Federal investigation knocks at MSU’s door

MSU is currently facing scrutiny from the Department of Education for multiple allegations concerning violations of federal civil rights laws. 

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Right’s (OCR) case processing manual, these investigations are focused on the university's adherence to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, highlighting issues such as retaliation, sexual harassment, sexual violence, racial harassment, denial of benefits, gender harassment, disability accessibility and discrimination involving religion.

The ongoing investigation into MSU by the Department of Education brought a critical examination of the university's commitment to upholding federal civil rights laws, as reported by Office of the Vice President for Student Success in an email the afternoon of Jan 30. The beginning of this examination was marked by a series of interviews carried out by OCR on Feb 6 and 7. The outcome of these interviews is not yet known. 

Jim Bradshaw of the Department of Education's Press Office, while stating that he is unable to comment on the current investigation, highlighted in his statement to the Exponent on Feb. 9 the specific nature of the investigations at MSU. 

These include nine pending cases under investigation related to “Title IX - Single Sex Scholarships,” "Title IX - Retaliation," "Title IX - Sexual Harassment," "Title IX - Sexual Violence," "Title VI - Racial Harassment," "Title IX - Denial of Benefits," "Title IX - Gender Harassment," "Disability - Accessibility," and "Title VI - National Origin Discrimination Involving Religion;"​​ these cases mark MSU Bozeman as having more pending cases than any other institution of higher education in Montana.

In response to these investigations, MSU Spokesperson Mike Becker detailed the university's efforts to cooperate with the Department of Education. Becker emphasized MSU’s commitment to create a supportive and inclusive environment for all community members, articulating steps taken by the university such as having “established offices, policies, training, services and education available to all students, faculty and staff. These include a dedicated Title IX office — the MSU Office of Institutional Equity,” to ensure compliance with Title IX regulations and to support affected students. 

Becker affirmed the continued priorities MSU has positioned in ensuring a safe and equitable environment for all students, faculty and staff, stating, "Over the years — in fact, spanning decades — the university has made substantive investments in establishing policies, procedures, offices and services for the benefit of our students. These investments have been made with students in mind and to serve all our students.”

“[The] OCR has not issued any findings indicating MSU's response to any incident was lacking,” Becker said.  He followed up by quoting the OCR’s webpage, “Opening a complaint for investigation in no way implies that OCR has made a determination with regard to the merits of the complaint.”

Should you or anyone you know experience a violation of civil rights at MSU, you can reach out to the Office of Institutional Equity by calling (406) 994-1568 or by emailing oie@montana.edu.