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Title IX Student Conduct Process

Each case is different and will be handled with care, but here are the typical steps that are followed in a Title IX student conduct process:

  • The deputy Title IX coordinator and the dean of students are notified.

  • The complainant is assigned an administrative support person to assist them in receiving assistance and understanding the process and available resources.

  • The Department of Public Safety investigates the incident and may interview the complainant, the respondent, and any possible witnesses, and may ask for a written statement from the complainant and the respondent.

  • The complainant decides whether they want to make a formal complaint.

  • If a formal complaint is made, the report goes to the deputy Title IX coordinator or the dean of students (or the dean’s designee) who will serve as the hearing officer, and a case should take no more than 60 days from the day the complainant requests that the University’s investigation and student conduct processes commence. If these processes will take longer than 60 days, both the complainant and the respondent will be notified in writing as to the delay and the reason for the delay. Delay can sometimes, but not always, be imposed by complexity of the incident/complaint, holiday closures of the University, breaks in the class schedule, midterm, and final examinations, as well as the need to coordinate multiple parties for interview meetings and hearings.

  • The respondent is assigned an administrative support person to assist them in receiving assistance and understanding the process and available resources.

  • A written notice is sent to both the complainant and the respondent informing them that the student conduct process is underway.

  • Once the conduct process begins, the complainant and the respondent are each entitled to have one advisor of their choice accompany them (but not participate in any way) in the conduct process meetings and proceedings.

  • The complainant and respondent are offered the opportunity to review the case file.

  • The complainant is interviewed by the hearing officer.

  • The respondent is interviewed by the hearing officer, usually during their conduct hearing.

  • Relevant witnesses are interviewed.

  • A second complainant interview is conducted by the hearing officer.

  • A second respondent interview is conducted by the hearing officer, usually during their conduct hearing.

  • Additional interviews are conducted as needed by the hearing officer.

  • A decision as to whether the University’s Code of Conduct, University Regulations, and/or Office of Residential Life policies have been violated is made based on a preponderance of evidence.

  • If violations have been determined to have occurred, appropriate sanctions are issued.

  • Both the complainant and the respondent are entitled to make an impact statement to the hearing officer at the time of sanctioning and, in any case, at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled meeting to provide notification to the complainant and respondent as to the outcome of the conduct process.

  • Written notification of a decision is given simultaneously to both parties.

  • Complainants and respondents are given the opportunity to appeal the decision before a panel.

It should be clearly understood that a complainant of sexual and related misconduct always has legal recourse outside the University. If civil or criminal proceedings are filed, the University reserves the right to conduct its own investigation and proceedings notwithstanding the status or resolution of any civil or criminal proceedings.