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The Civil Rights division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) opened an investigation in August 2015, after receiving a complaint about Wheaton College's handling of a report of sexual assault alleging violations of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The exact contents of the complaint and compliance review are not available. The investigation examined the college's handlings of reports of sexual assault and harassment in the 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 school years, and a portion of the 2015-16 school year.
Following the investigation, the DOJ determined that although the college had made substantial efforts to improve its policies and its responses to sexual misconduct, its responses to some reports of sexual assault and retaliation during the relevant time period fell short of the standards required by Title IX. Specifically, the individuals responsible for investigating and adjudicating reports of sexual misconduct did not fully understand their roles or responsibilities which contributed to at least one inequitable grievance process in a sexual assault case. The college also failed to provide and enforce interim measures designed to protect students and ensure their equal access to education. The investigation also determined at least one incident of the college's failure to respond to a complaint of retaliation. The college also fell short in its documentation and reporting methods.
The college entered a voluntary Resolution Agreement on September 21, 2016. The college agreed to draft revised policies and procedures related to sex discrimination to clarify prohibited conduct and reporting procedures, and to provide notice of its revised policies and procedures to all students and employees. The college was also required to revise its Title IX training and provide the revised training to relevant employees by December 31, 2016. As part of the Resolution Agreement, the college agreed to develop a system for tracking complaints of sex discrimination, and to provide the United States with all required documents and information.The agreement was to remain in force for at least three academic years, and the DOJ was to monitor the terms of the agreement until it determined the College had fulfilled the agreement's terms.
Summary Authors
Elizabeth Heise (11/25/2018)
Simons, Shaheena A (District of Columbia)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:27 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Massachusetts
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
United States Department of Justice
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown
Filed Pro Se: Unknown
Class Action Sought: Unknown
Class Action Outcome: Unknown
Defendants
Wheaton College (Norton, Bristol), Private Entity/Person
Defendant 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:
Order Duration: 2016 - 2019
Content of Injunction:
Develop anti-discrimination policy
Implement complaint/dispute resolution process
Issues
General:
Assault/abuse by residents/inmates/students
Discrimination-basis: