UAA sign on campus. Photo by Jason Herr.
On Jan. 30, a University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) graduate student filed a lawsuit against the University of Alaska (UA), alleging that the university mishandled her complaint against a UAF geophysics professor who served as her faculty advisor. Fairbanks Daily News-Miner originally reported on the lawsuit, which references a 2017 investigation by the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) investigation into UA Title IX procedures.
OCR’s investigation focused on the UA system’s Title IX proceedings and processing, and concluded through a four-year compliance review that UA violated Title IX requirements. OCR reported that cases were incomplete or not conducted, and investigations were unduly delayed or suspended because of law enforcement procedures.
One case, identified as Case Number 16, took over 78 days to investigate and 351 days to finalize.
OCR concluded there were failures to issue final investigative reports across all UA campuses. “In addition, OCR determined that certain investigations were not prompt and the System failed to assess and address hostile environment.”
In 2017, UA signed a resolution agreement that committed to revise Title IX policies. The agreement included provisions for reliable and impartial investigations, improved employee training, greater oversight and follow-up reporting.
The plaintiff first reported her faculty advisor to UAF’s Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities in late 2022. She later chose not to continue her formal complaint because the faculty member still supervised her.
After the student met with UAF’s Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability in 2024, an administrative investigation began.
Following the investigation, the university issued a no-contact directive. The plaintiff alleged that the directive was violated several times and the university system did not take further action to enforce directive requirements.
A second report was issued in 2025 and found that sex discrimination and retaliation hindered the plaintiff’s ability to proceed with her studies as expected.
The lawsuit alleged that UAF’s failure to enforce the no-contact order and implement protective measures caused her to feel unsafe on campus and affected her ability to complete her degree.
The lawsuit also claimed that the investigation took 11 months to conclude, which exceeded the 180-day timeframe outlined in UA’s Title IX policy.
In an email to The Northern Light, University of Alaska Anchorage Communications and Public Relations Manager Catalina Myers wrote, “First, the UA system has vigorously disputed the allegations in the UAF lawsuit and continues to do so in court filings.”
Title IX Coordinator Sara Childress wrote, “The current OCR investigative team has extensive experience and continuity, reflecting years of service withing the University of Alaska system.”
To read full detailed coverage of the lawsuit, visit UAF’s Sun Star re-publication of Fairbanks Daily News-Miner’s coverage.
The OCR’s full PDF report is available to download on UA’s Compliance Review page.
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