Higher Education & K-12 Education

Whether a Title IX investigation or sexual abuse claim against a teacher or a school, a free speech issue or student protest, an active shooter training or high profile leadership transition, Rotenberg Associates has been there. We understand the unique legal and reputational issues facing K-12 schools and higher education institutions, both public and private.

Representative Higher Education & K-12 Education Experience

Large public university faces high profile federal lawsuit by former student alleging sexual assault by fellow student in violation of Title IX, and related social media and mainstream media campaign against the university.
Termination of an Athletic Director at a large public university amid accusations of sexual harassment by coaches and others.
Forced resignation of a President at a large public university amid audit and state attorney general investigation of financial improprieties and executive compensation concerns.
Resignation of Provost of large public university amidst community protests of past academic writings
President at large public university faces public controversy and negative media regarding students kneeling during Pledge of Allegiance at football games.
Student protests at a Catholic university related to the termination of a faculty member following reports of harassment and his production and performance of an obscene play, raising Title IX and First Amendment issues.
Large public high school faces media scrutiny, student walk-outs, and community protests alleging school administrators discriminate against African American students in applying student suspensions and expulsions.
Large public high school conducts a federally funded 3-day “active shooter” simulation and table top exercises with Rotenberg Associates providing all media relations and communications simulations.
Negative high profile national and local media concerning private school termination of a teacher accused of sexual assault and subsequent social media campaign by activists.
Private elementary school faces accusation of sexual assault of kindergarten student by teacher.
Private boarding school faces media scrutiny, criminal investigation and civil litigation regarding sexual assault of students by former teachers decades ago.

Case Study

Amid dramatically heightened national attention to sexual assault on college campuses, a large public university was sued in federal court by a former student alleging violations of Title IX arising from the university’s alleged mishandling of her sexual assault claim against a fellow student. The university had followed an investigative and adjudicative process in line with the US Department of Education’s “Dear Colleague” letter. Nonetheless, the plaintiff engaged in an extensive media and social media campaign alleging the university failed to properly investigate, and humiliated her during the adjudicative process. Local and federal government officials seized the moment to express their positions on pending legislation and threatened funding cuts. Rotenberg Associates assisted the university in developing an effective communications strategy, media relations, and messaging to university stakeholders and government officials.