The College Fix has a breaking story, by editor Jennifer Kabbany. Here’s the start:
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos today announced plans to make changes to how universities adjudicate sexual assault claims, calling the current guidelines a “failed system.”
The decision comes after years of criticisms lodged at the current guidelines, put in place in 2011 under the Obama Administration through a “Dear Colleague” letter, which many say have resulted in the accused being railroaded in favor of the accuser.
“Instead of working with schools on behalf of students, the prior administration weaponized the Office for Civil Rights to work against schools and against students,” DeVos said at a speech at George Mason University today.
With that, the department’s Office for Civil Rights will launch a notice and comment period during which students, parents, watch dogs, administrators, advocates and others can suggest recommendations on how to improve the guidelines.