DU is under federal investigation for possible violations in the handling of sexual assault complaints, one of 55 schools nationwide named in a list released last Thursday by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

The possible violation falls under Title IX, a 1972 Education Amendment banning discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance.

“The University takes each claim seriously and works to ensure that all claims involving Title IX or similar laws are handled fairly, judicially and expeditiously,” said a DU press release. “The University of Denver follows the guidelines for incidents of sexual assault and provides for the prompt and equitable resolution of sexual discrimination complaints.”

Under Title IX, campus community members hold a right to file a complaint on the outcome of a sexual assault investigation with the OCR if dissatisfied. In the statement, the University said this investigation comes because one person chose to file a complaint on the outcome of an investigation, and that DU responded to the OCR several months ago.

DU is one of four Colorado colleges on the list of investigations, along with the University of Colorado at Boulder, University of Colorado at Denver and Regis University.

“We are making this list available in an effort to bring more transparency to our enforcement work and to foster better public awareness of civil rights,” Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine Lhamon said in the OCR press release.

Women’s Council Co-President Aly Higgins, a sophomore international relations major, said she saw the announcement of the investigation as both a negative and as an opportunity.

“It’s always concerning when you see your school in that framework,” said Higgins. “But I’m happy that it’s in the news and that we have a public push to work on the issue.”

Higgins said the Women’s Council intends to allow women on campus to discuss personal experiences, campus legislation and promote education on sexual assault.

“I hate to see DU’s name associated with this issue,” Higgins said. “But I think it can reunify campus to think about the way we handle sexual assault and be more diligent about the way these issues are handled.”