New College: What we know about the federal civil rights investigation
The U.S. Department of Education opened a civil rights investigation into Sarasota's New College of Florida on Sept. 8.
Here is what we know:
How the Department of Education New College investigation began
The federal investigation came after two discrimination complaints filed to the DOE. The DOE sent a letter to Interim President Richard Corcoran last week that involves alleged disability discrimination regarding the school's website, a complaint filed Aug. 24, according to a department spokesperson.
A separate complaint filed to the DOE two days earlier outlined an ongoing trend of discrimination against "protected groups" such as LGBTQ+ students, and the creation of a hostile environment toward those students. The agency has not responded to inquiries about whether it is investigating that complaint.
New College has been the subject of an aggressive conservative transformation spearheaded by Gov. Ron DeSantis-appointed trustees tasked with shaping the small liberal arts school into the "Hillsdale College of the South." Hillsdale College is a private, conservative Christian liberal arts school in Michigan.
The school's leadership dissolved the college's diversity department, abolished the gender studies program, fired an LGBTQ librarian and denied tenure to five faculty members set to receive it, all of which is outlined in the Aug. 24 civil rights complaint.
The board also dissolved the school's gender studies program in a vote at the end of a meeting on Aug. 10.
Amid the changes, more than a third of faculty have left New College causing course cancellations and staffing vacancies for the fall semester.
The school's existing student body and alumni have been vocally opposed to the changes, establishing organizations such as NCF Freedom and the Novo Collegian Alliance in order to fight the changing landscape at the school.
Investigating disability discrimination at New College
The DOE’s Office of Civil Rights said it plans to investigate whether New College "excluded qualified persons with disabilities from participation in, denied them the benefits of, or otherwise subjected them to discrimination in its programs, activities, aids, benefits, or services." The source of the complaint has not been disclosed.
It also plans to investigate whether New College failed to ensure that its communications with individuals with disabilities were as effective as its communications with others.
"... the Complainant alleges that the College is failing to afford persons with disabilities an opportunity to participate in and benefit from the services, programs, and activities communicated through the College’s websites and third-party websites that is equal to opportunities afforded to others," the letter to New College read.
Goals of the separate New College LGBTQ+ discrimination complaint
The complaint asked that the DOE order the college's leadership to rescind discriminatory policies and directives, and provide safe and equivalent housing for students who wish to live on campus. It asserted that the college discriminated against current students in housing assignments, and asked the DOE to help ensure students with disabilities are assigned to safe and healthy living spaces.
Also, the complainant asked the DOE to order New College to implement mandatory training for staff, administration, and the Board of Trustees on supporting LGBTQ+ and minority students.
Lawyer and New College alumnae Jennifer Granick said she hoped the investigation was the first step in ensuring all students have equal access to an education at New College.
"The ultimate goal is for (marginalized) students... (to) be welcomed and to be able to get a good education because they are not being subjected to ridicule or exclusion or policies which disproportionately burden them and interfere with their ability to get an education," Granick said.
New College's response
Nathan March, a spokesperson for New College, dismissed the investigation and the LGBTQ+ complaint in a statement issued Sept. 11. He said the Aug. 22 complaint contained "many false claims meant to grab headlines," and that the college never received a copy of the complaint.
March expressed confidence that the DOE would find no merit to any claims of disability discrimination.
"It is important to note that the only claim that is being looked into is the (Aug. 24) disability compliance claim, of which we are confident the DOE will also find to be without merit," March said.
Follow Herald-Tribune Education Reporter Steven Walker on Twitter at @swalker_7. He can be reached at sbwalker@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: New College of Florida: What we know about the DOE civil rights probe
