An investigation found that the University of Virginia previously had a "mixed record" in responding to reports of sexual violence on campus, but on Monday, authorities announced the school agreed to implement changes, already underway, that will better address the university's handling of sexual assault reports.
The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation into UVa's policies in June 2011, during which time, the school made several changes to bring it into compliance with the federal law.
Under the resolution agreement, UVA will continue to revise its Title IX policies, including developing and implementing a system for tracking and reviewing all reports and investigations of sexual harassment and sexual violence. The university will have to submit documents within the next year to prove its compliance with federal standards. The Department of Education will monitor the implementation of the agreement. Once all terms are satisfied – which could take months or even years – OCR will close the case and consider the university in compliance, a Department of Education spokesperson told BuzzFeed News.
In May 2014, the Department of Education released the names of 55 colleges under investigation for their handling of sexual abuse complaints. Under Title IX, all schools receiving federal funds must ensure students are not discriminated against on the basis of their sex, which includes sexual harassment.
UVA's record on sexual assault came under scrutiny in November with the publication of "A Rape on Campus" in Rolling Stone. The magazine retracted the article after police could find no evidence supporting a student's account of being gang raped in a fraternity house.
Still, federal investigators found that UVA failed to "promptly and equitably" respond in several cases of sexual violence between 2008 and 2012, including cases that involved fraternities. The university also failed to take steps to eliminate a hostile environment for victims.
At that time, the university's policies did not provide a fair process to students who said they were victims of sexual assault or for the accused, investigators found.
Since then, however, UVA has agreed to changes, many of which university officials said are already in place. Among the changes:
- To provide training to all students and staff on issues related to sexual violence, as well as university policies and procedures when a student reports an incident
- Develop a tracking system to review reports and investigations
- Review recent complaints to identify any problems.
- Clearly state to fraternities and sororities that sexual harassment, violence, and retaliation are prohibited, and violations could result in sanctions.
The university had already approved new safety standards for fraternity parties in January.
In a statement, Catherine E. Lhamon, assistant secretary for civil rights at the Department of Education, praised UVA President Teresa Sullivan for her work on the issue.
"President Sullivan’s leadership in crafting an exemplary new policy to address sexual violence and sexual harassment and in confirming her continuing commitment to comprehensive work to assure a safe learning environment at UVA sets just the right tone for her students, for which I am deeply grateful,” Lhamson said.
Clarification: A previous version of this article indicated that UVA is already in compliance with federal standards. According to the Department of Education, the university will be considered compliant once it properly implements all the terms of the agreement.