Independent Audit Finds University of Northern Iowa’s Sexual Misconduct Polices Are Inadequate

The National Center for Higher Education Risk Management recently completed an audit of the University of Northern Iowa’s policies for dealing with cases of sexual misconduct and allegations of sexual assault. The assessment found the university’s procedures were so confusing that they undoubtedly discouraged victims from disclosing misconduct.

The University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Rapids enrolls about 13,000 students. Some 57 percent of the undergraduate students are women.

According to reports, the audit found that students generally did not know where to go to report sexual misconduct and when they inquired they were often given conflicting information. The audit found the university’s website “is not user friendly regarding useful information about responding to sex/gender misconduct.” The audit also disclosed that that allegations of sexual misconduct were investigated by different offices and were handled inconsistently.