According to the federal Title IX guidelines, colleges and universities that receive distributions of federal aid must strive to maintain equality among all students regardless of their gender. Colleges generally name a Title IX coordinator who is responsible for compliance with federal guidelines. When a complaint is received regarding a potential violation, such as an allegation of sexual misconduct, the staff will begin an investigative process. After review, the parties are all convened for a hearing where a ruling is made. Those who have had sanctions imposed against them may consider filing a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). The Lento Law Firm assists students facing campus discipline with filing an OCR complaint to request an independent review of the allegations.
University Of Minnesota Changes Gender Requirements Following Title IX Complaint (2018)
Mark Perry, who graduated from the University of Minnesota, had filed a complaint against the school citing a violation of Title IX. Perry, who is now a professor at the University of Michigan, felt several of their current scholarships discriminated against potential male candidates. He viewed the awards as being biased because they were “women-only”. The school has since made some revisions to the requirements for eligibility. The Carol E. Macpherson Memorial Scholarship was designed for women at least 28-years-old who were returning to college. The other revised award was the Dr. Nancy “Rusty” Barceló Scholarship that was directed towards minority women including those who recently immigrated to the country.
Title IX Violations in Minnesota
The Title IX rules are detailed in the Federal Code of Regulations. The laws were initially implemented in 1972. The U.S. Department of Education makes efforts to maintain equality through a host of civil rights measures that include some of the following:
- Title VI: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 regarding discrimination based on race, color, and origin
- Section 504: The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 regarding discrimination based on disabilities
- Title II: The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
- The Age Discrimination Act of 1975
School Investigation & Appeals Process
Institutions of higher learning such as colleges are required to adopt a process that formally investigates and reaches a decision on complaints such as sexual harassment and assault. They have the ability to then impose sanctions on violators. Those accused that are unsuccessful in defending the allegations may exercise their right to an appeal according to the school's policy for grievances.
OCR Complaint Considerations
Following an unsuccessful appeal, the student may consider consulting with an attorney that has a background in these matters. It is critical that you pursue the OCR in a timely manner because the agency does have established time limitations for bringing a claim. Your attorney will assist you in drafting a complaint that is effective and persuasive.
Attorney for Student Discipline Defense in Minnesota
Students who are facing allegations relating to Title IX often find that the school's investigation, hearing and appeals process was completed in a hurried and haphazard manner. Those facing harsh sanctions including suspension or expulsion may consider legal assistance. Attorney Joseph D. Lento has spent years defending students in campus disciplinary actions and encourages you to contact the office today at (888) 535-3686 to discuss your options.
- American International College
- Amherst College
- Anna Maria College
- Assumption College
- Babson College
- Bard College at Simon's Rock
- Bay Path College
- Bay State College
- Becker College
- Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
- Bentley University
- Berklee College of Music
- Berkshire Community College
- Boston Architectural College
- Boston Baptist College
- Boston College
- Boston University
- Brandeis University
- Bridgewater State University
- Bristol Community College
- Bunker Hill Community College
- Cambridge College
- Cape Cod Community College
- Clark University
- College of Our Lady of the Elms
- College of the Holy Cross
- Curry College
- Dean College
- Eastern Nazarene College
- Emerson College
- Emmanuel College
- Endicott College
- Fisher College
- Fitchburg State University
- Framingham State University
- Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering
- Gordon College
- Greenfield Community College
- Hampshire College
- Harvard University
- Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
- Holyoke Community College
- ITT Technical Institute Norwood
- ITT Technical Institute Wilmington
- Laboure College
- Lasell College
- Lawrence Memorial Hospital School of Nursing
- Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts
- Lesley University
- Longy School of Music
- Marian Court College
- Massachusetts Bay Community College
- Massachusetts College of Art and Design
- Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Massachusetts Maritime Academy
- Massasoit Community College
- Merrimack College
- Middlesex Community College
- Montserrat College of Art
- Mount Holyoke College
- Mount Ida College
- Mount Wachusett Community College
- New England College of Business
- Newbury College Brookline
- Nichols College
- North Shore Community College
- Northeastern University
- Northern Essex Community College
- Pine Manor College
- Quincy College
- Quinsigamond Community College
- Regis College
- Roxbury Community College
- Saint John's Seminary
- Salem State University
- Sanford Brown College Boston
- School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston
- Simmons College
- Smith College
- Springfield College
- Springfield Technical Community College
- Stonehill College
- Suffolk University
- The Boston Conservatory
- The New England Conservatory of Music
- The New England Institute of Art
- Tufts University
- University of Massachusetts - Amherst
- University of Massachusetts - Boston
- University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth
- University of Massachusetts - Lowell
- University of Phoenix - Boston Campus
- Urban College of Boston
- Wellesley College
- Wentworth Institute of Technology
- Western New England University
- Westfield State University
- Wheaton College
- Wheelock College
- Williams College
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Worcester State University
- Zion Bible College
Students and parents at times do not realize until after a finding of responsibility and the imposition of adverse sanctions that sexual misconduct allegations at college can result in severe consequences academically and professionally and in the short and long-term. The earlier the necessary steps are taken to address a Title IX case, the better, because these are cases that can be won at the school-level. There are times, however, that the help of the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights (DOE-OCR) is needed and Joseph D. Lento has a decade of experience passionately fighting for the futures of his clients at colleges and universities throughout the nation and has helped many clients seek recourse with the DOE-OCR. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. Joseph Lento is a licensed attorney in New Jersey and New York, who helps students in Minnesota with DOE-OCR Title IX complaints, is admitted as an attorney pro hac vice in state and federal court if needed when representing clients nationwide, and serves as a Title IX advisor to students facing disciplinary cases in Minnesota and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact National Title IX attorney Joseph D. Lento today.
