U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights to conduct an investigation at Western

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has informed Western Washington University that it will be conducting an investigation in connection with an alleged violation of the federal Title IX law regarding response to a report of sexual violence.  This investigation is automatically triggered because of the filing of a complaint by a WWU student.

“The university welcomes this investigation as it will provide us with an additional opportunity to review and to learn and at the same time to show Western’s commitment to providing a safe campus for all as we strive to serve as a model for higher education,”  said WWU spokesperson Paul Cocke.

“Western cares deeply about ensuring a safe environment for its students, faculty and staff and does not and will not tolerate sexual violence, or any form of violence or harassment,” Cocke said.

Due to this investigation, Western will be placed on a list that includes more than 100 colleges and universities undergoing similar (OCR) inquiries.  Inclusion on this list does not mean that Western has violated the law, but instead reflects the onset of an investigation.