The time frame for the Title IX grievance process will be concluded within a reasonably prompt manner, and no longer than ninety (90) school calendar days after the filing of the formal complaint, understanding that the process may be extended for good reason. Any delays to the process along with reason will be directly communicated to all parties by the Title IX investigator and coordinator. Any student who is going through the process has the right to have a support person present at any meeting. Students may choose their own support person or the University can provide one.
Filing a Formal Complaint: When a formal complaint is filed, the Title IX Coordinator will meet with the complainant to review and better understand what occurred and what allegations are being reported. Once the allegations are determined, the person accused of alleged behavior (also referred to as the respondent) will receive a notice of allegations form the Title IX investigator and start the formal investigation process. a. It is important to know that in certain cases, the Title IX Coordinator may choose to move forward with the investigation even if the complainant wishes not to participate. The complainant will not be forced to participate but will be notified if an investigation will continue or not
Investigations: The investigator will set up interviews with both the complainant and respondent and any witnesses each party wants interviewed. During the interview the investigator will request for each party to provide any relevant evidence to be reviewed which includes, but are not limit to, documents, emails, texts or social media communications. Any relevant and related evidence submitted will be included in the final report. All parties have the right to have a support person present during the investigation interview. Once the investigations are concluded, the investigator will write up a report with all the facts gathered and relevant evidence. Both the complainant and respondent as well as their support persons will receive a copy of the report. Each party will be given 10 days to review the report and respond with any feedback.
Informal Resolution: If appropriate, a complainant who files a formal complaint may elect, at any time, to address the matter through the University’s informal resolution process. All parties to a formal complaint must agree to enter the informal resolution process through an informed written consent. Information about the different options within the informal resolution process will be discussed with the Title IX Coordinator.
Hearing: If a case is not resolved under an informal resolution, it will be taken to a hearing. If a hearing occurs, each party must have a support person who will orally ask questions of the other party and witnesses. If you do not have a support person, the Title IX Coordinator will assist in assigning one to you. There will be pre-hearing meetings with all parties (individually with their support person) with the assigned hearing officer to go over the process and give an overview of how the hearing will go. Once the hearing is concluded, the hearing officer will write up an outcome report explaining if they found the respondent in violation or not and a rationale for their decision. This report will be sent out to both the complainant and respondent and their support people.
Possible Sanctions/Disciplinary Actions: If a respondent is found in violation for alleged behavior, sanctions for them can include loss of privileges, an ongoing no contact order, and/or disciplinary probation. For matters that go to a hearing, suspension and dismissal are also possible sanctions.
Appeals: Each party has the right to an appeal and information on how to go about an appeal will be included in the hearing outcome report. You can submit an appeal if: a. You believe there is a procedural irregularity that affected the outcome of the matter (i.e. a failure to follow institution’s own procedures). b. There is new evidence that was not reasonably available at the time of the hearing, that could affect the outcome of the matter. c. The Title IX Coordinator, investigator(s) or decision-maker(s) had a conflict of interests or bias for or against an individual party, or, for or against complainants in general that affected the outcome of the case. d. The severity of sanctions are not commensurate with violations.
