Reporting Sexual Misconduct

Referrals can come from students, faculty, staff and other community members.

The Title IX coordinator or a deputy will review the report and will reach out to the complainant involved with supportive measures and offer on/off campus resources.
The complainant is made aware of their available options for response in the incident: police investigation, University resolution, or none.

The complainant has ultimate authority on moving forward on a formal complaint.

If the student chooses to pursue University resolution, a formal investigation is conducted by the title IX coordinator or a deputy to gather all possible information from complainant, respondent and witnesses.

At this point, all parties have the right to an advisor of their choice.

If the investigation findings DO NOT support alleged violations of the sexual misconduct policy, one or more of the following may occur:

• The complaint is dismissed: both the complainant and the respondent are notified.
• The complaint is referred to another department (e.g. Human Resource, Student conduct)

If the investigation findings DO support alleged violations of the sexual misconduct policy, one or more of the following may occur:

• Informal Resolution - Informal resolution is only an option for cases when the respondent is a student and when alleged violations are not sexual assault. Title IX coordinator, complainant and respondent must all agree.

OR

• Formal Resolution -
  • Investigation Review & Pre-hearing Meeting - Title IX coordinator shares the findings of the report with both complainant and respondent, and the hearing administrator will review hearing procedures and decorum with all parties.
  • The Hearing* - The hearing administrator convenes a university hearing board and presents the investigation findings to the board for review.
    During the hearing, all parties have the ability for cross examination. All evidence, cross examinations and statements are reviewed to determine if a preponderance of evidence suggestion any violations occurred and if so, what sanctions should be assigned.
  • Decision & Appeals - The hearing administrator reports the findings of the university hearing board to both the complainant and respondent.
    Either party may appeal the outcome of the hearing, whether the finding of responsibility or any assigned sanctions.
    Any students involved can continue to receive supportive measures regardless of outcomes.

*Additional Hearing Information: The University hearing board is made up of university staff trained on the specific processes to hear sexual misconduct cases. Board members are screened for conflicts of interest with any parties involved. Students may not serve on university hearing boards that consider sexual misconduct cases. All parts of the complaint, investigation, hearing and disciplinary process are confidential records. All students are entitled to have an advisor attend the hearing. If a student does not have someone to serve as an advisor but would like one, the university can provide one.

Advisors are central to Title IX proceedings, helping students maneuver a technically complicated and emotionally challenging process. This guide will help advisors for both respondents and complainants and their advisees move through the process in an
informed way. It covers each stage of the process, from the filing of the complaint to the investigation, hearing, and appeal.

• Download the Advisors Guide