Doe v. Baylor Univ.
Opinion
ROBERT PITMAN, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Each of the four plaintiffs in this case allege that while they were students at Baylor University they were sexually assaulted by another student, but when they sought assistance and protection from Baylor, the school did nothing (or almost nothing) in response to their reports. Plaintiffs allege that Baylor's failure to promptly and appropriately investigate and respond to student sexual assaults substantially increased the risk of sexual assault for Plaintiffs and for all female students at Baylor. They further allege that Baylor's own policies and selective conduct code enforcement created a discriminatory environment for female students that fostered sexual harassment and sexual assault and denied educational opportunities to Plaintiffs and other female students. Plaintiffs seek to hold Baylor liable under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 ("Title IX"). Title IX provides that "[n]o person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."
Baylor moves to dismiss each Plaintiffs' claims. (Dkts. 20, 21, 22, 23). Baylor attempts to disclaim liability by arguing that Plaintiffs' alleged assaults were outside of their control, (Def.'s Mot. Dismiss Doe 12, Dkt. 20, at 6), that Baylor's investigations were not "clearly unreasonable," (id. at 12), and that Baylor's written policy prohibiting sex discrimination protects the university from certain claims under Title IX, (id. at 8). The Court disagrees.
At this stage of litigation, the Court considers only whether Plaintiffs' Complaint contains sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face. Among their claims, Plaintiffs allege that Baylor discouraged them from reporting their assaults, failed to adequately investigate each of the assaults, misled and lied to Plaintiffs about their options for reporting and accommodations, and obstructed Plaintiffs' access to medical and mental health treatment. They also allege that these practices chilled other students from reporting sexual harassment. Plaintiffs assert that Baylor's practices in handling their reports reflect the school's widespread practice of mishandling reports of peer sexual assault. They allege that Baylor and its highest officers permitted the creation of a campus environment "rife with sexual assault," (Am. Compl., Dkt. 14, at ¶ 23), that "substantially increased Plaintiffs' chances of being sexually assaulted," (id. at 1), and ultimately created a hostile educational environment that deprived Plaintiffs of a normal college education, educational opportunities, and future earning capacity, (id. at 45-46).
What Plaintiffs allege-a widespread pattern of discriminatory responses to female students' reports of sexual assault permitted by high-ranking, policy-setting *769Baylor officials-presents a serious and plausible claim to relief under Title IX. Even those Supreme Court justices who expressed skepticism regarding holding institutions liable under Title IX for sexual assaults of individual students have suggested that "a clear pattern of discriminatory enforcement of school rules could raise an inference that the school itself is discriminating." Davis v. Monroe Cty. Bd. Educ. ,
I. STANDARD OF REVIEW
Pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6), a court may dismiss a complaint for "failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted." Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6). "To survive a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, a complaint 'does not need detailed factual allegations,' but must provide the [plaintiffs'] grounds for entitlement to relief-including factual allegations that when assumed to be true 'raise a right to relief above the speculative level.' " Cuvillier v. Taylor ,
II. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
ROBERT PITMAN, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Each of the four plaintiffs in this case allege that while they were students at Baylor University they were sexually assaulted by another student, but when they sought assistance and protection from Baylor, the school did nothing (or almost nothing) in response to their reports. Plaintiffs allege that Baylor's failure to promptly and appropriately investigate and respond to student sexual assaults substantially increased the risk of sexual assault for Plaintiffs and for all female students at Baylor. They further allege that Baylor's own policies and selective conduct code enforcement created a discriminatory environment for female students that fostered sexual harassment and sexual assault and denied educational opportunities to Plaintiffs and other female students. Plaintiffs seek to hold Baylor liable under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 ("Title IX"). Title IX provides that "[n]o person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."
Baylor moves to dismiss each Plaintiffs' claims. (Dkts. 20, 21, 22, 23). Baylor attempts to disclaim liability by arguing that Plaintiffs' alleged assaults were outside of their control, (Def.'s Mot. Dismiss Doe 12, Dkt. 20, at 6), that Baylor's investigations were not "clearly unreasonable," (id. at 12), and that Baylor's written policy prohibiting sex discrimination protects the university from certain claims under Title IX, (id. at 8). The Court disagrees.
At this stage of litigation, the Court considers only whether Plaintiffs' Complaint contains sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face. Among their claims, Plaintiffs allege that Baylor discouraged them from reporting their assaults, failed to adequately investigate each of the assaults, misled and lied to Plaintiffs about their options for reporting and accommodations, and obstructed Plaintiffs' access to medical and mental health treatment. They also allege that these practices chilled other students from reporting sexual harassment. Plaintiffs assert that Baylor's practices in handling their reports reflect the school's widespread practice of mishandling reports of peer sexual assault. They allege that Baylor and its highest officers permitted the creation of a campus environment "rife with sexual assault," (Am. Compl., Dkt. 14, at ¶ 23), that "substantially increased Plaintiffs' chances of being sexually assaulted," (id. at 1), and ultimately created a hostile educational environment that deprived Plaintiffs of a normal college education, educational opportunities, and future earning capacity, (id. at 45-46).
What Plaintiffs allege-a widespread pattern of discriminatory responses to female students' reports of sexual assault permitted by high-ranking, policy-setting *769Baylor officials-presents a serious and plausible claim to relief under Title IX. Even those Supreme Court justices who expressed skepticism regarding holding institutions liable under Title IX for sexual assaults of individual students have suggested that "a clear pattern of discriminatory enforcement of school rules could raise an inference that the school itself is discriminating." Davis v. Monroe Cty. Bd. Educ. ,
I. STANDARD OF REVIEW
Pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6), a court may dismiss a complaint for "failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted." Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6). "To survive a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, a complaint 'does not need detailed factual allegations,' but must provide the [plaintiffs'] grounds for entitlement to relief-including factual allegations that when assumed to be true 'raise a right to relief above the speculative level.' " Cuvillier v. Taylor ,
II. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
Plaintiffs are four women who were students at Baylor at the time of the events at issue in this lawsuit. (Am. Compl., Dkt. 14, ¶¶ 1-4). Each Plaintiff alleges one or more sexual assaults by fellow Baylor students between 2012 and 2016, including assaults committed by members of the Baylor football team and one member of the Baylor rugby team. (Id. ¶¶ 85, 107-08). Each Plaintiff also alleges that she reported her assault to-and was met with an indifferent and inadequate response from-the Baylor Counseling Center, the Baylor police department, the Title IX office, or another student services office. (Id. ¶¶ 54, 80, 86, 96, 110, 140-43). Plaintiffs allege that "high-level, policy-setting" Baylor employees and officials "did not cause any change in the sexually hostile environment at the University" even after receiving numerous, detailed reports of sexual assault. (Id. ¶ 38-39). Instead, Plaintiffs allege that Baylor discouraged them from reporting their assaults, (id. ¶¶ 55-57, 81, 111, 180), failed to adequately investigate each of the assaults, (id. ¶¶ 31-32), misled and lied to Plaintiffs about their options for reporting and accommodations, (id. ¶ 40), and obstructed Plaintiffs' access to medical and mental health treatment, (id. ¶¶ 44, 61-62, 81, 88, 158-61). Plaintiffs allege that Baylor's actions caused Plaintiffs profound psychological damage and distress and negatively affected their future relationships. (Id. ¶¶ 43-44).
Plaintiffs assert that Baylor's practices in handling their reports reflect the school's widespread practice of mishandling reports of peer sexual assault. They allege that Baylor permitted the creation of a campus condition "rife with sexual assault," (id. ¶ 23), that "substantially increased Plaintiffs' chances of being sexually assaulted," (id. at 1), chilled student reporting of sexual assault and harassment, *770(id. ¶ 36), and ultimately created a hostile educational environment that deprived Plaintiffs of a normal college education, educational opportunities, and future earning capabilities, (id. ¶¶ 45-46).
Specifically, each Plaintiff makes the following individual allegations:
Jane Doe 12 (or "Doe 12"), who enrolled at Baylor in 2014, alleges she was raped by another Baylor student in March 2016. (Id. ¶¶ 50, 69). She first reported to a friend shortly after the assault and then reported the assault to a professor approximately two weeks later. (Id. ¶¶ 51-52). After her professor reported the assault to the department head, "ultimately an email was sent informing Title IX." (Id. ¶¶ 52-53). She alleges that when she met with Baylor's Title IX office, the office staff misinformed her and concealed information about additional reporting options, accommodations available under Title IX, and the availability of investigatory actions that could be undertaken by the university. (Id. ¶¶ 54-56, 75). The office staff advised her that "reporting to the police would mean a 5 year investigation," which "could possibly derail per plans to study abroad," and that "if her assailant graduated prior to the conclusion of a police investigation, the University would not be able to punish him." (Id. ¶ 56). As a result, Jane Doe 12 "chose to go through Title IX only" and did not file a police report. (Id. ¶ 57). After she made this choice, her assigned Title IX investigator went on vacation, and her case went "untouched" for a week even after she contacted the office multiple times. (Id. ¶ 58). Jane Doe 12 requested academic support and counseling through the Title IX office. (Id. ¶ 60). For several months following her assault, she experienced panic attacks and anxiety and was unable to be by herself. (Id. ¶ 59). She attempted to avoid her assailant, but fear of running into him caused her anxiety in public at all times. (Id. ). The Title IX office referred her to "an outside counselor that did not take her insurance." (Id. ¶ 61). When she explained this, the Title IX office did not offer alternatives, and instead encouraged her "to keep the appointment to see 'if it worked out.' " (Id. ). Jane Doe 12 could not afford the appointment and "had no choice but to cancel." (Id. ). Baylor's Title IX office did not refer her to the Advocacy Center, which offered free counseling. (Id. ¶ 62). The Title IX office also communicated inaccurate information to her professors, which required Jane Doe 12 to meet with professors to explain her situation, causing embarrassment. (Id. ¶ 63). Before the assault, Jane Doe 12 was on the Dean's List and received academic scholarships. (Id. ¶ 65, 48). After the assault, she failed courses, received "incompletes" on her transcript, had to retake courses, and became ineligible to study abroad. (Id. ¶ 66). Her GPA dropped substantially. (Id. ¶ 60). She was required to delay her graduation and lost her academic scholarship. (Id. ¶ 66). This also increased her financial burden. (Id. ¶ 73). She successfully appealed the termination of her academic scholarship, but Baylor allowed her just one semester to improve her GPA in order to retain it. (Id. ¶ 74). When Jane Doe 12 informed Baylor's Title IX office of her struggles, they encouraged her to "move on, push through, and to get over it." (Id. ¶ 67). The Title IX office conducted an investigation and found Jane Doe 12's assailant responsible for sexual assault but "no meaningful action was taken." (Id. ¶ 67). The sole consequence for her assailant was a no-contact order for the duration of his time at Baylor. (Id. ). When Jane Doe 12 appealed their decision, Baylor suspended her for three months. (Id. ¶ 70). Jane Doe 12 alleges that Baylor's lack of knowledgeable staff and inadequate Title IX office substantially impaired her higher education experience and severely impaired *771her physical and mental health. (Id. ¶ 76).
Jane Doe 13 (or "Doe 13"), who enrolled in Fall 2011, alleges she was sexually assaulted three times while she was a student at Baylor. (Id. ¶¶ 78, 84, 96). She was first assaulted by another Baylor student in April 2012. (Id. ¶¶ 78-79). She reported the assault to Baylor's Counseling Center in Fall 2012. (Id. ¶ 80). She alleges that the Baylor counselor she met with misinformed her and concealed information about additional reporting options, accommodations available under Title IX, and the availability of investigatory actions that could be undertaken by the university. (Id. ¶ 81). Baylor staff placed Jane Doe 13 in group counseling sessions "where discussions of retaliation against reporters of sexual harassment were common." (Id. ¶ 82). The Baylor counselor present failed to "correct these narratives," causing Jane Doe 13 "to fear further reporting her assault." (Id. ). In the Fall of 2012, Jane Doe 13 was sexually assaulted a second time. (Id. ¶ 84).
The second assailant was a member of the Baylor rugby team. (Id. ¶ 85). She reported this to her counselor at the Baylor Counseling Center. (Id. ¶ 86). She alleges that Baylor staff again "manipulated [her] into not pursuing her rights." (Id. ¶ 77). She experienced heavy anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder ("PTSD"). (Id. ¶¶ 91, 93). She was subject to repeated on-campus encounters with her assailants and experienced panic attacks each time. (Id. ¶ 87). She struggled with classes. (Id. ¶ 91). The Baylor Counseling Center was often "too busy" and did not have time available for her. (Id. ¶ 88). When the Center turned her away, "she would breakdown crying," and on one occasion "a nurse found her in tears unable to move." (Id. ). Instead of receiving help with accommodations from the Title IX office, Jane Doe 13 sought academic accommodations on her own. (Id. ¶ 89). When she sought help from the Office of Access and Learning Accommodation, they requested academic accommodations for Jane Doe 13 by writing to her professors that she had "mental issues." (Id. ). Jane Doe 13 "struggled in her course work," failed one class, and had to pay to take it a second time. (Id. ¶ 77). Her GPA fell "almost a point." (Id. ¶ 95).
Jane Doe 13 was sexually assaulted a third time when, "[d]espite reporting the second assault and her concerns regarding Assailant 16," Baylor permitted him "to follow her on a study abroad program" hosted by Baylor.1 (Id. ¶ 96). Jane Doe 13 alleges that Baylor's failure to respond to sexual assaults fostered an environment that led to her assaults. (Id. ¶ 102). Before her assaults, Jane Doe 13 received several scholarships and was scheduled to graduate with a master's degree. (Id. ¶¶ 77, 99). Since her assaults, Jane Doe 13 has experienced "great mental distress" that interferes with her daily routine, lost eligibility for certain scholarships, and had to delay her graduation. (Id. ¶¶ 98-99). Jane Doe 13 *772alleges that Baylor's actions and inactions have caused her severe physical and mental health impairments that continue today. (Id. ¶ 102). She alleges that Baylor's lack of knowledgeable staff and the "non-existence" of a Title IX office substantially impaired her higher education experience and severely impaired her physical and mental health. (Id. ¶ 103).
Jane Doe 14 (or "Doe 14"), who enrolled at Baylor in Fall 2014, alleges she was sexually assaulted by two members of the Baylor football team in April 2016, at student housing owned by Baylor. (Id. ¶¶ 106-09). She reported the assaults to Baylor's Counseling Center, the Baylor Police Department, and the Title IX office. (Id. ¶ 110). She alleges that Baylor staff misled her about additional reporting options, accommodations available under Title IX, and the availability of investigatory actions that could be undertaken by the university. (Id. ¶ 111). She alleges that Baylor staff "manipulated [her] into not pursuing her rights." (Id. ¶ 112). When Jane Doe 14 explained her assault and requested academic accommodations from a professor, the professor "declined accommodations and told her that despite bad things happening, life still goes on." (Id. ¶ 113). After her assault, Jane Doe 14 was placed on academic probation and then advised that "she had to go to another institution of higher education before she would be allowed to continue her course of study at Baylor." (Id. ¶¶ 114, 117). Jane Doe 14 took classes elsewhere, but when she attempted to re-enroll, she found that Baylor Judicial Affairs had placed a hold on her account. (Id. ¶¶ 118, 121). She alleges that Baylor's stated reason for the hold-certain text messages she allegedly sent while she was not enrolled at Baylor-was pretextual, and that Baylor's real reason was to retaliate for reporting her sexual assault. (Id. ¶¶ 119-20, 124). Baylor allowed Jane Doe 14 to re-enroll, but has since charged her with misconduct under the university Code of Conduct. (Id. ¶¶ 128, 130). Since the assault, Jane Doe 14's academic performance has "significantly declined." (Id. ¶ 133). Jane Doe 14 remains "obligated on substantial student debt with little academic credit to show for it," (Id. ¶ 115), and she "continues to struggle mentally and physically." (Id. ¶ 132).
Jane Doe 15 (or "Doe 15"), who enrolled at Baylor in August 2014, alleges she was sexually assaulted by another student in February 2016. (Id. ¶¶ 134, 136). After the assault, she went to a local hospital, which completed a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner ("SANE") exam. (Id. ¶ 137). Jane Doe 15 reported the assault to the Waco Police Department. (Id. ¶ 138). Three professors visited her, and one reported the assault to the Title IX office. (Id. ¶ 139). The day after the assault, Jane Doe 15 reported to the Baylor Police Department. (Id. ¶ 140). Jane Doe 15's parents also contacted the Baylor Police Department and the Baylor Chaplain, requesting assistance. (Id. ¶ 140). Jane Doe 15's father contacted then-Baylor President Kenneth Star. (Id. ¶ 141). The Title IX office reassured Jane Doe 15 that she would receive assistance with academic accommodations, counseling, relocation, and a protective order. (Id. ¶ 142). Jane Doe 15 was then repeatedly referred to Baylor staff who did not provide assistance. The Title IX office referred her to a chaplain to assist with housing, but he did not respond to repeated attempts to reach him. (Id. ¶¶ 144-45). She was referred to the Vice President for Student Life, Martha Lou Scott, who told Jane Doe 15 that her office could not do anything to help and "told her that she should take advantage of having her mom in town." (Id. ¶ 143). Baylor staff also told Jane Doe 15 that her assailant would be suspended and that he would be arrested if he attempted to come to campus. (Id. ¶ 148). But when her assailant returned to campus, Baylor staff did not have him *773arrested and they did not warn Jane Doe 15 that he had returned to campus. (Id. ¶¶ 149-50). Baylor conducted an investigation and found her assailant responsible, but failed to inform Jane Doe 15 of the adjudication in a timely manner, which caused unnecessary emotional distress. (Id. ¶ 156). The Title IX office informed her that because the case was closed, they would not provide any other assistance to her "academically or otherwise." (Id. ¶ 157). Jane Doe 15 states that by Fall 2016, she was "left to navigate accommodations, protective orders and housing on her own." (Id. ¶ 147). Jane Doe 15 was harassed by other Baylor students and subjected to student retaliation, but Baylor took no steps to help her even after she informed them of the continued harassment. (Id. ¶¶ 152-54). She sought counseling from the Baylor Counseling Center, but was charged for her sessions after exhausting the seven free sessions allotted to her, until her mother intervened. (Id. ¶ 158). "At no point" did any Baylor staff refer her to the Advocacy Center, which offered free counseling. (Id. ¶ 159). Instead, the Baylor Counseling Center often advised Jane Doe 15 that they were "too busy" to schedule appointments, and her assigned counselor "often cancelled appointments without rescheduling." (Id. ¶¶ 160-61). For several months following the assault, Jane Doe 15 was "unable to be by herself" and experienced panic attacks and anxiety. (Id. ¶ 167). After her counselor, Patty Crawford, resigned from her role at Baylor in Fall 2016, Jane Doe 15 was "unable to cope and suicidal." (Id. ¶ 163). When Jane Doe 15 informed Baylor's Title IX office of her struggles, they encouraged her to "move on, push through, and to get over it." (Id. ¶ 168). Although Jane Doe 15 held academic scholarships prior to her assault, her experience since the assault has required her to delay graduation. (Id. ¶¶ 135, 164). Since her assault, Jane Doe 15 has experienced great mental distress that interferes with her daily routine and has hindered her ability to find work post-graduation. (Id. ¶ 170). Jane Doe 15 alleges that Baylor's actions and inactions have caused her severe physical and mental health impairments that continue today. (Id. ¶ 172). She alleges that Baylor's lack of knowledgeable staff and the "non-existence" of a Title IX office substantially impaired her higher education experience and severely impaired her physical and mental health. (Id. ¶ 173).
In addition to the specific facts alleged above, Plaintiffs note that Baylor did not have a full-time Title IX coordinator until November 2014. (Id. ¶ 42). Moreover, despite the assaults reported to Baylor by Plaintiffs and others, Baylor claimed to the U.S. Department of Education that zero incidents of sexual assault took place on its campus between 2008 and 2011.2 (Id. ¶ 35).
III. TITLE IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in all federally-funded educational programs.
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under *774any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
Title IX is enforceable through an individual's private right of action and allows for the recovery of damages. Davis ,
The first avenue for claims under Title IX is based on institution's official policy of intentional discrimination.3 See Franklin ,
*7754 See, e.g. , Pederson v. La. State Univ. ,
The second avenue for Title IX claims is typically used for claims of sexual harassment or assault. The Supreme Court has held that sexual harassment within a school or school program is a form of sex discrimination when the harassment is "so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive" that it deprives the victim of educational opportunities or benefits provided by the school. Davis ,
It is with these two avenues in mind that the Court now turns to consider Plaintiffs' claims. First, Plaintiffs here allege what might be considered a "traditional" claim for sexual assault under Title IX. They each argue that they were sexually assaulted by a peer at Baylor, that they reported their assault to the university, and that Baylor's deliberately indifferent response to each of their reports deprived them of educational opportunities and benefits provided by the school. The Court will refer to these as Plaintiffs' "post-reporting claims."
Second, Plaintiffs allege that even before their initial reports of sexual assault, Baylor's discriminatory practices in handling reports of sexual assault-discouraging victims from reporting their assaults and failing to investigate their claims or punish their assailants-constituted a policy of intentional discrimination that substantially increased Plaintiffs' risk of being sexually assaulted. The Court will refer to these as Plaintiffs' "heightened-risk claims."
Baylor moves to dismiss all of Plaintiffs' Title IX claims. The Court will first address whether Plaintiffs have plausibly alleged each of these claims and then consider whether any plausibly alleged claim is barred by the applicable statute of limitations.
A. Post-Reporting Sexual Harassment or Assault
Each Plaintiff alleges that Baylor was deliberately indifferent to her reports of sexual assault, thereby causing her further sexual assault or harassment or creating a hostile educational environment. As the Court previously explained, under Title IX, a school "may be liable for failing to address student-on-student sexual harassment 'only where [the school is] deliberately *776indifferent to ... harassment, of which [it has] actual knowledge, that is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it can be said to deprive the victims of access to the educational opportunities or benefits provided by the school.' " Estate of Lance v. Lewisville Indep. Sch. Dist. ,
Baylor makes three primary arguments that Plaintiffs' allegations are insufficient to state a claim for liability. First, Baylor argues that Plaintiffs' post-reporting claims fail as a matter of law because Baylor's investigations were prompt and responsive. (See Def.'s Mot. Dismiss Doe 12, Dkt. 20, at 12-15; Def.'s Mot. Dismiss Doe 14, Dkt. 22, at 13-15; Def.'s Mot. Dismiss Doe 15, Dkt. 23, at 13-15). Baylor argues that the university's response was not "clearly unreasonable." Davis ,
*777Next, Baylor argues that the university was not required to deliver any particular accommodation or remedy for Plaintiffs after they reported their assaults. (Def.'s Mot. Dismiss Doe 12, Dkt. 20, at 15; Def.'s Mot. Dismiss Doe 14, Dkt. 22, at 15; Def.'s Mot. Dismiss Doe 15, Dkt. 23, at 17). Baylor's analogy of Plaintiffs' claims to "demanding a new desk assignment" profoundly understates the seriousness of Plaintiffs' claims. (Def.'s Mot. Dismiss Doe 12, Dkt. 20, at 16; Def.'s Mot. Dismiss Doe 14, Dkt. 22, at 14; Def.'s Mot. Dismiss Doe 15, Dkt. 23, at 16). Plaintiffs argue that Baylor's actions and inactions after they reported their assaults denied Plaintiffs the benefits of, and subjected them to discrimination in their education at Baylor on the basis of their sex. (Am. Compl., Dkt. 14, at ¶ 177). Specifically, Plaintiffs allege that even after receiving detailed, numerous reports of sexual assault, "high-level, policy-setting" Baylor employees and officials "did not cause any change in the sexually hostile environment at the University." (Id. ¶¶ 38-39). Instead, Plaintiffs allege that Baylor discouraged them from reporting their assaults, (id. , at ¶¶ 55-57, 81, 111, 180), failed to adequately investigate each of the assaults, (id. ¶¶ 31-32), misled and lied to Plaintiffs about their options for reporting and accommodations, (id. ¶ 40), and obstructed Plaintiffs' access to medical and mental health treatment, (id. ¶¶ 44, 61-62, 81, 88, 158-61). Taken together, Plaintiffs allege, these facts demonstrate that Baylor created a hostile educational environment that deprived Plaintiffs of a normal college education, educational opportunities, and future earning capabilities, (id. ¶¶ 45-46). Baylor attempts to dismiss these allegations as a list of "remedial demands." (Def.'s Mot. Dismiss Doe 12, Dkt. 20, at 16 (citing Davis ,
Finally, Baylor argues that Plaintiffs failed to plausibly allege they were subjected to "further" harassment after reporting their initial sexual assault(s), especially for those Plaintiffs who do not allege that specific instances of assault or *778harassment took place after they reported their initial assault(s).6 (Def.'s Mot. Dismiss Doe 12, Dkt. 20, at 15; Def.'s Mot. Dismiss Doe 14, Dkt. 22, at 15; Def.'s Mot. Dismiss Doe 15, Dkt. 23, at 17). While allegations of further assault or harassment are necessary for a claim under Title IX, the Supreme Court has made clear that to "subject" a student to harassment a school need only make the student vulnerable to that harassment. Davis ,
For example, in Williams v. Bd. of Regents of Univ. Sys. of Ga. ,
In light of its general rejection of Baylor's arguments, the Court finds that each Plaintiff in the instant case has plausibly alleged that Baylor was deliberately indifferent to her report(s) of sexual assault, depriving her of educational opportunities to which she was entitled. First, each Plaintiff plausibly alleges that while she was at Baylor, she was sexually assaulted by another student. (Am. Compl., Dkt. 14., ¶¶ 50, 68, 78-79, 84-85, 96, 136). Second, each Plaintiff alleges she reported her assault or assaults to the Baylor counseling center, the Baylor police department, the Title IX office, or another student services office. (Id. ¶¶ 54, 80, 86, 96, 110, 140-43). Third, each Plaintiff alleges that Baylor *779did nothing (or almost nothing) in response to the reports of sexual assault. (Id. ¶¶ 60-63, 68-72, 87-90, 92, 113-14, 143-51, 153-57, 159-61, 168-69). Each Plaintiff also alleges that "high-level, policy-setting" Baylor employees and officials received detailed, numerous reports of sexual assault, but still "did not cause any change in the sexually hostile environment at the University." (Id. ¶¶ 38-39). Instead, each Plaintiff alleges Baylor discouraged her from reporting her assault(s), (id. ¶¶ 55-57, 81, 111, 180), misled and lied to Plaintiffs about their options for reporting and accommodations, (id. ¶¶ 40, 75, 81, 111, 146-49), and obstructed Plaintiffs' access to medical and mental health treatment, (id. ¶¶ 44, 61-62, 81, 88, 158-61). Each Plaintiff also alleges that Baylor failed to adequately investigate each of the assaults, and failed to take steps to ensure she would not be subject to continuing assault and harassment. (Id. ¶¶ 31-32, 59, 68-70, 81, 84, 96, 111-12, 147-56). Finally, each Plaintiff alleges concrete harms caused by Baylor's inadequate response, such as a decline in grades, the loss of scholarships, delayed graduation, severe anxiety, or depression. (Id. ¶¶ 43-46, 59, 64-66, 73-74, 87-88, 91, 93-95, 97-99, 102, 114, 117, 132-33, 151, 154, 163-65, 167, 170, 172).
B. Heightened Risk of Sexual Harassment or Assault
Plaintiffs also claim that Baylor's handling of reports of sexual assaults created a heightened risk of sexual assault throughout the university's student body. Plaintiffs allege Baylor knew of and permitted a "campus condition rife with sexual assault," (Am. Compl., Dkt. 14, ¶ 23); that sexual assault was "rampant" on Baylor's campus, (id. ¶ 21); and that "high-level, policy-setting" Baylor employees and officials "did not cause any change in the sexually hostile environment at the University" even after receiving detailed, numerous reports of sexual assault, (td. ¶¶ 38-39). Plaintiffs allege that Baylor's failure to properly investigate sexual assaults chilled reporting and "substantially increased" the risk that Plaintiffs and others would be sexually assaulted. (Id. at 1; ¶ 36). Further, they allege that Baylor engaged in "a pattern and practice of behavior designed to discourage and dissuade students ... who had been sexually assaulted from seeking prosecution and protection." (Id. ¶ 180). They assert that "this policy ... constituted disparate treatment of females and had a disparate impact on female students." (Id. ¶ 181).
The Supreme Court has repeatedly explained that where the Title IX violation in question is caused by an institution's discriminatory policy or custom, courts need not apply the actual notice and deliberate indifference framework typically used in cases involving institutional liability for sexual harassment or assault. See Gebser ,
In evaluating such claims, courts must consider whether the defendant-institution's policy or custom inflicted the alleged injury. See Gebser ,
The Court remains sensitive to concerns that application of the official policy rubric to claims involving a school-wide risk of sexual assault may be taken to imply that higher education institutions, due to the prevalence of sexual assault among college-aged individuals, would face near-constant liability. It is an unfortunate truth that one could "anticipate that the very operation of a school would be accompanied by sexual harassment." Simpson ,
Baylor makes several arguments that Plaintiffs' allegations are insufficient to state a claim under this framework. First, Baylor argues that Plaintiffs have not alleged facts to show that Baylor had substantial control over the alleged assailants at the time of the alleged assaults.7 Under Title IX, "[i]f a funding recipient does not engage in harassment directly, it may not be liable for damages unless its deliberate indifference 'subject[s]' its students to harassment." Davis ,
Further, the Court agrees with Plaintiffs that nothing in Davis requires an alleged assault to occur on campus in order for a defendant university to have "substantial control." (See Pl.'s Resp. Doe 12, Dkt. 25, at 9 n. 3). Davis stated: "Where misconduct occurs during school hours and on school grounds ... the misconduct is taking place "under" an "operation" of the funding recipient," and "[i]n these circumstances, the recipient retains substantial control over the context in which the harassment occurs." Davis ,
Next, Baylor argues that universities are only liable for an "official policy" in the form of "a formal institutional decision ... such as an admissions policy or [funding decision]." (See Def.'s Mot. Dismiss Doe 12, Dkt. 20, at 8). However, Baylor relies on Fifth Circuit authority that reaches no such conclusion. (See
Baylor contends that its written 2015-2016 Title IX policy, and "not employee violations of the policy," constituted Baylor's official policy at the time of the alleged assaults. (Def.'s Mot. Dismiss Doe 12, Dkt. 20, at 8; Def.'s Mot. Dismiss Doe 14, Dkt. 22, at 7-10; Def.'s Mot. Dismiss Doe 15, Dkt. 23, at 8-9). Baylor asserts that finding liability based on "employee violations of the policy" would improperly allow liability for informal "custom," contrary to the language of Title IX. The Court rejects this argument for three reasons. First, this Court does not evaluate the plausibility of Plaintiff's claims based on "employee violations" of Baylor's written policy. The Supreme Court has considered and rejected respondeat superior liability for sexual harassment claims under Title IX. Simpson ,
Plaintiffs allege that Baylor, "its staff, and highest officers," (Am. Compl., Dkt. 14, at ¶ 23), with knowledge of numerous and detailed reports of sexual assault, (id. ¶ 38), "maintained a set of policies, procedures, and customs ... that were implemented in a sexually discriminatory manner," (id. ¶ 175), and "permitted a campus condition rife with sexual assault," (id. ¶ 23), that "substantially increased Plaintiffs' chances of being sexually assaulted," (id. at 1). Specifically, Plaintiffs allege that Baylor and its staff discouraged them from reporting her assault(s), (id. ¶¶ 55-57, 81, *783111, 180), misled and lied to Plaintiffs about their options for reporting and accommodations under Title IX, (id. ¶¶ 40, 75, 81, 83, 111, 146-49), failed to adequately investigate reported sexual assaults, (id. ¶¶ 31-32, 68, 70, 83, 111-12, 147-48, 154-57, 180), and failed to take steps to ensure that students who did report would not be subjected to continuing assault and harassment, (id. ¶¶ 59, 68-70, 81, 84, 96, 111-12, 147-56). Additionally, despite being informed of multiple sexual assaults between 2008 and 2011, Baylor reported to the U.S. Department of Education that no such assaults took place on its campus during that period. (Id. ¶ 35). These alleged facts, construed as true, "raise a right to relief above the speculative level" that Baylor's policy or custom of inadequately handling and even discouraging reports of peer sexual assault constituted an official policy of discrimination that created a heightened risk of sexual assault, thereby inflicting the injury of which Plaintiffs complain.10 See Cuvillier ,
IV. STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
Having determined that Plaintiffs have adequately pleaded claims under Title IX, the Court will now consider whether any of Plaintiffs' claims are foreclosed by the applicable statute of limitations. "A motion to dismiss may be granted on a statute of limitations defense where it is evident from the pleadings that the action is time-barred, and the pleadings fail to raise some basis for tolling." Taylor v. Bailey Tool Mfg. Co. ,
"Absent tolling, the limitations period runs from the moment a plaintiff's claim 'accrues,' " and while the limitations period is borrowed from state law, "the particular accrual date of a federal cause of action is a matter of federal law." King-White ,
With respect to Plaintiffs' heightened-risk claims, see infra Section III(B), Plaintiffs were aware of their injuries from the time the assaults occurred. Jane Doe 12, Jane Doe 14, and Jane Doe 15 each allege that they were sexually assaulted by another student at Baylor in 2016. (Am. Compl., Dkt. 14, ¶¶ 50, 106, 136). Jane Doe 13 alleges that she that she was sexually assaulted three times-in April 2012, in Fall 2012, and during a study abroad program at some time before November 2014.11 (Id. ¶¶ 78, 84, 96). Baylor moves to dismiss Jane Doe 13's claims as time-barred under the two-year statute of limitations. (Def.'s Mot. Dismiss Doe 13, Dkt. 21, at 11-18). However, Jane Doe 13 contends she "had no notice of the Baylor's policies, procedures and customs that created the heightened risk environment until at least the [Pepper Hamilton Findings of Fact] were released." (Resp. Doe 13, Dkt. 26, at 12). Considering the same question in Jane Doe 1, et al. v. Baylor Univ. , this Court found it plausible that the plaintiffs in that case had no reason to further investigate their heightened-risk claims until the release of Baylor's Findings of Fact and the subsequent media coverage in 2016. Doe 1 ,
With respect to Plaintiffs' post-reporting claims, see infra Section III(A), the Court finds that Jane Doe 13's claims are time-barred, but all other Plaintiffs have filed their claim within the statute of limitations. All Plaintiffs allege they reported their sexual assault to Baylor personnel and that Baylor failed to adequately assist them, sometimes discouraging them from seeking further assistance. Because of this deliberately indifferent response, Plaintiffs allege, they were subjected to further harassment or assault or were otherwise deprived of educational opportunities to which they were entitled. Within some reasonable amount of time after their initial reports, Plaintiffs would have understood that Baylor's deliberate indifference to their reports was the cause of those post-reporting injuries or could reasonably have been expected to "inquire further." See King-White ,
Based on this understanding, the post-reporting claims of Does 12, 14, and 15 all *785fall within the two-year statute of limitations window because each of the initial assaults or reports occurred within two years of the filing of their claim.12
However, the post-reporting claims of Jane Doe 13 fall outside the statute of limitations. She alleges that she was sexually assaulted by another student three times while she was a student at Baylor: in April 2012, in Fall 2012, and during a study abroad program at some time before November 2014.13 (Am. Compl., Dkt. 14. ¶¶ 78, 84, 96). She alleges that she reported the first assault to the Baylor Counseling Center in Fall 2012, and the second assault to her counselor at the Counseling Center. (Id. ¶¶ 80, 86). She also reported one or more assaults to a professor in 2014. (Id. ¶ 91). Plaintiff does not state in the complaint whether she reported her third assault. (See id. ¶ 96). However, Plaintiff's claim did not accrue until she was aware or had reason to know of Baylor's deliberately indifferent response to these reports. It is unclear from the face of the Complaint when this would have occurred. While it may have occurred in Fall 2012 following her first report, depending on the content and timing of her communications with Baylor, it is also possible that her claim did not accrue until later. However, even considering the latest date plausible on the face of the Complaint-when she reported to her professor in 2014 and became aware that she received a deliberately indifferent response-Jane Doe 13's post-reporting claim must have accrued at some time in 2014 or early 2015. Even allowing for an accrual of her claim in early 2015, the very latest plausible date, her two-year statute of limitations would have run by early 2017, before this case was filed on September 1, 2017. (See Compl., Dkt. 1).
Plaintiffs incorporate their arguments regarding tolling and the continuing violation doctrine from their submissions in Jane Doe 1, et al. v. Baylor University , Cause No. 6:16-cv-173. (See Resp. Doe 13, Dkt. 26, at 14). There, Plaintiffs argued the Court should toll the statute of limitations or apply the continuing violation doctrine to these claims.14 However, the Court reaches the same conclusion in this case that neither tolling nor the continuing violation doctrine is applicable to Jane Doe 13's claims. First, tolling is unavailable to Plaintiffs under Texas law. Jane Doe 13 cannot take advantage of Texas' discovery rule because she have provided no explanation as to her their injuries were "inherently undiscoverable." See King-White ,
Second, the continuing violation doctrine cannot extend the post-reporting claims of Jane Doe 13 because she has not pleaded facts to demonstrate any subsequent acts by Baylor which might extend the limitations period. See, e.g. , Messer v. Meno ,
*786("The continuing violation theory relieves a plaintiff of establishing that all of the complained-of conduct occurred within the actionable period if the plaintiff can show a series of related acts, one or more of which falls within the limitations period."). Jane Doe 13 states that she has delayed graduation "for a full year," and "was set to graduate with her Masters in August of [2017]."15 (Am. Compl., Dkt. 14, at ¶¶ 98-99). However, Jane Doe 13 does not allege facts indicating whether she remains enrolled at Baylor or was forced to leave. The latest date she specifies in the Amended Complaint is the report to her professor at some time in 2014. Without any facts for the Court to consider, the Court cannot find that a series of related acts extended the limitations period. Thus, even if the Court were to decide that the continuing violation doctrine applied16 and that the doctrine extended Baylor's violation to the furthest imaginable reach, such as the date when a plaintiff left Baylor,17 Jane Doe 13 has alleged no facts for the Court to make that determination. Accordingly, the Court must dismiss her post-reporting claims as time-barred.
V. STATE LAW CLAIMS
In addition to their claims under Title IX, Plaintiffs also allege claims under Texas law for negligence and breach of contract. With the exception of two additional duties alleged, (see Am. Compl., Dkt. 14, ¶ 185(s)-(t) ), Plaintiffs' submissions are identical to the state law claims that this Court dismissed for failure to state a claim in Jane Doe 1, et al. v. Baylor University ,
A. Negligence Claims
Plaintiffs allege that Baylor "owed Plaintiff[s] a duty of reasonable care" and that it "breached these duties in multiple ways." (Am. Compl., Dkt. 14, ¶¶ 184-85). Plaintiffs allege Baylor breached numerous duties, which fall into three primary categories: (1) Baylor's duty to protect Plaintiffs from the criminal acts of others to the extent those acts were foreseeable, (2) Baylor's duty to adequately hire, train, and supervise its employees regarding how to properly handle reports of sexual assault, and (3) Baylor's other duties of care. The Court addresses Plaintiffs' theories below.
1. Duty to Protect From Foreseeable Criminal Acts
The Court's jurisdiction over Plaintiffs' state law claims is supplemental to its federal question jurisdiction.
*787Sommers Drug Stores Co. Empl. Profit Sharing Tr. v. Corrigan ,
In Texas negligence law, liability "is premised on duty, a breach of which proximately causes injuries, and damages resulting from that breach." Thapar v. Zezulka ,
Plaintiffs argued in Doe 1 that Baylor had a special relationship with its students because "[o]ne who controls [a] premises ... [has] a duty to use ordinary care to protect invitees from criminal acts of third parties if he knows or has reason to know of an unreasonable and foreseeable risk of harm to the invitee." Lefmark Mgmt. Co. v. Old ,
As this Court explained in Doe 1 , the Texas Supreme Court, while noting that universities may be held liable for negligent failure to protect in some circumstances, has not specifically addressed the special relationship doctrine in the context of students and universities. See generally Delaney v. Univ. of Houston ,
While the Court appreciates Plaintiffs' submissions, the Court is bound to follow state negligence law in evaluating Plaintiffs' claims under the duty-to-protect doctrine. Jane Doe 12 and Jane Doe 15 do not specify the location of their assaults. (Am. Compl., Dkt. 14, ¶¶ 50, 136). Jane Doe 13 only specifies the location of her third *788sexual assault, which took place on a Baylor study abroad program. (Id. ¶¶ 78, 84, 96). Jane Doe 14 alleges that she was assaulted in student housing owned by Baylor. (Id. ¶ 109). While Does 13 and 14 allege they were sexually assaulted on Baylor's campus or in the context of a Baylor-operated program, they have not alleged that Baylor failed to meet its duty to provide them with safe housing, thereby causing their assaults, nor have they provided any other exception to the general rule that a university has no duty to protect its students. As to Jane Doe 12 and Jane Doe 15, a Texas Court of Appeals has already specifically considered and rejected the proposition that universities have a duty to protect adult students from the criminal acts of other students while off-campus. See Boyd ,
2. Duty to Adequately Hire, Train, and Supervise Employees
Next, Plaintiffs argue that Baylor breached its duty, as an employer, to adequately hire, train, and supervise employees. While Plaintiffs are correct that such a duty exists in the general sense, e.g. , Castillo v. Gared, Inc. ,
3. Other Duties
Plaintiffs argue that Baylor breached a number of other alleged duties of reasonable care. For example, they allege Baylor breached a duty of reasonable care by failing to adopt sexual education programs to promote awareness of rape, acquaintance rape, and other sex crimes, and by failing to adopt and enforce procedures for students to follow should they be sexually assaulted. (Am. Compl., Dkt. 14, ¶ 185(j), (l) ). They also argue that Baylor breached a reasonable duty of care by failing to provide meaningful assistance and accommodation for victims of sexual assault, and by failing to ensure student conduct rules were enforced in a way that was not sexually discriminatory. (Id. ¶ 185(s)-(t) ).
While the Court appreciates Plaintiffs' submissions, Plaintiffs have not identified any legal basis for the argument that these actions were required under any standard of reasonable care applicable to Baylor under state law. Cf. Hux ,
B. Breach of Contract
Finally, Plaintiffs also allege they had "valid enforceable contracts with [Baylor] as academic enrollees and also as residents living in on-campus housing," that Baylor breached these contracts by failing to adequately warn Plaintiffs of the risk of sexual assault on campus and by failing to provide an adequately safe living and educational environment, and that Plaintiffs suffered foreseeable damages as a result of these breaches. (Am. Compl., Dkt. 14, ¶¶ 188-91). Baylor responds that Plaintiffs failed to identify an enforceable contract or to identify the specific provisions of the purported contract which were allegedly breached. (Def.'s Mot. Dismiss Doe 12, Dkt. 20, at 19-20; Def.'s Mot. Dismiss Doe 12, Dkt. 21, at 19-20; Def.'s Mot. Dismiss Doe 14, Dkt. 22, at 19-20; Def.'s Mot. Dismiss Doe 15, Dkt. 23, at 20).
The Court agrees that Plaintiffs do not adequately allege breach of contract. "A breach of contract ... only occurs when a party fails or refuses to perform an act that it expressly promised to do." Innova Hosp. San Antonio, L.P. v. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Ga., Inc. ,
V. CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the court hereby ORDERS that Baylor's motions to dismiss, (Dkts. 20, 21, 22, and 23) are GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART , consistent with the terms of this Order. Specifically:
• Baylor's motions to dismiss Plaintiffs' heightened-risk claims are DENIED as to all Plaintiffs.
• Baylor's motions to dismiss Plaintiffs' post-reporting claims are DENIED as to Jane Doe 12, 14, and 15, and GRANTED as to Jane Doe 13.
• Baylor's motions to dismiss Plaintiffs' state-law claims are GRANTED as to all Plaintiffs.
336 F. Supp. 3d 763 (Doe v. Baylor Univ.) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.