Michigan State University has agreed to pay $2.8 million in fines for failing to comply with an agreement regarding its handling of sexual assault complaints. The university had signed a resolution agreement with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in 2019, following an investigation into the university’s handling of complaints of sexual misconduct.
The investigation found that Michigan State had failed to appropriately respond to reports of sexual assault and harassment, and had also failed to provide a safe and non-discriminatory environment for its students. As part of the resolution agreement, the university agreed to make a number of changes to its policies and procedures in order to come into compliance with Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education.
However, in a recent review of the university’s progress in implementing the changes required by the resolution agreement, the OCR found that Michigan State had not fully complied with all of the terms of the agreement. As a result, the university has agreed to pay the $2.8 million fine as a penalty for its non-compliance.
In a statement, Michigan State University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. expressed regret for the university’s failure to fully implement the changes required by the resolution agreement. He stated that the university takes its obligations under Title IX seriously, and that it is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all members of the university community.
The university has also pledged to work with the OCR to address the remaining areas of non-compliance and to ensure that it is fully compliant with Title IX in the future. In addition to paying the fine, Michigan State has agreed to provide regular updates to the OCR on its progress in implementing the required changes.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of institutions taking allegations of sexual assault and harassment seriously, and of the consequences that can result from failing to comply with federal regulations. Michigan State’s agreement to pay the fine and take further steps to address the issues identified by the OCR is a positive step towards creating a safer and more inclusive campus environment for all students.
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