transition to Oregon's internal Title IX complaint 

process. Plaintiff declined Oregon's offer to initiate its investigation at that time, electing to 

allow EPD additional time to complete the on-going, fact-gathering stage of the law enforcement 

investigation. On April 7, 2014, plaintiff asked Oregon to move forward with its internal 

investigation, which it did immediately. Although Oregon had suspended its investigation in 

accordance with plaintiff's request until April 7, 2014, Oregon took other actions in the 

meantime in accordance with Title IX. For example, Oregon's sexual assault response and 

support services team provided plaintiff regular support throughout March and April 2014, the 

period in which paragraph 31 of the complaint wrongly asserts that "[Oregon] took no action." 

During that time, Oregon offered to implement no-contact orders between plaintiff and the male 

students (which plaintiff declined), worked regularly to provide plaintiff with information about 

campus and other resources, provided information regarding both the law enforcement and 

internal Title IX process, and offered and implemented academic accommodations for plaintiff. 

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Oregon also repeatedly requested EPD's report or, short of that, any information EPD could 

provide, in order to facilitate prompt completion of Oregon's Title IX investigation. Oregon 

ultimately obtained the EPD report from the Lane County District Attorney's Office on April 24, 

2014, and thereafter completed its preliminary Title IX investigatory report on April 29, 2014. 

32. Answering paragraph 32, defendants state that, in accordance with Title 

IX guidance, Oregon took interim measures to protect plaintiff in the educational setting while 

suspending its own fact-finding investigation to allow EPD to complete the active fact gathering 

stage of its investigation.4 Defendants further state that on April 30, 2014, the day after Oregon 

completed its preliminary Title IX investigatory report and Altman reviewed the EPD report, the 

accused students were removed from the basketball team because Oregon determined that the 

conduct that the accused students did not dispute in the police report was inconsistent with 

Oregon's expectations for student athletes. In accordance with Oregon's Student Conduct Code 

set forth in Oregon Administrative Rule 571-021-0105 then in effect, Oregon then also 

implemented its disciplinary process to determine whether the responding students had violated 

the Student Conduct Code and determine whether Student Conduct Code sanctions were 

warranted. Defendants admit Altman received bonuses for wins in the tournament, but deny the 

implication that any decision by Oregon or Altman related in any way to compensation. 

Defendants note that the Student at the heart of plaintiff's allegations did not even travel to the 

tournament because he was not eligible to play due to NCAA transfer rules. Except as 

specifically admitted, Oregon denies the allegations of paragraph 32. 

33. Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 33 and took numerous 

actions to work with plaintiff to provide her with support, in addition to those described in 

 

4

 Plaintiff's attorneys' position now, as alleged in the complaint, is that despite plaintiff's own 

choice that Oregon allow the criminal investigation to proceed, Oregon should have then 

immediately ignored her request and foiled that investigation by alerting the three men to the 

criminal investigation, thereby interfering with EPD's ability to collect evidence. 

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response to paragraph 31, including offering plaintiff counseling services, providing plaintiff 

with safety information, offering plaintiff support throughout the criminal investigation process, 

and providing support and guidance concerning plaintiff's online presence. 

34. Answering paragraph 34, defendants deny that Oregon delayed taking any 

action on the alleged sexual assaults for over two months and deny that Oregon prioritized 

winning basketball games over the health, safety, and welfare or its students, including plaintiff. 

35. Answering paragraph 35, defendants state that EPD informed Oregon that 

it should not take any administrative action, which would include suspending the accused 

students from team activities, because such action could serve to tip off the accused and 

compromise EPD's investigation.5

 Therefore, defendants deny the allegations in paragraph 35. 

RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S ALLEGATIONS THAT "[OREGON] STRIKES A 

DISTURBING DEAL WITH THE THREE ATHLETES" 

36. Answering paragraph 36, Oregon states that it investigated the matter, 

beginning immediately when plaintiff asked it to, and that the basketball season concluded 

during the pendency of the fact gathering stage of EPD's investigation. Defendants admit that 

the story was widely covered in media reports at the close of basketball season, although many 

were largely erroneous. Defendants deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 36. 

37. Answering paragraph 37, Oregon admits that the Oregon Administrative 

Rule in place at the time provided for either a panel hearing or a hearing by an administrative 

 

5

 Plaintiff appears to be taking out of context a statement by EPD spokesperson Melinda 

McLaughlin that was reported in a misleading Oregonian article by John Canzano. Canzano 

wrote: "Eugene PD spokesperson Melinda McLaughlin told me on Wednesday that the [Eugene 

Police] department did ask the UO to delay its administrative review. However she also said, 

'Police are not going to be concerned about who participates in a sporting event.'" Despite 

Ms. McLaughlin's statement that EPD did ask Oregon to delay its administrative review, 

Canzano's article concludes that "[i]t's a cover-up at the University." See John Canzano, It's a 

Cover-up at the University of Oregon, Oregonian, May 9, 2014. Both EPD and plaintiff did ask 

Oregon to refrain from taking any action against the players until the police investigation had 

been completed, and Oregon honored those requests. 

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conference and that a panel hearing was initially scheduled and then, due to plaintiff's concerns 

about having to testify or otherwise participate in a formal panel hearing process, an 

administrative conference hearing was scheduled. 

38. Answering paragraph 38, Oregon admits that the Oregon Administrative 

Rule in place at the time specified a hearing as part of the disciplinary process. The Code of 

Conduct allowed for one of two types of proceedings at the accused students' request: an 

administrative conference in front of a single conduct officer wherein the accused students would 

not question the plaintiff or otherwise compel her presence, or a hearing in front of a panel of at 

least four people, where more formal rights to question the plaintiff existed. In consultation with 

plaintiff's attorney, Oregon proposed the administrative conference process to help protect 

plaintiff and ensure that she did not have to appear in front of a panel and be subject to the 

accused students' questioning. Plaintiff's attorney endorsed that process. At the administrative 

conference, Oregon still had the option to either (a) exonerate the accused students if no policy 

violation was found or (b) severely sanction them if a policy was later found to have been 

violated. Oregon admits that, as described in response to paragraph 37, it took steps for 

plaintiff's sake to encourage a process by which the accused students would waive their right to a 

full and formal panel hearing, and instead agree to the more informal process of an 

administrative conference, while preserving Oregon's ability to issue severe sanctions if a 

violation of the Code of Conduct was found. Defendants further state that plaintiff's attorney 

acknowledged that plaintiff would not receive a physical copy of the results of the administrative 

conference but instead, plaintiff was permitted to fully review the entire decision in the conduct 

officer's office. That was all part of the process agreed to up front in order to help encourage the 

administrative conference process instead of the formal panel hearing process. 

39. Answering paragraph 39, defendants deny that Oregon agreed to help the 

students transfer to another school by omitting the words “sexual misconduct” from their 

transcripts and guaranteeing lack of expulsion. Oregon states that plaintiff and the accused 

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students agreed that if the accused students were found responsible for a conduct code violation, 

the accused students' transcripts would refer to a student conduct code violation and, upon 

inquiry from another institution, the student's conduct record would be disclosed. 

40. Answering paragraph 40, defendants deny that Oregon Director of Student 

Conduct found all three men responsible for "gang raping" or sexually assaulting plaintiff. The 

Director of Student Conduct found all three men responsible for engaging in sexual conduct 

without explicit consent, which was listed as a violation of the then-in-effect Code of Conduct. 

Defendants state that the men were each suspended from Oregon for 4-10 years. 

41. Answering paragraph 41, defendants deny that any of the men were 

"adjudicated sex offenders." Oregon is not a prosecuting authority and has no authority to 

determine whether or not an individual is a "sex offender" under the law. Defendants further 

state that two of the male students transferred to other schools. Defendants lack information 

sufficient to admit or deny whether the two male students are playing basketball at the other 

schools. Defendants deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 41. 

42. Answering paragraph 42, defendants deny the allegation that Oregon 

significantly delayed completion of the disciplinary proceedings against the three men until 

immediately after the conclusion of the academic quarter. Oregon further states that it attempted 

to schedule hearings with the three male students (and their attorney advisors) as early as 

possible and attempted to schedule them prior to the end of the Spring academic term but were 

unable to do so due in large part to the schedules of the male students' attorney advisors. 

43. Answering paragraph 43, defendants deny the allegation that Oregon 

"delayed finalizing the disciplinary proceeding to allow the three players to complete the 

academic quarter in good standing and transfer out of the university without harming the 

basketball program's Academic Progress Rate * * * and incurring NCAA sanctions, including 

the loss of scholarships and/or postseason bans." Defendants deny the allegations of 

paragraph 43, which are assertions of a completely speculative and inaccurate local media report. 

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RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S ASSERTIONS THAT "[OREGON] UNLAWFULLY 

OBTAINS PLAINTIFF'S COUNSELING RECORDS"

44. Answering paragraph 44, defendants admit that Oregon's counsel and 

plaintiff's counsel have discussed the matters and the allegations. Defendants further state that 

plaintiff, through her lawyers, has asserted in writing that she is entitled to recover damages for 

emotional distress, and that plaintiff has made other assertions that directly place her emotional 

and psychological state at issue, including records maintained by Oregon, such as counseling 

records. Defendants lack sufficient knowledge and information to admit or deny the remaining 

allegations of paragraph 44, which relate to what specifically is in the records, and therefore 

deny them. 

45. Answering paragraph 45, defendants deny that there was a "release" of a 

file because the records are Oregon's records, and Oregon has not released such records to 

anyone outside of Oregon, or anyone within Oregon, who does not have a lawful basis to receive 

the records. Defendants deny the allegation that "counsel for plaintiff told [Oregon] officials and 

attorneys that [p]laintiff did not authorize the release of her privileged counseling file and 

instructed that the school administration and attorneys were not permitted to obtain those 

records." Defendants further deny that any such instruction would in any event preclude 

defendants' attorneys from obtaining records necessary to do their jobs. Further, plaintiff's 

attorney asserted, before records were transferred to the office for Oregon counsel, that the 

records included information relevant to plaintiff's claims and that plaintiff's counsel wanted 

copies of such records. Oregon further states that there are multiple legal bases for Oregon to 

collect and review plaintiff's counseling records including but not limited to the following. First, 

counseling records maintained by a University Counseling and Testing Center are governed by 

the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which allows Oregon to provide the records to 

its attorneys. In addition, the applicable Oregon Tort Claims Act allows a public body to collect, 

review, and investigate all relevant documents and facts after it receives notice of a plaintiff's 

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intent to sue it.6 Further, under Oregon law, a plaintiff who places her psychological state at 

issue by seeking damages for emotional distress waives any psychotherapist/patient privilege or 

doctor/patient privilege and is required to disclose counseling records related to her 

psychological state. Defendants also deny the implication that information related to plaintiff's 

counseling is not relevant. The counseling records may have information tending to confirm or 

rebut her allegations and, under Oregon law, Oregon is entitled to review them. Finally, 

although Oregon may lawfully review its records about plaintiff for the reasons stated above, 

Oregon has not done so. Rather, Oregon's counsel simply had the records gathered pursuant to 

plaintiff's Tort Claim Notice and because plaintiff's counsel had requested a copy of the records 

be sent to them. Accordingly, defendants deny the false allegations alleged in Paragraph 45 of 

plaintiff's complaint. 

46. Answering paragraph 46, defendants admit that Oregon appropriately 

gathered relevant records from Oregon employees. Defendants further state that the governing 

laws permit and encourage collecting records in such circumstances. Defendants deny the 

remaining allegations of paragraph 46. 

47. Answering paragraph 47, Oregon did not unlawfully collect privileged 

records to gain advantage in preparing for any future litigation and therefore deny the allegations 

of paragraph 47. 

 

6

 Plaintiff sent Oregon a tort claims notice on or about September 2, 2014, informing it that she 

intended to sue for damages. As explained by the Oregon Supreme Court, "The purpose of the 

requirement of the Oregon Tort Claims Act that any person who claims damages from a public 

body under the Oregon Tort Claims Act 'shall cause to be presented to the public body within 

180 days after the alleged loss or injury a written notice stating the time, place and circumstances 

thereof, and the amount of compensation or other relief demanded' is to give the public body 

timely notice of the tort and allow its officers an opportunity to investigate the matters promptly 

and ascertain all the necessary facts." Urban Renewal Agency of City of Coos Bay v. Lackey, 

549 P 2d 657, 660 (Or 1976). 

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RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF 

Violation of Title IX, 20 USC § 1681(a) (Against Defendant Oregon) 

Deliberate Indifference to Prior Sexual Violation 

Oregon incorporates its prior responses. 

48. Answering paragraph 48, Oregon denies the allegation that it "had actual 

knowledge of [the Student's] prior sexual harassment/rape of a female student at Providence 

from its recruiting investigation" and denies the remaining allegations of paragraph 48. 

49. Answering paragraph 49, Oregon denies the allegation that it "had actual 

knowledge of the substantial risk that [the Student] would sexually harass other female students 

at [Oregon] based on his prior conduct" and denies the remaining allegations of paragraph 49. 

50. Oregon denies the allegations of paragraph 50 because they are premised 

on the false assumption that Oregon had actual knowledge of a "prior sexual harassment/rape of 

a female student at Providence." 

51. Answering paragraph 51, Oregon denies that it failed "to address the risk 

posed by Austin in light of prior allegations of sexual misconduct," denies that it acted 

unreasonably in light of the known circumstances, and denies the remaining allegations of 

paragraph 51. 

52. Answering paragraph 52, Oregon denies that it was deliberately indifferent 

to any substantial risk that the Student would sexually harass other female students at Oregon 

and denies the remaining allegations of paragraph 52. 

53. Answering paragraph 53, Oregon denies that "as a result of [Oregon's] 

deliberate indifference, [p]laintiff was subjected to extreme sexual harassment in the form of 

rape by [the Student] and his accomplices." 

54. Answering paragraph 54, Oregon denies that "the sexual harassment that 

[p]laintiff suffered was so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it deprived her of 

access to educational opportunities and benefits by creating a permanent and extreme hostile 

educational environment." 

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55. Answering paragraph 55, Oregon does not want any student to suffer, 

including plaintiff, and Oregon continues to support plaintiff. But Oregon denies that it violated 

Title IX in any regard, and therefore denies that "plaintiff has suffered damages and injuries as a 

result of [Oregon's] violations of Title IX" as alleged in the complaint. 

RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF 

Violation of Title IX, 20 USC § 1681(a) (Against Defendant Oregon) 

Deliberate Indifference to Plaintiff's Report of Rape 

Oregon incorporates its prior responses. 

56. Answering paragraph 56, Oregon admits that on March 9, 2014, Oregon 

learned of an off-campus alleged sexual assault of plaintiff. Oregon denies the remaining 

allegations of paragraph 56. 

57. Answering paragraph 57, Oregon denies that as early as December 2013 

or January 2014, it was on notice of other allegations of sexual assault and sexual misconduct by 

the Student. 

58. Answering paragraph 58, Oregon denies that it was deliberately indifferent 

to reports of alleged rape and sexual misconduct and denies the remaining allegations of 

paragraph 58. 

59. Answering paragraph 59, Oregon states that no disciplinary measures were 

implemented while, as plaintiff asked, Oregon allowed EPD to investigate and before the 

student-conduct process was completed. Oregon denies the remaining allegations of paragraph 

59. 

60. Answering paragraph 60, Oregon denies that it made special arrangements 

for the three students and delayed finalizing disciplinary proceedings in order to protect the 

basketball program's academic progress rate. 

61. Answering paragraph 61, Oregon denies the allegation that it failed to 

timely investigate or complete disciplinary proceedings or that it did so in order to protect the 

basketball program; denies that it subjected plaintiff to a hostile educational environment; denies 

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that plaintiff was effectively barred access to educational opportunities and benefits; and denies 

the remaining allegations of paragraph 61. 

62. Answering paragraph 62, Oregon denies that it violated Title IX and 

denies that it caused plaintiff to suffer any damages or injuries. 

RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S THIRD CLAIM FOR RELIEF 

Negligence (Against Defendant Oregon) 

Oregon incorporates its prior responses.

63. Oregon denies the allegations of paragraph 63. 

64. Answering paragraph 64, Oregon denies that it "either knew or, in the 

exercise of reasonable care, should have known, that [the Student] had a history of sexual assault 

against a female student at another institution." 

65. Answering paragraph 65, Oregon denies that it breached any duty by 

recruiting the Student to Oregon and denies that Oregon was aware of any basis to require 

counseling, supervision, or monitoring of his behaviors. Oregon denies the remaining 

allegations of paragraph 65. 

66. Answering paragraph 66, Oregon denies that it was foreseeable that the 

Student's presence on campus would expose female students such as plaintiff to sexual assault 

and denies the remaining allegations of paragraph 66. 

67. Answering paragraph 67, Oregon denies that Oregon's actions were a 

substantial factor in causing damage or injury to plaintiff. 

RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S FOURTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF 

Deprivation of Due Process—Liberty—Under 42 USC § 1983 

(Against Defendant Altman) 

Defendants incorporate their prior responses.

68. Answering paragraph 68, defendants admit that plaintiff has a 

constitutionally protected liberty interest in her own bodily security. 

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69. Answering paragraph 69, defendants admit that defendant Altman acted 

under color of state law and that at all times he acted within the course and scope of his 

employment. Defendants deny the implication of paragraph 69 that defendant Altman engaged 

in wrongdoing and deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 69. 

70. Answering paragraph 70, defendants deny that Altman had actual 

knowledge of any prior sexual harassment or assault of women at Providence by the Student. 

Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 70. 

71. Answering paragraph 71, defendants deny that Altman had actual 

knowledge of any substantial risk that the Student would sexually harass female students at 

Oregon. 

72. Answering paragraph 72, defendants deny that Altman recruited the 

Student to Oregon with deliberate indifference to a known and obvious danger or with no regard 

for the protection of female students in the Oregon community. Defendants deny the remaining 

allegations of paragraph 72. 

73. Answering paragraph 73, defendants deny that Altman acted with 

deliberate indifference to a known and obvious danger and deny the remaining allegations of 

paragraph 73. 

74. Answering paragraph 74, defendants deny that Altman's actions deprived 

plaintiff of her constitutional right to bodily security and deny the remaining allegations of 

paragraph 74. 

RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S FIFTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF 

Violation of Equal Protection, U.S. Constitution 

Fourteenth Amendment, Under 42 USC § 1983 

(Against Defendant Altman) 

Defendants incorporate their prior responses.

75. Answering paragraph 75, defendants admit that defendant Altman acted 

under color of state law and that at all times he acted within the course and scope of his 

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employment. Defendants deny the implication of paragraph 75 that defendant Altman engaged 

in wrongdoing and deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 75. 

76. Answering paragraph 76, defendants deny that Altman subjected plaintiff 

to severe sexual harassment including rape or a hostile educational environment on the basis of 

sex and deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 76. 

77. Answering paragraph 77, defendants deny the implication that Altman 

engaged in sex-based discrimination and deny the remaining allegations in paragraph 77. 

78. Answering paragraph 78, defendants deny that Altman deprived plaintiff 

of any rights and deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 78. 

79. Answering paragraph 79, defendants deny that Altman caused damages to 

plaintiff and deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 79. 

RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S SIXTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF 

Intrusion Upon Seclusion 

(Against Defendant Oregon) 

Defendants incorporate their prior responses. 

80. Answering paragraph 80, defendants deny the allegation that they 

accessed plaintiff's confidential counseling records without her authorization or contrary to law. 

As stated above, there are multiple legal bases which allow Oregon to collect and review 

plaintiff's counseling records under the circumstances present here. Defendants deny the 

remaining allegations of paragraph 80. 

81. Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 81. 

82. Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 82. 

OTHER DEFENSES AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES

FIRST DEFENSE 

(Failure to State a Claim) 

83. Plaintiff's complaint fails to state claims upon which relief can be granted.

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SECOND DEFENSE 

(Lack of Subject-Matter Jurisdiction) 

84. Under Fed R Civ P 17(a)(1), "[a]n action must be prosecuted in the name 

of the real party in interest." Because plaintiff has not identified herself by her real name in the 

court record (either under seal or otherwise), and therefore plaintiff is not the real party in 

interest, the court has no subject-matter jurisdiction over this case unless and until plaintiff takes 

required steps to proceed under a pseudonym. 

THIRD DEFENSE 

(Prompt and Effective Action) 

85. Without waiving any defenses, Oregon cannot be found to have violated 

Title IX because it had policies designed to prevent and correct harassment and, upon notice of 

the alleged sexual assault in plaintiff's complaint, Oregon took prompt and effective action to 

respond to plaintiff's report. 

FOURTH DEFENSE 

(Not an Education Program or Activity)

86. Oregon cannot be found liable under Title IX for the assault alleged in 

plaintiff's complaint because it occurred off campus and under circumstances over which Oregon 

does not exercise substantial control. 

FIFTH DEFENSE 

(Intervening Acts of Third Parties) 

87. If plaintiff sustained injuries and incurred any expenses as claimed, they 

were caused in whole or in part by the acts or omissions of others for whose intervening conduct 

or negligence Oregon is not responsible. 

SIXTH DEFENSE 

(Foreseeability) 

88. Injury to plaintiff was not foreseeable as a matter of law. 

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SEVENTH DEFENSE 

(Superseding Cause) 

89. Any injury to plaintiff was caused by the act of third persons, which by 

their intervention prevents Oregon from being liable for harm to plaintiff. 

EIGHTH DEFENSE 

(No Causal Link)

90. Oregon did not cause harm to plaintiff. 

NINTH DEFENSE 

(No Special Relationship/No Duty) 

91. Oregon had no special relationship under the law with plaintiff. Oregon 

has no duty under common law negligence theories to plaintiff. 

TENTH DEFENSE 

(Discretionary Immunity) 

92. Oregon is entitled to discretionary immunity regarding its recruiting of 

students and admissions process. 

ELEVENTH DEFENSE 

(Sole Fault of a Non-Party) 

93. Without waiving any defenses, any harm to plaintiff was caused by the 

conduct of a third party or parties, namely the three men she accuses of sexual assault in her 

complaint, by their negligent or intentional conduct related to obtaining consent. 

TWELFTH DEFENSE 

(Qualified Immunity—Altman) 

94. Altman is entitled to qualified immunity against plaintiff's claims. 

THIRTEENTH DEFENSE 

(No Affirmative Conduct)

95. Altman did not engage in any affirmative conduct to place plaintiff in 

danger. 

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FOURTEENTH DEFENSE 

(No Unreasonable Risk)

96. There was no unreasonable risk, and Altman did not intend to expose 

plaintiff to an unreasonable risk. 

FIFTEENTH DEFENSE 

(Eleventh Amendment Immunity—Oregon)

97. Oregon is entitled to Eleventh Amendment immunity against plaintiff's 

claim. 

SIXTEENTH DEFENSE 

98. Without waiving any defenses, plaintiff declined to utilize all support and 

resources made available to her as described in part in paragraph 31, as was her right and her 

choice. To the extent utilizing such support and resources would have reduced any damages 

plaintiff now seeks in this lawsuit, defendants are not liable for such damages. 

SEVENTEENTH DEFENSE 

(Tort-Claims Cap)

99. Without waiving any defenses or denials, if plaintiff were able to pursue a 

tort claim against Oregon, the statutory limitations of the Oregon Tort Claims Act would apply. 

EIGHTEENTH DEFENSE 

(Failure to Join Parties Under Fed R Civ P 19) 

100. Plaintiff has failed to join a party or parties necessary for the just 

adjudication of her claim under the requirements of Rule 19 of the Federal Rules of Civil 

Procedure, including but not limited to the three men she accuses of sexual assault, because 

complete relief cannot be accorded among those already parties and the three men have an 

interest in this action and are so situated that disposing of the action in their absence may impair 

or impede their ability to protect that interest and/or will subject Oregon to a substantial risk of 

incurring double, multiple, or otherwise inconsistent obligations because of that interest. 

Defendants therefore reserve all rights under Rule 19, including without limitation to move to 

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join necessary parties or to move to dismiss the complaint for failure to join indispensable 

parties. 

NINETEENTH DEFENSE 

(Unclean Hands/Estoppel) 

101. Plaintiff's attorney represented plaintiff throughout Oregon's investigation 

of her allegations and conduct proceeding, and consented to the process about which he now 

complains. Plaintiff is therefore estopped or barred under the doctrine of unclean hands from 

complaining about the process. 

COUNTERCLAIM7

(Attorney Fees; 42 USC § 1988(b) and The Court's Inherent Power) 

102. The Supreme Court has established a high hurdle for prevailing defendants 

to clear before being awarded attorney fees under 42 USC § 1988, but that hurdle is not 

insurmountable. When a plaintiff and her attorney file a lawsuit with claims that are without 

foundation and lacking any objectively reasonable basis, defendants are entitled to recover 

attorney fees from the plaintiff. And, under the court's inherent power, the court may find that 

the plaintiff's counsel's actions warrant allowing the defendant to recover those fees from 

plaintiff's counsel in the alternative. This is such a case. 

103. Specifically, at least the following allegations in plaintiff's complaint are 

frivolous, unreasonable, and lacking any objectively reasonable foundation (see Complaint ¶¶ 

24, 25, 28, 34, 43, 48, 49, 50, 51, 57, 64, 70, 71, 72, 73): 

 The allegation that Altman or Oregon knew that the Student was accused 

of rape at Providence. 

 

7

 Oregon files this answer instead of moving to dismiss because of the standard under Fed R Civ 

P 12(b)(6). Here, the reason the complaint is frivolous is because the allegations are 

demonstrably not true and plaintiff's counsel is either aware that they are not true or has 

recklessly asserted them. Therefore, Oregon files this answer and will seek alternative recourse 

for the frivolous nature of plaintiff's counsel's claims including seeking its attorney fees from 

plaintiff's counsel. 

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 The allegation that Altman or Oregon discussed an allegation of gang rape 

or sexual misconduct made against the Student while a student at 

Providence or were otherwise aware that the Student was suspended from 

Providence for alleged sexual misconduct. 

 The allegation that Altman or Oregon "knowingly brought a reported sex 

offender to the [Oregon's] campus in Eugene." 

 The allegation that the Student's mother, "when asked about what the 

[Oregon] coaches knew, said, 'we told them everything. They knew 

everything'" wrongly implying that she told Oregon employees about an 

alleged sexual assault. See Exhibit A (Declaration of Tammy Austin). 

 The allegation that Oregon "delayed taking any action" regarding 

plaintiff's allegation of sexual assault in March 2014 "for over two 

months." 

 The allegation that Oregon delayed finalizing the disciplinary proceeding 

to allow the three players to complete the academic quarter in good 

standing, all in an effort to avoid impacting the Academic Progress Rate. 

104. Plaintiff's attorneys filed a lawsuit with unfounded allegations in an 

attempt to damage a good man's reputation,8

 curry favor and gain traction in the media, and 

coerce a public university to pay a hefty sum to plaintiff even though it has done nothing wrong. 

While filing lawsuits that are unsupported by the facts and presenting the media with allegations 

as though they were true has become an all-too-common strategy, Oregon will not bow to such 

pressure. Oregon will defend itself and trust that the justice system and the facts will prevail. In 

this case plaintiff's counsel's actions threaten to harm not only Oregon and Altman but also all 

 

8 See, e.g., John Canzano, Every Day Oregon Stands With Dana Altman Is Another Step Into the 

Muck, Oregonian, Jan. 8, 2015 (accepting as true the false allegations in the complaint that 

Altman knew about prior allegations of rape against Austin and calling for his termination). 

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sexual assault survivors in Oregon's campus community. Here, the publication of false 

allegations about Oregon's handling of a report of an alleged sexual assault creates a very real 

risk that survivors will wrongly be discouraged from reporting sexual assaults and sexual 

harassment to Oregon, in direct contravention of the goals of both Title IX and Oregon. 

Conveying the facts about how Oregon properly handled plaintiff's case is necessary to 

demonstrate the high priority Oregon gives to honoring the rights guaranteed by Title IX. 

105. Plaintiff's claims are frivolous, unreasonable, and without foundation. 

106. Oregon has incurred and will continue to incur reasonable attorney fees to 

defend this matter. Oregon is entitled to recover its reasonable attorney fees from plaintiff, or in 

the alternative, from plaintiff's counsel.9

WHEREFORE, having fully answered plaintiff's complaint, defendants pray as 

follows: 

1. That the court dismiss plaintiff's complaint; 

2. That the court enter judgment in favor of defendants; 

 

9 Margolis v. Ryan, 140 F3d 850, 854-55 (9th Cir 1998) (finding that the district court did not 

abuse its discretion in awarding defendants their attorney fees because appellants/plaintiffs' 

Section 1983 claim was based on nothing more than "wild speculation" and because, if plaintiffs 

had "made a reasonable inquiry into the applicable facts and law," they would have discovered 

the insufficiency of their civil-rights claim). Similarly, here, plaintiff's claims are groundless. 

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3. That defendants recover their attorney fees, costs, and disbursements 

incurred herein; and 

4. That defendants be granted such other and further relief as the court deems 

just and equitable. 

DATED this 9th day of February, 2015.

MILLER NASH GRAHAM & DUNN LLP 

/s/Michelle Barton Smigel 

Michelle Barton Smigel, P.C. 

OSB No. 045530 

michelle.smigel@millernash.com 

Michael Porter, P.C. 

OSB No. 003560 

mike.porter@millernash.com 

Phone: (503) 224-5858 

Fax: (503) 224-0155 

Attorneys for Defendants University of Oregon 

and Dana Dean Altman 

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I hereby certify that I served the foregoing defendants' answer, affirmative 

defenses, and counterclaim on: 

Ms. Jennifer J. Middleton 

Johnson, Johnson & Schaller, PC 

975 Oak Street, Suite 1050 

Eugene, Oregon 97401-3124 

Fax: (541) 484-0882 

E-mail: jmiddleton@justicelawyers.com 

Attorney for Plaintiff Jane Doe 

Mr. John C. Clune 

Mr. Keith M. Edwards 

Hutchinson Black and Cook, LLC 

921 Walnut Street, Suite 200 

Boulder, Colorado 80302-5173 

Fax: (303) 442-5693 

E-mail: clune@hbcboulder.com 

 kedwards@hbcboulder.com 

Attorneys for Plaintiff Jane Doe

 CM/ECF system transmission. 

 E-mail. As required by Local Rule 5.2, any interrogatories, requests for 

production, or requests for admission were e-mailed in Word or WordPerfect 

format, not in PDF, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties. 

 Facsimile communication device.

 First-class mail, postage prepaid.

 Hand-delivery.

 Overnight courier, delivery prepaid.

DATED this 9th day of February, 2015. 

/s/Michelle Barton Smigel 

Michelle Barton Smigel, OSB No. 045530 

Of Attorneys for Defendants University of 

Oregon and Dana Dean Altman 

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