The filing of a federal complaint Wednesday highlights concerns about the University’s treatment of sexual assault cases. Whether these allegations are revealed to be true, this is a serious issue that needs to be thoroughly investigated.
Three UNC students, one former student and one former faculty member filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Wednesday, claiming administrators facilitated a hostile environment for students who reported sexual assault.
The ability of a University to provide a learning environment is diminished if that environment is not coupled with a fostering of inclusivity and safety as well.
Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, poorly investigated cases of sexual assault can deny victims their right to a proper education.
Even if it is revealed that the University did not directly violate Title IX, there are still students on this campus who have gathered the courage to step up and declare that they have had poor experiences with UNC’s channels for reporting sexual violence.
If the system is as broken as the complainants claim, it needs mending.
Although at this moment it is difficult to say whether this complaint will have actionable legal consequences, the University should comply wholly with any investigation or policy change that the Department of Education deems necessary.
Moreover, the University shouldn’t craft any new sexual assault policies simply to avoid legal ramifications.
Instead, it should do so to ensure that students can live in a safe and inclusive environment. The University owes all of its students that much.
