The Buffalo media has picked up the report that Canisius is one of 95 universities in the country being investigated by the federal Office of Civil Rights for its handling of sexual violence complaints. The college received notice of this investigation in December and referred it to its carrier. The college’s appearance on this list and being the subject of a Title IX investigation in no way indicates that the college is violating or has violated the law. Our public statement to the media is as follows:
The investigation arises out of a single incident that occurred out of the country involving two students and has already been fully investigated and adjudicated through the college’s disciplinary processes. A party to that proceeding initiated the complaint with the OCR after the college’s adjudication. Canisius has very stringent student conduct codes and processes for investigating and adjudicating all claims of student misconduct. The college’s processes have been developed in consultation with legal counsel and fully meet the requirements of federal and state law. The college is satisfied that it has followed its procedures in all cases, including the incident that is the subject of this investigation. Canisius is cooperating fully with OCR in the investigation. As the details of this investigation are confidential and as this arises out of student conduct and involves legal issues, the college will have no further comment on this matter.
Submitted by: Terri L. Mangione, PhD, vice president for student affairs and dean of students
