The U.S. Education Department's Office for Civil Rights has started an investigation into how Los Angeles-based University of Southern California handled accusations against a former university gynecologist.
The office will specifically examine USC's response to reports and sexual harassment complaints against former chief gynecologist George Tyndall, MD, dating to the 1990s that were not fully investigated by the university until spring 2016 and that the university failed to disclose to the office during an earlier investigation, the Education Department stated.
"No student should ever endure sexual harassment or abuse while trying to pursue their education," U.S. Education Sercretary Betsy DeVos stated.. "Every student on every campus should have a safe learning environment, and I expect all education institutions under the department's jurisdiction to take seriously their responsibilities under Title IX, [which prohibits sex discrimination]. Attempts to obfuscate or hide Title IX violations from the department will not be tolerated, and I am calling on USC to cooperate fully and completely with this investigation."
Dr. Tyndall continued to see patients for at least three decades, even though there were sexual harassment complaints filed against him. The university suspended the physician in 2016 after a complaint from a nurse, and forced him to leave USC last year after an internal investigation.
There was public outcry from students, faculty, alumni and others after it was learned the university reportedly did not immediately report sexual harassment allegations against Dr. Tyndall to the Medical Board of California, and only did so after the university was approached by the Los Angeles Times for an investigation published May 16. USC students sued USC over the scandal. Thousands of people also signed petitions calling on C.L. Max Nikias, PhD, president of USC to resign or be placed on leave. In May, Dr. Nikias agreed to resign.
Reuters could not reach Dr. Tyndall for comment, but noted he has denied any wrongdoing in Los Angeles Times reports.
The civil rights investigation will center on whether USC violated civil rights under Title IX with respect to its handling of the issue, according to Reuters.
Alyssa Rege and Alia Paavola contributed to this report.
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