Officials with the federal Office for Civil Rights (OCR), a division of the U.S. Department of Education, will visit St. Cloud State University April 20-22.
While on campus, the OCR officials will meet with various groups and will also follow up on a complaint about St. Cloud State’s handling of a sexual assault allegation.
St. Cloud State is among more than 150 higher education institutions currently under review by the OCR.
The OCR will review the St. Cloud State investigation and determine whether or not the University handled the alleged sexual assault properly. It will also review university policies and procedures for responding to student allegations of sexual misconduct. The complaint to OCR stemmed from an alleged sexual assault last year, according to Judith Siminoe, special adviser to the president at St. Cloud State.
During their campus visit, OCR officials will interview those involved with handling the sexual assault allegation and meet with student focus groups.
While on campus, the OCR team will also hold open office times April 20 and 21 for individual students, faculty members and staff who would like to discuss the university’s handling of sexual assault allegations.
In preparation for the OCR site visit, St. Cloud State has provided documents requested by the OCR including university policies, procedures and training on discrimination, harassment and violence.
St. Cloud State University is cooperating fully with the review, Siminoe said. “We believe the university responded to the complaint appropriately. The institution has also been working steadily to review and improve our policies and procedures for handling these cases.” She added that St. Cloud State records show that “we have staff who are diligent about follow up with these cases and we takes these cases very seriously and pursue action against students who violate our policies.”
OCR visit schedule
Wednesday, April 20
1-2 p.m. – Undergraduate Students Focus Group, Atwood Ballroom, Breakout A
1-2 p.m. – Office hours for private/confidential meetings, Atwood, Primrose
2:30-3:30 p.m. – Resident Assistants Focus Group, Atwood Ballroom, Breakout A
2:30-3:30 p.m. – Office hours for private/confidential meetings, Atwood, Primrose
4-5 p.m. – LGBTQ Students Focus Group, Atwood Ballroom, Breakout A
4-5 p.m. – Office hours for private/confidential meetings, Atwood, Primrose
6:30-7:30 p.m. – Student Athletes Focus Group, Atwood Ballroom, Breakout A
6:30-7:30 p.m. – Office hours for private/confidential meetings, Atwood, Primrose
8-9 p.m. – Student Sexual Assault Survivors Focus Group, Atwood Ballroom, Breakout A
8-9 p.m. – Office hours for private/confidential meetings, Atwood, Primrose
Thursday, April 21
9-11 a.m. – Possibly SCSU staff interviews for individual or broad allegation or file reviews.
Noon-1 p.m. – Student ROTC Focus Group, Atwood, Oak
1:30-2:30 p.m. – Graduate Students Focus Group, Atwood, Oak
3-4 p.m. – Sexual Assault Survivors Focus Group, Atwood, Oak
4:30-5:30 p.m. – International Students Focus Group, Atwood, Oak
4:30-5:30 p.m. – Office hours for private/confidential meetings, Atwood, Iris
7-8 p.m. – Undergraduate Students Focus Group, Atwood, Oak
7-8 p.m. – Office hours for private/confidential meetings, Atwood, Iris
