Families Advocating for Campus Equality.
Families Advocating for Campus Equality.
NEWS TICKER
Announcement:
DOE: Overreach & Erosion of our Civil Liberties: A Letter to Congress
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
We are writing to urge Congress to conduct thorough investigations or hearings on the misapplication, abuse, and unintended consequences of Title IX guidance and regulations issued over the past 13 years. Beginning with the Department of Education’s (DOE’s) 2011 “Dear Colleague Letter,” followed by the 2014 guidance, and culminating in the 2024 Title IX regulations that have been ruled unlawful and vacated by the U.S. District
Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. In January 2025, the DOE’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) agreed with this ruling and reverted to the 2020 Title IX Rule. These guidelines or regulations have significantly impacted American educational institutions, students (especially autistic), and faculty in ways that demand careful scrutiny and the implementation of accountability measures to prevent such overreach from any agency or department (i.e., government) in the future.
We are writing to urge Congress to conduct thorough investigations or hearings on the misapplication, abuse, and unintended consequences of Title IX guidance and regulations issued over the past 13 years. Beginning with the Department of Education’s (DOE’s) 2011 “Dear Colleague Letter,” followed by the 2014 guidance, and culminating in the 2024 Title IX regulations that have been ruled unlawful and vacated by the U.S. District
Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. In January 2025, the DOE’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) agreed with this ruling and reverted to the 2020 Title IX Rule. These guidelines or regulations have significantly impacted American educational institutions, students (especially autistic), and faculty in ways that demand careful scrutiny and the implementation of accountability measures to prevent such overreach from any agency or department (i.e., government) in the future.
We are writing to urge Congress to conduct thorough investigations or hearings on the misapplication, abuse, and unintended consequences of Title IX guidance and regulations issued over the past 13 years. Beginning with the Department of Education’s (DOE’s) 2011 “Dear Colleague Letter,” followed by the 2014 guidance, and culminating in the 2024 Title IX regulations that have been ruled unlawful and vacated by the U.S. District
Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. In January 2025, the DOE’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) agreed with this ruling and reverted to the 2020 Title IX Rule. These guidelines or regulations have significantly impacted American educational institutions, students (especially autistic), and faculty in ways that demand careful scrutiny and the implementation of accountability measures to prevent such overreach from any agency or department (i.e., government) in the future.
We are writing to urge Congress to conduct thorough investigations or hearings on the misapplication, abuse, and unintended consequences of Title IX guidance and regulations issued over the past 13 years. Beginning with the Department of Education’s (DOE’s) 2011 “Dear Colleague Letter,” followed by the 2014 guidance, and culminating in the 2024 Title IX regulations that have been ruled unlawful and vacated by the U.S. District
Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. In January 2025, the DOE’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) agreed with this ruling and reverted to the 2020 Title IX Rule. These guidelines or regulations have significantly impacted American educational institutions, students (especially autistic), and faculty in ways that demand careful scrutiny and the implementation of accountability measures to prevent such overreach from any agency or department (i.e., government) in the future.
Our non-profit, Families Advocating for Campus Equality (FACE), exists because thousands of individuals across this country have either witnessed or experienced the disturbing erosion of our civil liberties in campus disciplinary procedures. Our advocacy is dedicated to ensuring that allegations of misconduct are respected and addressed through transparent and equitable disciplinary processes. Our guiding principle is that justice can only be achieved when processes are fair, impartial, and aimed at finding the truth.
OCR issued the 2011 "Dear Colleague Letter" as guidance for schools to handle cases of sexual harassment and assault under Title IX without the oversight of our legal system. This letter introduced standards, such as the "preponderance of the evidence" for disciplinary decisions related to sexual misconduct allegations, and pushed for expedited investigation timelines that, while intended to support victims of sexual misconduct, have resulted in a disturbing erosion of due process rights. Many students and faculty were denied fair hearings, equal representation, an opportunity to thoroughly review evidence, or the ability to submit evidence. This has resulted in wrongful decisions, mistrust of legitimate claims of misconduct, unjustified punishments, and the misuse of limited disciplinary resources.
In 2014, the DOE doubled down on the 2011 guidance, further embedding processes that led to an imbalance in how schools handle sexual misconduct cases under Title IX or non-Title IX policies. Fearful of federal investigations and the potential loss of federal funding, many colleges and universities implemented policies that often prioritized institutional protection over truth and fairness, disregarded fundamental human rights, and presumed guilt.
In 2020 the DOE issued Title IX regulations – which, unlike the 2011 Dear Colleague Letter, went through a robust public comment process – to restore some fundamental fairness and due process, but many colleges and universities struggle to implement fair and unbiased processes. Instead, past injustices and deep-rooted inequitable practices linger through many school's non-Title IX policies.
DOE: Overreach & Erosion of our Civil Liberties: A Letter to Congress
1. Thousands of innocent students and faculty members have suffered reputational, emotional, educational, and career damage under these inequitable disciplinary practices.
2. Mistrust in campus disciplinary findings has increased, as colleges and universities remain under pressure to avoid federal scrutiny rather than prioritize fair, thorough investigations.
3. The original purpose of Title IX—to prevent sex discrimination in education—has been twisted to create regulations and policies that do not treat all students equally.
1. Thousands of innocent students and faculty members have suffered reputational, emotional, educational, and career damage under these inequitable disciplinary practices.
2. Mistrust in campus disciplinary findings has increased, as colleges and universities remain under pressure to avoid federal scrutiny rather than prioritize fair, thorough investigations.
3. The original purpose of Title IX—to prevent sex discrimination in education—has been twisted to create regulations and policies that do not treat all students equally.
1. Thousands of innocent students and faculty members have suffered reputational, emotional, educational, and career damage under these inequitable disciplinary practices.
2. Mistrust in campus disciplinary findings has increased, as colleges and universities remain under pressure to avoid federal scrutiny rather than prioritize fair, thorough investigations.
3. The original purpose of Title IX—to prevent sex discrimination in education—has been twisted to create regulations and policies that do not treat all students equally.
1. Thousands of innocent students and faculty members have suffered reputational, emotional, educational, and career damage under these inequitable disciplinary practices.
2. Mistrust in campus disciplinary findings has increased, as colleges and universities remain under pressure to avoid federal scrutiny rather than prioritize fair, thorough investigations.
3. The original purpose of Title IX—to prevent sex discrimination in education—has been twisted to create regulations and policies that do not treat all students equally.
The cumulative impact of the abuse of Title IX and campus disciplinary processes has been substantial
1. The Impact of the 2011 "Dear Colleague Letter" and 2014 Guidance:
Conduct a full investigation into how these guidelines or regulations led to the denial of due process rights and encouraged schools to adopt policies that often placed students and faculty at a severe disadvantage. Consider enforcing accountability measures to restore the good reputation of those who were affected. Accountability measures could include, requiring schools to expunge the records of any one judged or punished under biased or unreliable rules, or at a minimum, require OCR to resolve all discrimination complaints filed within it’s agency, starting with those filed 7 or more years ago.
2. The Impact of the 2020 Title IX Final Rule:
Assess any outcomes of the 2020 regulations to determine if they have succeeded in restoring fairness and equity in campus disciplinary proceedings or if further adjustments are necessary.
3. Oversight of the DOE’s Enforcement of Title IX:
Evaluate the Department's role in pushing schools toward regulations and policies that have violated constitutional and fundamental rights, and consider accountability measures such as monetary penalties to prevent such overreach in the future.
4. Oversight of Schools’ Enforcement of non-Title IX Campus Investigations and Adjudications:
Evaluate how schools’ policies have violated constitutional and fundamental rights and consider accountability measures such as monetary penalties to prevent such overreach in the future.
1. The Impact of the 2011 "Dear Colleague Letter" and 2014 Guidance:
Conduct a full investigation into how these guidelines or regulations led to the denial of due process rights and encouraged schools to adopt policies that often placed students and faculty at a severe disadvantage. Consider enforcing accountability measures to restore the good reputation of those who were affected. Accountability measures could include, requiring schools to expunge the records of any one judged or punished under biased or unreliable rules, or at a minimum, require OCR to resolve all discrimination complaints filed within it’s agency, starting with those filed 7 or more years ago.
2. The Impact of the 2020 Title IX Final Rule:
Assess any outcomes of the 2020 regulations to determine if they have succeeded in restoring fairness and equity in campus disciplinary proceedings or if further adjustments are necessary.
3. Oversight of the DOE’s Enforcement of Title IX:
Evaluate the Department's role in pushing schools toward regulations and policies that have violated constitutional and fundamental rights, and consider accountability measures such as monetary penalties to prevent such overreach in the future.
4. Oversight of Schools’ Enforcement of non-Title IX Campus Investigations and Adjudications:
Evaluate how schools’ policies have violated constitutional and fundamental rights and consider accountability measures such as monetary penalties to prevent such overreach in the future.
1. The Impact of the 2011 "Dear Colleague Letter" and 2014 Guidance:
Conduct a full investigation into how these guidelines or regulations led to the denial of due process rights and encouraged schools to adopt policies that often placed students and faculty at a severe disadvantage. Consider enforcing accountability measures to restore the good reputation of those who were affected. Accountability measures could include, requiring schools to expunge the records of any one judged or punished under biased or unreliable rules, or at a minimum, require OCR to resolve all discrimination complaints filed within it’s agency, starting with those filed 7 or more years ago.
2. The Impact of the 2020 Title IX Final Rule:
Assess any outcomes of the 2020 regulations to determine if they have succeeded in restoring fairness and equity in campus disciplinary proceedings or if further adjustments are necessary.
3. Oversight of the DOE’s Enforcement of Title IX:
Evaluate the Department's role in pushing schools toward regulations and policies that have violated constitutional and fundamental rights, and consider accountability measures such as monetary penalties to prevent such overreach in the future.
4. Oversight of Schools’ Enforcement of non-Title IX Campus Investigations and Adjudications:
Evaluate how schools’ policies have violated constitutional and fundamental rights and consider accountability measures such as monetary penalties to prevent such overreach in the future.
1. The Impact of the 2011 "Dear Colleague Letter" and 2014 Guidance:
Conduct a full investigation into how these guidelines or regulations led to the denial of due process rights and encouraged schools to adopt policies that often placed students and faculty at a severe disadvantage. Consider enforcing accountability measures to restore the good reputation of those who were affected. Accountability measures could include, requiring schools to expunge the records of any one judged or punished under biased or unreliable rules, or at a minimum, require OCR to resolve all discrimination complaints filed within it’s agency, starting with those filed 7 or more years ago.
2. The Impact of the 2020 Title IX Final Rule:
Assess any outcomes of the 2020 regulations to determine if they have succeeded in restoring fairness and equity in campus disciplinary proceedings or if further adjustments are necessary.
3. Oversight of the DOE’s Enforcement of Title IX:
Evaluate the Department's role in pushing schools toward regulations and policies that have violated constitutional and fundamental rights, and consider accountability measures such as monetary penalties to prevent such overreach in the future.
4. Oversight of Schools’ Enforcement of non-Title IX Campus Investigations and Adjudications:
Evaluate how schools’ policies have violated constitutional and fundamental rights and consider accountability measures such as monetary penalties to prevent such overreach in the future.
We urge Congress to examine the following:
Congress has a duty to protect the constitutional rights of students and faculty and ensure that campus tribunals are implemented in a manner that is just, fair, and in line with our judicial system. We respectfully urge you to take immediate steps to restore trust in our educational institutions by investigating the policies that have, for too long, compromised these values.
Thank you so much for your attention to this critical issue. We look forward to seeing Congress act decisively to restore the intended protections of Title IX and our legal protections to campus disciplinary systems.
Sincerely,
FACE. Families Advocating for Campus Equality
A Section 501(c)(3) charitable and educational foundation
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Thursday, July 18, 2024
If you are affected by sexual misconduct allegations, you are NOT alone. Since 2013, Families Advocating for Campus Equality (FACE) has assisted thousands of accused individuals and provides confidential support for victims of untrue allegations and their family members. If you have been accused, please review What to Do if Accused. To learn more about how to protect yourself from sexual misconduct allegations, please check Avoid Allegations. Students or faculty members accused of sexual misconduct are strongly encouraged to seek the advice of legal counsel immediately, regardless of any local law enforcement involvement and any procedural guidelines or restraints on legal representation at the school. Although separate from our civil and criminal court system, the school disciplinary process can have devastating life-long effects on future educational and employment opportunities. Sexual misconduct (i.e., assault, rape) should be handled by courts of law rather than unqualified campus tribunals. FACE supports and advocates for equal treatment and due process for all affected by campus disciplinary processes. Furthermore, we support projects to create balanced Title IX procedures and protections against criminal behavior and erroneous accusations on campus. We believe that many untrue accusations in campus tribunals are not knowingly untrue but are likely misremembered or otherwise distorted by intoxication, peer pressure, activist misrepresentation, and campus culture. Whether the untrue accusations are deliberate, misguided, or misremembered is irrelevant to those accused; they have been implicated for something they did not do and will suffer devastating consequences. We will refer to all untrue accusations, including deliberate, misguided, or misremembered, as “wrongful.”
If you are affected by sexual misconduct allegations, you are NOT alone. Since 2013, Families Advocating for Campus Equality (FACE) has assisted thousands of accused individuals and provides confidential support for victims of untrue allegations and their family members. If you have been accused, please review What to Do if Accused. To learn more about how to protect yourself from sexual misconduct allegations, please check Avoid Allegations. Students or faculty members accused of sexual misconduct are strongly encouraged to seek the advice of legal counsel immediately, regardless of any local law enforcement involvement and any procedural guidelines or restraints on legal representation at the school. Although separate from our civil and criminal court system, the school disciplinary process can have devastating life-long effects on future educational and employment opportunities. Sexual misconduct (i.e., assault, rape) should be handled by courts of law rather than unqualified campus tribunals. FACE supports and advocates for equal treatment and due process for all affected by campus disciplinary processes. Furthermore, we support projects to create balanced Title IX procedures and protections against criminal behavior and erroneous accusations on campus. We believe that many untrue accusations in campus tribunals are not knowingly untrue but are likely misremembered or otherwise distorted by intoxication, peer pressure, activist misrepresentation, and campus culture. Whether the untrue accusations are deliberate, misguided, or misremembered is irrelevant to those accused; they have been implicated for something they did not do and will suffer devastating consequences. We will refer to all untrue accusations, including deliberate, misguided, or misremembered, as “wrongful.”
If you are affected by sexual misconduct allegations, you are NOT alone. Since 2013, Families Advocating for Campus Equality (FACE) has assisted thousands of accused individuals and provides confidential support for victims of untrue allegations and their family members. If you have been accused, please review What to Do if Accused. To learn more about how to protect yourself from sexual misconduct allegations, please check Avoid Allegations. Students or faculty members accused of sexual misconduct are strongly encouraged to seek the advice of legal counsel immediately, regardless of any local law enforcement involvement and any procedural guidelines or restraints on legal representation at the school. Although separate from our civil and criminal court system, the school disciplinary process can have devastating life-long effects on future educational and employment opportunities. Sexual misconduct (i.e., assault, rape) should be handled by courts of law rather than unqualified campus tribunals. FACE supports and advocates for equal treatment and due process for all affected by campus disciplinary processes. Furthermore, we support projects to create balanced Title IX procedures and protections against criminal behavior and erroneous accusations on campus. We believe that many untrue accusations in campus tribunals are not knowingly untrue but are likely misremembered or otherwise distorted by intoxication, peer pressure, activist misrepresentation, and campus culture. Whether the untrue accusations are deliberate, misguided, or misremembered is irrelevant to those accused; they have been implicated for something they did not do and will suffer devastating consequences. We will refer to all untrue accusations, including deliberate, misguided, or misremembered, as “wrongful.”
If you are affected by sexual misconduct allegations, you are NOT alone. Since 2013, Families Advocating for Campus Equality (FACE) has assisted thousands of accused individuals and provides confidential support for victims of untrue allegations and their family members. If you have been accused, please review What to Do if Accused. To learn more about how to protect yourself from sexual misconduct allegations, please check Avoid Allegations. Students or faculty members accused of sexual misconduct are strongly encouraged to seek the advice of legal counsel immediately, regardless of any local law enforcement involvement and any procedural guidelines or restraints on legal representation at the school. Although separate from our civil and criminal court system, the school disciplinary process can have devastating life-long effects on future educational and employment opportunities. Sexual misconduct (i.e., assault, rape) should be handled by courts of law rather than unqualified campus tribunals. FACE supports and advocates for equal treatment and due process for all affected by campus disciplinary processes. Furthermore, we support projects to create balanced Title IX procedures and protections against criminal behavior and erroneous accusations on campus. We believe that many untrue accusations in campus tribunals are not knowingly untrue but are likely misremembered or otherwise distorted by intoxication, peer pressure, activist misrepresentation, and campus culture. Whether the untrue accusations are deliberate, misguided, or misremembered is irrelevant to those accused; they have been implicated for something they did not do and will suffer devastating consequences. We will refer to all untrue accusations, including deliberate, misguided, or misremembered, as “wrongful.”
What FACE Does
When it comes to sex-related offenses, there are many organizations devoted to supporting and advocating for victims of rape and sexual assault. Still, very few organizations exist that support and advocate for victims of wrongful accusations of such offenses. FACE is committed to filling this gap so the voices of the wrongfully accused will be adequately heard. Because, unlike accusers, wrongfully accused individuals will be publicly humiliated and vilified based only on an accusation and will gain little or nothing from publicly insisting that they were wrongfully accused, many people will assume the accusation alone proves guilt. If found not responsible and they go public, many people will still think they did it and say, “They just got off.” There is nothing to gain and much to lose by telling someone you were wrongfully accused of a heinous offense. Contrast that with the incentives for accusers. If they win their case on campus, most will go public, claim the mantle of victimhood, and be honored for their bravery in speaking out. If they lose their case, they can still claim the mantle of victimhood and accuse the school of getting it wrong. This is why the stories of accusers, not the wrongfully accused, dominate the public sphere. Whether they prevail or not, wrongfully accused victims rarely gain from publicly telling their stories, so FACE is committed to speaking for them.
When it comes to sex-related offenses, there are many organizations devoted to supporting and advocating for victims of rape and sexual assault. Still, very few organizations exist that support and advocate for victims of wrongful accusations of such offenses. FACE is committed to filling this gap so the voices of the wrongfully accused will be adequately heard. Because, unlike accusers, wrongfully accused individuals will be publicly humiliated and vilified based only on an accusation and will gain little or nothing from publicly insisting that they were wrongfully accused, many people will assume the accusation alone proves guilt. If found not responsible and they go public, many people will still think they did it and say, “They just got off.” There is nothing to gain and much to lose by telling someone you were wrongfully accused of a heinous offense. Contrast that with the incentives for accusers. If they win their case on campus, most will go public, claim the mantle of victimhood, and be honored for their bravery in speaking out. If they lose their case, they can still claim the mantle of victimhood and accuse the school of getting it wrong. This is why the stories of accusers, not the wrongfully accused, dominate the public sphere. Whether they prevail or not, wrongfully accused victims rarely gain from publicly telling their stories, so FACE is committed to speaking for them.
Why Advocate for Those Wrongfully Accused
THANK YOU for Considering a Donation to the Oliver Transue FACE Gift Fund!
Donor Privacy & Rights: FACE will not sell, trade, or share a donor's personal information nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations unless the donor has given specific permission. As a donor, FACE promises to comply with the Donor Bill of Rights.
FACE is a charitable and educational tax-exempt foundation within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. FACE's Federal Identification Number is 47-1696020.
THANK YOU for Considering a Donation to the Oliver Transue FACE Gift Fund!
Donor Privacy & Rights: FACE will not sell, trade, or share a donor's personal information nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations unless the donor has given specific permission. As a donor, FACE promises to comply with the Donor Bill of Rights.
FACE is a charitable and educational tax-exempt foundation within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. FACE's Federal Identification Number is 47-1696020.
THANK YOU for Considering a Donation to the Oliver Transue FACE Gift Fund!
Donor Privacy & Rights: FACE will not sell, trade, or share a donor's personal information nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations unless the donor has given specific permission. As a donor, FACE promises to comply with the Donor Bill of Rights.
FACE is a charitable and educational tax-exempt foundation within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. FACE's Federal Identification Number is 47-1696020.
THANK YOU for Considering a Donation to the Oliver Transue FACE Gift Fund!
Donor Privacy & Rights: FACE will not sell, trade, or share a donor's personal information nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations unless the donor has given specific permission. As a donor, FACE promises to comply with the Donor Bill of Rights.
FACE is a charitable and educational tax-exempt foundation within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. FACE's Federal Identification Number is 47-1696020.
Let's Talk
Don't be afraid to say hello
Use the form to reach out for support, and a member of the FACE Outreach Committee will contact you. Please be as detailed as possible. Include the college or university, along with any specific requests or questions. To help us best serve your case, we recommend that you first describe the issue you’re having before telling us what you want to achieve. You may also email or call us. Our general response time is one business day.
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“FACE does not engage in the practice of law, cannot provide legal advice or representation, and does not enter into attorney-client relationships with those we help. Although there is information on our site about legal issues, it is not legal advice.”
“FACE does not engage in the practice of law, cannot provide legal advice or representation, and does not enter into attorney-client relationships with those we help. Although there is information on our site about legal issues, it is not legal advice.”
“FACE does not engage in the practice of law, cannot provide legal advice or representation, and does not enter into attorney-client relationships with those we help. Although there is information on our site about legal issues, it is not legal advice.”
“FACE does not engage in the practice of law, cannot provide legal advice or representation, and does not enter into attorney-client relationships with those we help. Although there is information on our site about legal issues, it is not legal advice.”
© 2024 Families Advocating for Campus Equality. All rights reserved.
© 2024 Families Advocating for Campus Equality. All rights reserved.