Students File Title IX Suit Against Yale

The suit concerns sexual harassment claims.

In October 2010, members of the Yale chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon stood on the Old Campus and shouted "No means yes," and other derogatory remarks aimed at women.

Now, a group of 16 students who say that the university administration failed to properly address the situation filed a complaint with the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, claiming the school is in violation of the laws set forth by Title IX.

"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance," Title IX states.

While the suit sites this particular incident, it is not the first time the university has dealt with such accusations. Previous accounts of sexual harassment and misconduct have plagued the school, including a 2008 incident in which pledges of the Zeta Psi fraternity held up signs that read, "We Love Yale Sluts."

The university formed a grievance board for student complaints of sexual harassment, however, the students who filed the suit with the federal government said the school still fails to adequately address the problems brought before them.

In response to the suit, the Department of Education's OCR will open an investigation to review Yale's policies regarding sexual harassment and sexual assault. 

Yale responded to the complaint Friday.

"We will respond fully to the investigation, and cooperate with the Office of Civil Rights," Yale spokesperson Tom Conroy said.  "Yale takes extremely seriously all allegations of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct, including allegations of a 'hostile environment'."
 

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