The College of Wooster is now being investigated regarding two alleged Title IX policy violations
Mackenzie Clark
News Editor
A second investigation has been opened against The College of Wooster following another alleged Title IX violation.
The first investigation was opened by the Department of Education (D.O.E) on Sept. 2, 2016, after a student complained the College did not handle a report of sexual assault according to Title IX policy. The second case was opened on Sept. 29, 2016, regarding a different policy violation.
As both investigations are ongoing, the D.O.E’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is unable to provide further information on either case. At the conclusion of each investigation, the OCR will release details regarding their findings to the complainants as well as to the College. If the OCR finds a sufficient amount of evidence to support the allegation of a Title IX violation, they will negotiate a resolution agreement with the College.
President Sarah Bolton has expressed that the College is working with the OCR during their investigations and that this process typically takes over a year.
“We share the OCR’s goal of making the campus community as safe and equitable a learning environment as we can, and we welcome advice from OCR on how we may move as quickly and effectively as possible toward that goal,” said Bolton.
Bolton also emphasized the College’s concerns regarding the allegations. “We are concerned that these students felt that the College did not respond as helpfully as it should have to harm that they experienced and reported,” said Bolton. “We are committed to providing strong support as well as a fair, accessible, respectful and trauma-informed investigation and adjudication process to any student who experiences harm at Wooster.”
The College is also still in the process of hiring a full time Title IX Coordinator. “We posted the Title IX Coordinator job in early September and have received a number of applications already,” said Bolton. “We are continuing to work through the professional networks of those who specialize in sexual violence prevention and response to ensure that we have as strong a pool as possible for this position before moving on to interviews.”
The search process will include a committee of students, staff and faculty. Students will also be highly involved in finalist interviews before a candidate is selected.