Westport Fraternity and Sorority Title IX Investigations
The application of Title IX to federally funded schools can change drastically between presidential administrations, including the degree to which federal authorities focus on Title IX enforcement within fraternities and sororities—sometimes referred to as Greek life. Because of that, Westport fraternity and sorority Title IX investigations can be uniquely complex, both legally and personally, for everyone involved, especially if—as they often do— center around allegations of sexual violence.
If you are involved in a Greek life Title IX case as a complainant or respondent, you should consider reaching out to a Mark Sherman Law Title IX attorney as soon as possible. The actions you take now could have a significant impact on the rest of your academic career and potentially the rest of your life. Support from seasoned legal counsel is key to ensuring you act only in your best interests while your case is ongoing.
Title IX Requirements for Schools With Greek Life
One crucial thing to understand about Title IX investigations involving Greek life in Westport is that fraternities and sororities are almost always private organizations allowed to operate on college or university campuses, rather than groups sponsored by the schools themselves. As our attorneys can explain, this means that while federally funded colleges and universities are expected to provide Title IX protections and enforce Title IX regulations for all their students, they are not directly required to enforce Title IX directly on Greek life organizations.
Accordingly, it is possible for a federally funded college or university to allow an imbalance in membership or in the total numbers of organizations on campus catering exclusively to one gender, as those imbalances arise from choices made by independent organizations rather than those made by the school itself. However, if a school were to enforce Title IX unfairly on fraternities but not sororities, or vice versa, it might violate federal law.
Does Title IX Apply to Off-Campus Fraternities and Sororities?
Changes in Title IX enforcement instituted in recent years limit the degree to which colleges and universities can pursue Title IX investigations into incidents of sex-based discrimination or violence that occurred within off-campus organizations. These fraternity and sorority chapters are not directly affiliated with the school from whose student body they draw the majority of their membership. This means that they are somewhat separated from standard campus life and are subject to less oversight and regulation.
These same changes also narrowed the circumstances under which fraternities and sororities are allowed to discipline or remove active chapter members in response to Title IX investigations in Westport. Currently, these organizations are required to wait until investigations conclude before taking any such action—but as any experienced Title IX lawyer can affirm, that may change again on short notice through additional federal action.
Contact a Westport Attorney Today for Help With a Fraternity or Sorority Title IX Investigation
Whether your fraternity or sorority is directly affiliated with your college or university in an official capacity or exists off-campus, Title IX protections are available to you if your school receives federal funding. Equally, your school can conduct Title IX investigations into incidents that allegedly occurred within your chapter of Greek life.
Handling Westport fraternity and sorority Title IX investigations as a complainant or respondent is complex. For help with this process, make contacting a Title IX lawyer your top priority. Call Mark Sherman Law today for a consultation, or see what past clients have said about working with us by visiting our Avvo profile.