Case: Department of Education OCR Title IX Investigation of Pitzer College

09-12-2151 | No Court

Filed Date: March 19, 2012

Closed Date: 2014

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Case Summary

On March 19, 2012, the United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) received a complaint alleging that the defendant had violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Specifically, the complaint alleged that Pitzer College failed to adequately respond to an internal complaint that a male student had sexually assaulted the complainant. The complaint also alleged that the college did not adequately respond when the student complained of retaliation by other studen…

On March 19, 2012, the United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) received a complaint alleging that the defendant had violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Specifically, the complaint alleged that Pitzer College failed to adequately respond to an internal complaint that a male student had sexually assaulted the complainant. The complaint also alleged that the college did not adequately respond when the student complained of retaliation by other students who ostracized her after she filed her initial complaint of sexual assault. After determining that it had jurisdiction and the complaint was timely filed, OCR opened the allegations for investigation on March 29, 2012.

The college communicated its desire to resolve the complaint to OCR on September 28, 2012, and entered into a voluntary resolution agreement on March 28, 2013, prior to the conclusion of OCR's investigation. The college agreed to revise its sexual harassment policy and procedures, including adding to the section about retaliation. The college also agreed to revise its Code of Student Conduct Procedures, and provide annual training to relevant staff, including residence hall advisors. The agreement provided for ongoing monitoring by OCR until it determined the college to be in full compliance with Title IX.

On February 4, 2014, OCR determined Pitzer College fulfilled the terms of the agreement and ended its monitoring.

Summary Authors

Elizabeth Heise (3/10/2019)

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Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 3:30 p.m.

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Case Details

State / Territory: California

Case Type(s):

Education

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 19, 2012

Closing Date: 2014

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

a former student at Pitzer College who had filed internal complaints of sexual assault and retaliation

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: Unknown

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Pitzer College (Claremont, Los Angeles), Private Entity/Person

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:

None of the above

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Private Settlement Agreement

Order Duration: 2012 - 2014

Content of Injunction:

Develop anti-discrimination policy

Monitoring

Training

Issues

General:

Assault/abuse by residents/inmates/students

Discrimination-basis:

Sex discrimination

Affected Sex or Gender:

Female