NCLA Refutes Cornell University’s Motion to Dismiss Its Former Professor’s Title IX Lawsuit
Washington, DC (September 18, 2019) – The New Civil Liberties Alliance has filed
a response opposing Cornell University’s Motion to Dismiss the Complaint NCLA submitted
on behalf of Dr. Mukund Vengalattore last year. Professor Vengalattore, a former tenure-track
physics professor at Cornell, was subjected to a Title IX disciplinary proceeding utterly lacking
in due process and infected by racial and gender bias. As a direct result of its flawed process,
Cornell falsely branded Dr. Vengalattore as guilty of a consensual sexual relationship with a
graduate student—something that neither he nor the student alleged.
Dr. Vengalattore never had a full and fair opportunity to challenge the validity of the charges
against him in the disciplinary proceeding used by Cornell. Cornell’s falsehoods continue to
interfere with his ability to get another tenure-track position, and Dr. Vengalattore is committed
to clearing his name and making sure Cornell’s unfair process cannot be used again. Rather than
attempt to defend its unfair processes, Cornell has tried to portray this case as being about
Vengalattore’s tenure decision—which was already litigated—rather than about Cornell’s
unlawful disciplinary regime.
“Cornell violated Title IX through its gender-biased disciplinary process. They hid the precise
accusations from Dr. Vengalattore yet obligated him to prove his innocence to investigators who
worked hand-in-hand with the accuser. Dr. Vengalattore never had a hearing on these charges
and was not allowed to confront his accuser. This shoddy investigation violated every notion of
due process.” —Caleb Kruckenberg, Litigation Counsel, NCLA
ABOUT NCLA
NCLA is a nonprofit civil rights organization founded by prominent legal scholar Philip
Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State.
NCLA’s public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power
of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore
Americans’ fundamental rights.
For more information visit us online: NCLAlegal.org.
Contact:
Judy Pino
New Civil Liberties Alliance
[email protected]
202-869-5218