The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights this month launched an investigation into allegations that Montana State University failed to respond appropriately to reports of sex- and race-based discrimination during the 2022-23 school year.
The investigation, first reported on Tuesday by the Daily Montanan, was announced in a letter dated Oct. 5 to MSU President Waded Cruzado from OCR investigator Steven Riley. In the letter, Riley stated that the federal office had received more than 20 complaints against the university related to reports of discrimination made by members of the campus’ Queer Straight Alliance, a student-led organization that supports MSU’s LGBTQ community. Riley wrote that his office will investigate whether MSU itself discriminated against the students or faculty members on the basis of sex or of race, color or national origin in its handling of those cases.
“During the OCR investigation, the allegations may be resolved in a variety of ways, including a voluntary written agreement in which the university agrees to take remedial actions that OCR determines fully resolve the allegation consistent with applicable legal standards,” Riley wrote. “Where appropriate, the allegation may also be resolved through mediation facilitated by OCR.”
Riley added that since MSU receives federal funds from the Department of Education, it is required to comply with federal civil rights laws prohibiting sex- and race-based discrimination. When contacted, Riley referred Montana Free Press to the department’s press office in Washington, D.C. That office did not immediately respond to an email requesting additional information.
In an email response to questions Wednesday, MSU Vice President of Communications Tracy Ellig said the university will “cooperate with the OCR and will continue to build on its work to provide a positive and safe learning environment.” He added that MSU would submit an…
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