Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct FAQs

• Complainant FAQs
• Respondent FAQs
• Responsible Employee FAQs
• Student Investigation Process Overview

 

Helpful Definitions

Complainant

An individual who is reported to have experienced conduct that could constitute Prohibited Conduct, even if they do not participate in any related process.

Respondent

An individual who has been reported to have engaged in conduct that could constittue Prohibited Conduct.

Witness

An individual who may have information relevant to a report of Prohibited Conduct. A witness may be a student, an employee, or a third party.

Prohibited Conduct

Conduct that violates the Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct Policy.

 

Complainant FAQs

What is a complainant?

A complainant is someone who has experienced misconduct.

How can the Civil Rights & Title IX Office help me?

The Civil Rights & Title IX Office can help you:

• Access support and resources - you can request support without having to identify the other person or initiate an investigation.
• File a report for documentation purposes only - the other person will not be notified that a report has been filed about them.
• Issue a No-Contact Directive - the other person will be notified that they are not permitted to contact you in any way.
• File a formal complaint - by filing a formal complaint you can:
  • Request that the College open an investigation
  • Request that the College facilitate an adaptable resolution (including adaptable resolution agreements between parties and other restorative options)
•  Report an incident to law enforcement or other entity (another school, professional licensing board, etc.)

Who will know that I spoke with the Civil Rights & Title IX Office?

The Civil Rights & Title IX Office will only share information about you on a need-to-know basis or with your permission. This may include:

• Working with REHS to facilitate a housing assignment change.
• Working with the Dean of Students Office on academic flexibility.

Can someone come with me to the Civil Rights & Title IX Office?

Yes! You can always have an advisor of choice with you during any meeting. The advisor can be any person - a friend, family member, the College's Survivor Advocate, or even an attorney.

 

Respondent FAQs

What is a respondent?

A respondent is someone who has been accused of misconduct.

What are my rights during an investigation?

During an investigation, both parties have equal rights, including:

• receiving a written notice of the allegations
• having the opportunity to participate in the investigation, including presenting evidence and identifying witnesses
• receiving timely and equal access to information gathered
• receiving timely notice of meetings and hearings
• receiving written notice of the outcome
• having the opportunity to appeal the outcome

Am I innocent until proven guilty?

The decision to open an investigation does not presume that the alleged conduct occurred and you are presumed not responsible, unless and until there is a finding that it is more likely than not you engaged in misconduct.

Can someone come with me to the Civil Rights & Title IX Office?

Yes! You can always have an advisor of choice with you during any meeting. The advisor can be any person - a friend, family member, the College's Survivor Advocate, or even an attorney.

How can the Civil Rights & Title IX Office help me?

The Civil Rights & Title IX Office is here to answer any questions you have about the process and to assist with any supportive measures you may need (including academic flexibility requests or requesting a housing assignment change).

Who will know that I've been accused of misconduct?

Your parents/guardians and professors will not be notified or receive communication from the Civil Rights & Title IX Office. The Civil Rights & Title IX Office will only share information about you on a need-to-know basis or with your permission. This could include:

• Working with REHS to facilitate a housing assignment change.
• Working with the Dean of Students Office on academic flexibility.

Why is there a notation on my transcript?

When an investigation begins, the College notates respondents' transcripts with "Administrative Matter Pending." The notation will be removed after the investigation is complete. If a student is suspended or expelled at the conclusion of the investigation, the suspension or expulsion will be permanently recorded on their transcript.

What happens if I am found responsible for the misconduct?

If you are found responsible for one or more policy violation, you will receive a sanction. A trained review panel of three staff and/or faculty will meet to determine an appropriate sanction. Available sanctions include, but are not limited to: educational initiatives, warning, censure, disciplinary probation, restitution, removal from campus housing, suspension, expulsion, revocation of admission and/or degree, withholding degree.

Is this a criminal investigation/is law enforcement involved?

Investigations through the Civil Rights & Title IX Office are administrative investigations and are not criminal investigations. If the other party has also reported the incident to law enforcement, a criminal investigation and a College investigation may occur concurrently.

 

Responsible Employee FAQs

What is a responsible employee?

All employees (who do not have legally protected confidentiality) are responsible employees. This includes, but is not limited to: faculty, coaches, staff members, and Resident Advisors.

What are my duties as a responsible employee?

If you become aware of or observe a possible violation of the Sexual and Interpersonal Violence Policy, you must promptly report all known information about the incident to the Civil Rights & Title IX Office. You are not responsible for investigating or gathering additional information.

What types of conduct must I report?

You are responsible for reporting conduct that might constitute sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, complicity, sex or gender-based discrimination, gender-based harassment, or retaliation. Definitions for these terms are available in the Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct Policy.

What if I am unsure whether I have to report a specific incident?

If you are unsure if your responsible employee obligations apply to a specific situation, err on the side of caution and file a report or call/email the Civil Rights & Title IX Office and ask for guidance.

What if the person asks me not to make a report?

Explain that as a responsible employee you are obligated to notify the Civil Rights & Title IX Office and that they will receive an email offering to meet to discuss options and resources. Share that they do not have to respond to the email and that just because a report has been made does not mean that the other person will be notified or that an investigation is being opened.