Drexel Reaches Voluntary Resolution Agreement on Title VI Investigation

Dear Members of the Drexel Community,

As I shared with you this past December, the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education (OCR) opened an investigation into Drexel’s response to reported harassment of students on the basis of national origin (shared Jewish ancestry) under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Drexel is one of more than 100 educational institutions currently subject to Title VI investigations by OCR.

I am pleased to report that Drexel University and OCR have resolved this investigation. As OCR announced today, Drexel has voluntarily agreed to continue its ongoing and proactive efforts both to prevent discrimination and harassment and to clarify and strengthen our policies and procedures for responding to all complaints of discrimination and harassment. That applies to antisemitic and anti-Muslim behavior, as well as to all unlawful discrimination and conduct on or off campus that creates a hostile environment for any member of our community based on race, color, or national origin.

In entering into the voluntary resolution agreement it is important to note that OCR did not issue any findings of non-compliance. In lieu of continuing a protracted OCR investigation, the University has agreed to undertake several specific actions that will improve our response to harassment and discrimination, including more robust training, improved record keeping, a climate survey, and policy revisions.

Today’s announcement by OCR includes a press release and letter, which was released publicly at the same time it was released to Drexel. We are gratified that OCR acknowledged the proactive and responsive measures we have taken to build an inclusive and diverse community and to address reported discriminatory conduct. Those efforts include: our institutional commitment to prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of national origin (and other protected characteristics); increasing police and security patrols; conducting residence life meetings to emphasize respect for property in response to vandalism and the removal of religious symbols; sending many timely community-wide messages which condemned all acts of vandalism and all behavior that constituted bias, discrimination, harassment, or hate; commissioning an external review of Drexel’s institutional responses to Title VI cases; and offering outreach and support to individuals and communities who have been impacted by discriminatory conduct.

OCR’s letter also clarified that neither the complaint filed with OCR by the Defense of Freedom Institute, an organization not affiliated with Drexel, which triggered its investigation – about a fire set to a Halloween decoration on the door at a student residence – nor Drexel’s response both to that incident and a majority of complaints received over a two-year period raised any Title VI compliance concerns.

At the same time, OCR detailed a subset of complaints received by the University over the past two academic years and raised concerns about the University’s application and assessment of potential hostile environment impacts raised by those complaints. Although these concerns do not constitute findings of non-compliance, Drexel has already taken steps to address the issues raised by OCR.

Drexel’s voluntary resolution with OCR reflects the University’s and EIC’s commitment to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure a welcoming and inclusive campus environment in which all our students, faculty, and professional staff feel safe, respected, and supported. In fulfilling the terms of this resolution, we will look to engage all of you in our efforts to address any areas where our University’s systems and practices fall short in fostering a sense of safety and belonging. In particular, using the Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusive Culture’s recent climate survey, as well as additional, forthcoming efforts to assess University culture and climate, will assist us in identifying specific areas where we can and will improve.

As a reminder, any University community member who experiences, observes, or who has a concern about discrimination or harassment on the basis of any protected characteristic is encouraged to make a report to EIC. They can contact EIC:

• By Phone: 215.895.1405
• By Email: eic@drexel.edu
• Anonymously Through Drexel University EthicsPoint:
  • 866.358.1010 (phone)
  • Drexel Compliance Hotline (online)
• Office Hours (in-person or virtual): Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY: Call 911 or 215.895.2222 (Drexel Public Safety)

EIC can provide access to supportive measures and information about available options for resolution under Drexel’s Discrimination, Harassment and Bias Incident Prevention Policy (EIC-1).

An unflinching recognition of the ways that Drexel needs to improve, followed by a firm resolve to make those improvements, will always be among our community’s greatest strengths. We believe this resolution agreement will allow us to build on our strengths and address our shortcomings. By acting to prevent and respond more effectively to any conduct that threatens the sense of belonging we strive to maintain, Drexel will continue to grow more inclusive, and therefore better positioned to meet the many challenges facing our University community in the future.

Sincerely,

John Fry
President