Department of Education reviewing more Title IX complaints against MSU

Michigan State University is being hit with more complaints about their Title IX office.

News 10 has confirmed that two former students at the university have filed complaints stating MSU's Title IX Office was incompetent and biased in favor of university professors.

The two also claim the universities investigation into the matter is taking too long.

Elizabeth Abdnour, the attorney handling the complaints, says the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights is reviewing both cases.

Ms. Abdnour has two clients, Hannah Smith and a male client, simply described as - in his 50's.

Abdnour confirmed with News 10 that the two complaints were filed in the past two months.

Smith's concerns of harassment came January 2018, and she says she reported the harassment to MSU at that time.

The unidentified man's complaint occurred in November and December of 2017.

He reported harassment and stalking at that time, as well as, once again the following April.

He made a complaint to MSU Title IX Office in May of 2018.

MSU has told Smith that her case status has not reached a conclusion.

As of Saturday, she has received a preliminary investigative report, but her attorney says this is not a determination

The unidentified man was told by MSU that his case was rejected in February of 2019.

The reason he was given was "not enough evidence of harassment."

MSU's Office of Institutional Equity, contracts out to independent law firms to do their investigations.

Smith's complaint is that investigation took too long, and allowed the professor in question to retire with full professor emeritus status.

Abdnour's other client says the professor who harassed him was promoted to full professor while his investigation was going on.

Abdnour added that her client feels there is bias because as a male he reported harassment by a female professor.

"Stress and emotional impact has been great on them to be waiting this long," said Abdnour.