Campus Sexual Misconduct Due Process Protections

This paper explores the present state of institutional discipline regarding sexual assaults on campus and the impact of the April 4, 2011 “Dear Colleague Letter” (DCL) issued by the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Education on this problem. The paper then discusses the applicable Title IX standards and the procedural due process rights for the accused in campus sexual assault cases. The paper explores colleges’ responses to the DCL and means for redress for the accused under Title IX. The author argues that the DCL improperly incentivizes colleges to convict the accused, and suggests that cases of sexual assault on university campuses should be referred to courts to secure proper due process rights for both the accused and the accuser.