The University of Hawaii at Manoa is among the 55 colleges being investigated by the U.S. Department of Education for potentially mishandling sex abuse complaints on campus.

The education department made the list of 55 schools public for the first time today, the Associated Press reports. The schools, ranging from Harvard to Ohio State, are only under review; their appearance on the list doesn’t necessarily mean they’re at fault. 

The department is looking into complaints alleging that the colleges violated Title IX, which prohibits gender discrimination at schools that receive federal funds. The provision is also being used in sexual violence cases.

The list’s publication comes just two days after the White House released guidelines meant to ensure universities are doing their part to combat sex abuse on campus.

Some estimates suggest that one in five female college students is assaulted, and schools have come under fire for mistreating rape victims and sweeping the incidents under the rug. 

The federal government can withhold funding from schools that don’t comply with Title IX. 

Photo: UH Manoa campus. (Courtesy of InSapphoWeTrust via Flickr)

— Alia Wong

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