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Judge dismisses Title IX lawsuit against MSU

October 28, 2021
<p>Spartan Stadium photographed on Aug. 23, 2019. </p>

Spartan Stadium photographed on Aug. 23, 2019.

Photo by Matt Schmucker | The State News

The Title IX lawsuit filed by a Michigan State University football player was dismissed on Oct. 22.

The unnamed player had alleged the university violated his rights by leaving him on indefinite suspension during an ongoing investigation of a sexual assault complaint involving him.

According to the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court's Western Michigan district, an unnamed sophomore and another MSU football player sexually assaulted a female student intern. The incident took place in Case Hall in January, though the players said the encounter was consensual. 

A warrant request was submitted per Michigan State University’s Police Department’s information, Ingham County Prosecutor Carol Siemon told The State News in an email.

As required under Title IX rules, MSU notified the plaintiff and began investigating. According to the suit, however, the grievance process hasn’t been completed, nor has the case been submitted to those responsible for the final decision. 

The court denied the unnamed player's request to proceed anonymously. Judge Hala Y. Jarbou directed him to file an amended complaint in his full name by Oct. 21. The player then asked for an extension to file his amended complaint while waiting for the results of a Title IX hearing at MSU in mid-November.

According to court documents, the player's request for an extension did not address the Court's concerns for necessary open judicial proceedings. The request was, therefore, denied.

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