In 2024, a former Cornell University student, Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit claiming she was drugged and raped by seven students at a fraternity house. Under Title IX, a federal law from 1972 designed to prevent sex-based discrimination in schools, universities must investigate such reports to ensure a safe campus environment. Although the campus police referred the case to the local district attorney, no criminal charges were filed. However, the report initiated a Title IX investigation at Cornell, resulting in expulsions, suspensions, and the closure of the fraternity involved. Title IX investigations, which can run alongside criminal investigations, aim to determine whether the accused should remain on campus, focusing on maintaining a safe educational environment. Title IX offers a lower burden of proof than criminal cases, providing an alternative path for justice. Recent changes to Title IX have altered its implementation, affecting how schools handle such cases.
QUESTION: How might changes to Title IX impact students’ sense of safety and justice on campus?
The federal law aimed at protecting college students from sexual abuse
