Information and Resources:
Department of Justice Title IX Investigation

The DOJ conducted an investigation into UMBC’s compliance with Title IX, which prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs and activities that receive federal funding. 

• The investigation focused primarily on allegations of sex discrimination in the UMBC swimming and diving program in the years 2015–2020.
• The DOJ conducted extensive outreach, including four on-campus visits; conducted 70 interviews with current and former students, university administrators, athletics department staff, and others; and reviewed nearly 200,000 pages of documents.
• UMBC fully cooperated with the DOJ investigation. 

• The DOJ identified problems in the university’s response to allegations of sex discrimination between 2015 and 2020.
• The DOJ’s findings are available here. (Content warning: The document at this link includes specific descriptions of sexual harassment and abuse, dating violence, and other misconduct which may be triggering. Please prioritize your own well-being in engaging with this material.)

• The voluntary agreement specifies important changes in the way the university responds to reports of sexual misconduct and sex-based discrimination.  
• Specifically, the agreement includes measures to enhance the strength, accountability, and independence of the university’s Title IX office; provides for specific support for student-athletes and the Athletics Department staff who serve them; and requires additional university-wide training to improve UMBC’s response to sex discrimination and prevention efforts.
• It represents UMBC’s commitment to address its obligations under Title IX and continue to implement equitable policies and practices. UMBC cooperated fully with the Department of Justice investigation and will meet the terms of this agreement.
• You can read the full agreement here.

• The agreement will be in effect through the 2028-29 academic year. It includes steps the university will take and mandatory reporting to the DOJ to ensure compliance during that period.

• The DOJ determined who would be eligible to receive financial compensation and how much they would receive. 
• The agreement directs the university to provide either $180,000 or $60,000 to each individual, based upon the DOJ’s criteria, for a maximum possible total of $4.14 million. 

• The DOJ has determined eligibility for financial relief and is in the process of notifying the individuals who meet the criteria.

• The financial compensation will come from UMBC funds. 
• The payments will not have any impact on student services, activities, or programs, or any aspect of the academic enterprise.  

• For support resources, these individuals may reach out to the Office of Equity and Civil Rights at 410-455-1717 or ecr@umbc.edu. 

• This work is well under way. As the federal investigation was ongoing, the university took significant steps to ensure an appropriate and vigorous response to allegations of Title IX violations. 
• Soon after President Valerie Sheares Ashby arrived at UMBC in August 2022, she created the role of Vice President for Institutional Equity and Chief Diversity Officer to oversee Title IX compliance, as well as the Office of Equity and Civil Rights.  
• The university’s efforts since then include: 
  • Increasing staffing in the Office of Equity and Civil Rights by recruiting for five full-time permanent positions within that office, including a director and Title IX coordinator, case manager, training and prevention manager, and two investigators;
  • Transforming our Title IX processes to make them more comprehensive and accessible; 
  • Expanding training and prevention initiatives to include mandatory training for students, as well as trainings for faculty and staff; 
  • Thoroughly reviewing the university’s Title IX and anti-discrimination policies and procedures to ensure they meet or exceed current law and best practices;  
  • Relocating the Office of Equity and Civil Rights to a new space on campus to provide greater access and privacy for students and employees; and 
  • Improving the Athletic Department’s structure, governance, and reporting mechanisms. 

• We encourage anyone who experiences discrimination or sexual misconduct of any kind to report it to the Office of Equity and Civil Rights via the online reporting form, email at ecr@umbc.edu, or telephone at 410-455-1717.  
• All reports will be investigated confidentially, impartially, and thoroughly, and appropriate action will be taken according to university policies and the law.

Those who are responsible will be held accountable.

• UMBC did not control the timing of the announcement. We did not choose for the findings to be released during spring break, because we know that our ability to provide care and support is hampered when we are apart, and that it would be difficult for some to receive this information while separated from their UMBC networks and support systems.
• The DOJ chose to release the information in accordance with its practice of releasing findings as soon as possible upon finalizing them.

• A range of support services for immediate and ongoing assistance is available to students, faculty, and staff, including:  
  • The Retriever Support Line at 410-455-3167 or retrieversupport@umbc.edu;
  • Access to trained professionals for emotional support and guidance; and 
  • Clear guidelines and channels for reporting incidents of sexual misconduct and accessing support resources.