The Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., Nov. 24, 2014.
Steve Helber / AP
An investigation found that the University of Virginia previously had a "mixed record" in responding to reports of sexual violence on campus, but on Monday, authorities announced the school is now in compliance with federal standards.
The University of Virginia and the Department of Education reached an agreement that the school's policies for responding to and preventing sexual assault were in compliance with Title IX, according to an announcement Monday. UVA is the first school to meet the requirements of Title IX since federal regulators offered new guidance on universities' responsibilities last year.
In May 2014, the Department of Education released the names of 55 colleges under investigation for their handling of sexual abuse complaints. Under Title IX, all schools receiving federal funds must ensure students are not discriminated against on the basis of their sex, which includes sexual harassment.
UVA's record on sexual assault came under scrutiny in November with the publication of "A Rape on Campus" in Rolling Stone. The magazine retracted the article after police could find no evidence supporting a student's account of being gang raped in a fraternity house.
Still, federal investigators found that UVA failed to "promptly and equitably" respond in several cases of sexual violence between 2008 and 2012, including cases that involved fraternities. The university also failed to take steps to eliminate a hostile environment for victims.
At that time, the university's policies did not provide a fair process to students who said they were victims of sexual assault or for the accused, investigators found.
Since then, however, UVA has agreed to changes, many of which university officials said are already in place. Among the changes:
- To provide training to all students and staff on issues related to sexual violence, as well as university policies and procedures when a student reports an incident
- Develop a tracking system to review reports and investigations
- Review recent complaints to identify any problems.
- Clearly state to fraternities and sororities that sexual harassment, violence, and retaliation are prohibited, and violations could result in sanctions.
The university had already approved new safety standards for fraternity parties in January.
- In a statement, Catherine E. Lhamon, assistant secretary for civil rights at the Department of Education, praised UVA President Teresa Sullivan for her work on the issue.
"President Sullivan’s leadership in crafting an exemplary new policy to address sexual violence and sexual harassment and in confirming her continuing commitment to comprehensive work to assure a safe learning environment at UVA sets just the right tone for her students, for which I am deeply grateful,” Lhamson said.
SOURCE: BuzzFeed
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