The following message is from the Office of the President:
To the campus community:
The University of Mary Washington was recently notified that the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has opened an investigation of the complaint filed against the University on May 7, 2015, alleging discrimination on the basis of sex and retaliation. The OCR has jurisdiction to enforce Title IX, federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity receiving federal funds. The University intends to cooperate fully with the OCR in its investigation of the complaint.
Sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment and sexual assault, is a serious problem confronted by college students across the nation, including here at the University of Mary Washington. Last December, I appointed a President’s Task Force on Sexual Assault to proactively consider issues of campus sexual assault and sexual misconduct and make recommendations to ensure that UMW is appropriately addressing these matters. In September, I received a set of draft recommendations from the task force, many of which have been implemented, including the hiring of a full-time sexual assault prevention specialist and mandatory campus-wide sexual assault prevention training.
We will provide updates as necessary. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me or Dr. Leah Cox, Special Assistant to the President for Diversity and Inclusion and UMW’s Title IX Coordinator.
Richard V. Hurley
President
