2014 Title IX Complaint Against Harvard Cited Final Clubs
The 2014 complaint that led to a federal investigation into Harvard's compliance with Title IX highlighted all-male final clubs as significant sites of sexual violence. Filed by two undergraduates, the complaint criticized Harvard for not monitoring these clubs, arguing this condoned a space that facilitated alcohol-related sexual violence against women. Following this, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights initiated an ongoing investigation. Amid this, Harvard implemented a policy penalizing membership in single-gender social organizations, starting with the Class of 2021, to reduce their influence. Dean of the College Rakesh Khurana, referencing the Title IX investigation, discussed the necessity of controlling student behavior at these clubs to avoid potential federal funding loss. Filed by Emily M. Fox-Penner ’17 and another student, the complaint argued Harvard failed to inform students adequately about their Title IX rights and criticized the University’s disciplinary processes for sexual aggressors. It also argued that under the Clery Act, Harvard should report crimes occurring in final clubs, even though the clubs are independent. The complaint emphasized that final clubs are central to student social life and criticized their "sexist" and "racist" practices.| Creator |
Natanson, Hannah
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| Publisher |
The Harvard Crimson
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| Date |
2017-09-13
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| Format |
Digital
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| Local URL |
https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2017/9/13/complaint-cited-final-clubs/
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| Tags | Advocacy, Final Clubs, Legal, Student Publications |
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| Date Added | July 8, 2024 |
| Date Modifed | January 7, 2025 |
| Collection | Harvard and Sexual Assault |