Case: Department of Education OCR Title IX Investigation of Cedarville University

15-13-2163 | No Court

Filed Date: May 17, 2013

Closed Date: 2017

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On May 17, 2013, a student at Cedarville University filed a complaint with the US Department of Education, Cleveland Office for Civil Rights (OCR) alleging that the University failed to comply with Title IX. Specifically, the student asserted that the University lacked a Title IX coordinator and a prompt and equitable grievance procedure. On July 1, 2013, OCR announced that it would investigate the veracity of the allegations. Prior to completing its investigation, Cedarville University indicat…

On May 17, 2013, a student at Cedarville University filed a complaint with the US Department of Education, Cleveland Office for Civil Rights (OCR) alleging that the University failed to comply with Title IX. Specifically, the student asserted that the University lacked a Title IX coordinator and a prompt and equitable grievance procedure. On July 1, 2013, OCR announced that it would investigate the veracity of the allegations.

Prior to completing its investigation, Cedarville University indicated its interest in resolving the dispute through an Early Complaint Resolution (ECR) process. At that time, the evidence OCR gathered supported that the University had a Title IX procedure but did not disseminate it to students. Although the University had identified someone to resolve harassment complaints, it did not identify this person as the Title IX coordinator and did not publish their contact information.

On June 9, 2014, OCR agreed to the proposed resolution in which Cedarville University agreed to:

  • Notify students and employees of the University’s Title IX coordinators and their contact information;
  • Revise its policies and procedures related to sex discrimination to fully comply with Title IX;
  • Adopt, implement, and publicize the revised procedures;
  • Train staff and students on the revised policies and procedures;
  • Conduct periodic campus climate assessments to determine the effectiveness of the University’s Title IX policies and practices; and
  • Submit to ongoing monitoring to ensure the effective implementation of the Resolution Agreement.

OCR required the university to provide documentation regarding its compliance. This monitoring would last until at least June 2017, assuming the University demonstrated substantial compliance.

As of December 2018, there is no indication of any compliance issues. The case is presumed closed.

Summary Authors

Hope Brinn (12/2/2018)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

15-13-2163

[Notification letters and data request for Cedarville University]

July 1, 2013

July 1, 2013

Notice Letter

15-13-2163

[Cedarville University Letter of Findings]

June 9, 2014

June 9, 2014

Findings Letter/Report

15-13-2163

Cedarville University Resolution Agreement

June 9, 2014

June 9, 2014

Settlement Agreement

Resources

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:44 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Ohio

Case Type(s):

Education

Special Collection(s):

Title IX, Sexual Violence Investigations/Resolutions

Key Dates

Filing Date: May 17, 2013

Closing Date: 2017

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A student at Cedarville University

Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown

Filed Pro Se: Unknown

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Cedarville University (Cedarville, Greene), Non-profit or advocacy

Defendant Type(s):

College/University

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.

Special Case Type(s):

Out-of-court

Available Documents:

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Private Settlement Agreement

Amount Defendant Pays: 0

Order Duration: 2014 - 2017

Content of Injunction:

Discrimination Prohibition

Develop anti-discrimination policy

Implement complaint/dispute resolution process

Reporting

Monitoring

Training

Issues

Discrimination-basis:

Sex discrimination

Type of Facility:

Non-government non-profit