Wagner College Reaches Resolution Agreement with U.S. Department of Education Over Title IX Concerns

Wagner College has entered into a resolution agreement with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to address and resolve longstanding concerns regarding the college's handling of Title IX obligations. This move follows a comprehensive investigation that revealed failures in how the college responded to reports of sexual harassment and sexual violence.

The Department of Education announced Friday that its investigation found "serious concerns" with Wagner College's response mechanisms under Title IX, the federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs receiving federal funding. According to the OCR, the college failed to appropriately address reports of sexual assault and harassment, undermining protections afforded to students and staff.

Findings from the Investigation

The OCR began its investigation in response to complaints that Wagner College did not adequately respond to reports of sexual misconduct on campus. It found that the college:

• Did not take effective actions to investigate or respond to reports of sexual violence.
• Failed to consistently implement Title IX grievance procedures.
• Lacked proper coordination and documentation regarding Title IX cases.

These failures not only placed students at risk but also violated federal requirements that mandate equal access to education free from discrimination.

Resolution Terms and Reforms

Under the resolution agreement, Wagner College has agreed to undertake several immediate and long-term corrective actions, including:

• Revamping Title IX procedures: The college must revise its Title IX policies to comply with federal standards.
• Training and awareness: Wagner will provide comprehensive training to staff, faculty, and students on Title IX rights and responsibilities.
• Improved grievance procedures: New complaint resolution protocols will be enforced to ensure timely and impartial investigations.
• Recordkeeping and oversight: Wagner must maintain detailed records of all Title IX-related reports and provide regular updates to OCR.

These reforms are aimed at fostering a safer and more responsive campus environment.

Monitoring and Accountability

The agreement includes robust oversight by the Office for Civil Rights to ensure that Wagner follows through on its commitments. The college is required to submit detailed reports on policy updates, training implementation, and complaint resolutions.

The Department emphasized that the agreement does not conclude with penalties but is focused on structural improvements to prevent future lapses. Wagner's cooperation with the OCR during the investigation and commitment to remedial actions were cited as reasons for reaching a voluntary agreement instead of imposing sanctions.

What This Means for Colleges Nationwide

Wagner College's case is part of a broader push by the Biden administration to enforce Title IX compliance across the nation. In recent years, the Department of Education has reopened investigations and announced stricter accountability measures for schools that fail to address sexual harassment and violence.

As institutions of higher education continue to confront issues of gender-based discrimination, Wagner's resolution agreement may serve as a cautionary tale and a blueprint for reform.

The full resolution agreement can be accessed on the Department of Education's website here.