Case: Department of Education OCR Title IX Investigation of Buffalo State College

02-15-2085 | No Court

Filed Date: 2015

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In February 2015, a student at the State University of New York -- Buffalo State College filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, New York Office for Civil Rights (OCR) alleging violations of Title IX. The student alleged that Buffalo State failed to respond promptly and equitably to her report of sexual assault, thereby subjecting her to a sexually hostile environment. Specifically, she asserted that the College failed to provide her with an explanation of its Title IX grievanc…

In February 2015, a student at the State University of New York -- Buffalo State College filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, New York Office for Civil Rights (OCR) alleging violations of Title IX. The student alleged that Buffalo State failed to respond promptly and equitably to her report of sexual assault, thereby subjecting her to a sexually hostile environment. Specifically, she asserted that the College failed to provide her with an explanation of its Title IX grievance procedures; failed to provide her with the interim remedial measures she requested; failed to conduct any investigation or otherwise respond to her report of sexual assault; and violated her confidentiality when an athletic coach disclosed her reported assault to her teammates and the alleged perpetrator’s coach. Because of the College’s alleged failures, the student withdrew from the institution.

On March 26, 2015, OCR announced that it was opening an investigation into Buffalo State. As a part of the investigation, OCR reviewed relevant institutional documents and interviewed College personnel. On November 2, 2017, OCR announced its findings that the College violated Title IX in several ways. Specifically, OCR found that the College had failed to respond promptly and equitably to complainant’s sexual assault allegations, failed to appropriately train staff, and failed to provide the complainant with a written copy of the Title IX grievance procedure. However, the OCR did not find sufficient evidence to support a finding that the College breached confidentiality.

To resolve the complaint, Buffalo State College and OCR entered into a resolution agreement in October 2017 whereby the College agreed to submit to ongoing monitoring by the OCR until the agency determined that there had been substantial compliance. As a part of this agreement, the College agreed to pay all of the complainant’s Spring 2015 college expenses, reimburse her for any counseling expenses, investigate the complainant’s sexual assault allegations, require the Title IX coordinator to undergo training by a paid consultant, retain a qualified individual to provide mandatory Title IX training to faculty and staff, and provide ongoing documentation to OCR demonstrating that the college responded to any new Title IX complaints promptly and equitably. The reporting requirement was set to extend through at least July 2019.

Upon completion of the obligations, the OCR will close and dismiss the case. As of November 2018, implementation of the agreement is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Hope Brinn (11/22/2018)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Blanchard, Timothy C.J. (New York)

Attorney for Plaintiff

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

02-15-2085

[Notification letter for SUNY Buffalo State College]

March 26, 2015

March 26, 2015

Notice Letter

02-15-2085

[Notification letters and data request for SUNY Buffalo State College]

March 26, 2015

March 26, 2015

Notice Letter

02-15-2014

[Notification letter and data request for SUNY Buffalo State College]

April 7, 2015

April 7, 2015

Notice Letter

02-15-2085

Resolution Agreement

Oct. 12, 2017

Oct. 12, 2017

Settlement Agreement

02-15-2085

Resolution Agreement

Oct. 12, 2017

Oct. 12, 2017

Settlement Agreement

02-15-2085

[Findings Letter for SUNY Buffalo State College]

Nov. 2, 2017

Nov. 2, 2017

Findings Letter/Report

Resources

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:32 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: New York

Case Type(s):

Education

Special Collection(s):

Title IX, Sexual Violence Investigations/Resolutions

Key Dates

Filing Date: 2015

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiff was an undergraduate student-athlete at State University of New York -- Buffalo State College who was the victim of sexual assault.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown

Filed Pro Se: Unknown

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

State University of New York -- Buffalo State College (Buffalo, Erie), State

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.

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Monetary Relief

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Damages

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Amount Defendant Pays: 5,000

Order Duration: 2017 - 2019

Content of Injunction:

Implement complaint/dispute resolution process

Reporting

Monitoring

Training

Issues

General:

Assault/abuse by residents/inmates/students

Confidentiality

Discrimination-basis:

Sex discrimination

Affected Sex or Gender:

Female

Type of Facility:

Government-run