COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)–Ohio State University is dealing with another round of Title IX complaints.
Dr. James Beatty, chairman of the OSU Physics Department sent an email to physics faculty over the weekend informing them that “several Title IX complaints have been filed involving members of the department.”
Title IX is the federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any educational program that receives federal funding.
OSU entered into a consent agreement with the federal government in 2014 to conclude a four year civil rights investigation. The university agreed to strengthen policies and training on sexual harassment and sexual assault.
Title IX requirements were cited repeatedly in the OSU investigative report that led to the dismissal of marching band director Jon Waters and the conclusion that the band suffered from a sexualized culture.
Beatty’s email states:
“As those of you who attended recent Title IX training know, we are required to report allegations of possible violations to one of a few places on campus. A report to one’s supervisor does not suffice. Since failure to report is a serious matter, reports are to be made without investigating the allegations on our own, since we are not qualified to do so. Please remember that allegations are just that, and do not necessarily indicate a violation has occurred.”
Late Monday afternoon, OSU spokesman Chris Davey issued the following statement: “None of the complaints referenced in Dr. Beatty’s email involves allegations of sexual assault or sexual misconduct, and there are no such complaints pending involving our Department of Physics. The Ohio State University is committed to building and maintaining a diverse community, providing equal opportunity, and eliminating discrimination. Ohio State has no tolerance for sexual harassment or discrimination of any kind and takes allegations of Title IX violations very seriously.”
Title IX covers covers sports, non sports university activities and all educational activities. Violations can include sexual harassment, hostile environments, unequal opportunities in athletics and disqualification or discrimination based on pregnancy among many others.