Filed Date: Dec. 18, 2014
Case Ongoing
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On December 18, 2014, a student at Minot State University filed a complaint with the US Department of Education, Chicago Office for Civil Rights (OCR). She alleged that school officials failed to respond promptly and equitably to her report of sexual assault by a faculty member in violation of Title IX. On February 26, 2014, OCR announced that it would open an investigation.
On July 7, 2016, OCR concluded the investigation and identified a number of substantial compliance issues. First, the University had no designated Title IX Coordinator whatsoever. Second, the school’s policies and procedures and its notice of nondiscrimination violated Title IX. For instance, the University had a number of contradictory procedures to address sexual misconduct, some of which failed to mention Title IX. Third, the University failed to respond adequately to the complainant’s report of sexual assault. For instance, the University did not respond to the complainant’s emailed allegations until she followed up several weeks later and then never offered her interim measures.
In order to resolve these alleged violations, Minot State University and OCR entered into a resolution agreement where the university agreed to make a number of changes to its policies and practices. However, University officials noted that entering the agreement did not amount to an admission of any Title IX violation.The University agreed to the following changes:
OCR agreed to oversee compliance with the agreement through at least June 30, 2019.
Summary Authors
Hope Brinn (1/11/2019)
Rapport, Adele (Michigan)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:34 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: North Dakota
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Title IX, Sexual Violence Investigations/Resolutions
Key Dates
Filing Date: Dec. 18, 2014
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The complainant was a student attending Minot State University who alleged that she was sexually assaulted by her professor.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Minot State University (Minot, Ward), State
Defendant Type(s):
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.
Special Case Type(s):
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Content of Injunction:
Develop anti-discrimination policy
Implement complaint/dispute resolution process
Order Duration: 2016 - 2019
Issues
Discrimination Basis:
Affected Sex/Gender(s):