Effective Aug. 14, 2020


1. Overview

Lafayette College will respond whenever it has actual notice of an alleged violation of the policy on Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Nondiscrimination (“the Policy”). The College will respond to allegations that constitute Title IX Sexual Harassment using the procedures outlined here, in Process A. All other allegations of harassment or discrimination based on a protected class that do not fall within Title IX Sexual Harassment will be referred to the procedures outlined in Process B. For conduct that does not fall under either of these policies, see the Faculty, staff, or student handbooks for adjudicatory procedures that may apply.

In appropriate circumstances, and with notice to the parties, these same procedures may be used to address collateral misconduct (e.g., vandalism, physical abuse of another).

While the Title IX Coordinator will most commonly oversee implementation of these procedures, Deputy Title IX Coordinators and/or other trained individuals may be designated to do so.

 

2. Notice/Formal Complaint

Upon receipt of a Formal Complaint or notice to the Title IX Coordinator, the Title IX Coordinator initiates a prompt initial assessment to determine the next steps the College needs to take. In doing so, the Title IX Coordinator must promptly contact the Complainant to discuss availability of supportive measures, consider the Complainant’s wishes with respect to supportive measures, inform the Complainant of the availability of supportive measures, and explain to the Complainant the process for filing a Formal Complaint.

The Title IX Coordinator will initiate at least one of three responses:

1) Offering supportive measures only because the Complainant does not want to submit a Formal Complaint; and/or

2) An informal resolution upon submission of a Formal Complaint and where both parties consent to the informal resolution option in writing; and/or

3) A Formal Grievance Process including an investigation and a hearing, upon submission of a Formal Complaint.

The College uses the Formal Grievance Process to determine whether or not the Policy has been violated. If it is determined that there has been a violation, the College will promptly implement effective remedies designed to ensure that it is not deliberately indifferent to harassment or discrimination, their potential recurrence, or their effects.

 

3. Initial Assessment

Following receipt of notice of an alleged violation of this Policy, the Title IX Coordinator[1] engages in an initial assessment, typically within five (5) business days. The steps in an initial assessment can include:

  • The Title IX Coordinator reaches out to the Complainant to offer supportive measures.
  • The Title IX Coordinator works with the Complainant to determine whether the Complainant prefers a supportive and remedial response that is not punitive and does not involve the Respondent, an informal resolution option, or a formal investigation and grievance process.
    • If a supportive and remedial response is preferred, the Title IX Coordinator works with the Complainant to identify their wishes, assess the request, and implements accordingly. No Formal Grievance Process is initiated, though the Complainant can elect to initiate one later, if desired.
    • If an informal resolution option is preferred, the Title IX Coordinator advises the Complainant that they must file a Formal Complaint. Once that Formal Complaint is filed, the Title IX Coordinator assesses whether the Formal Complaint is suitable for informal resolution, which informal mechanism may serve the situation best or is available, and will determine if the Respondent is also willing to engage in informal resolution. Both the Respondent and Complainant must agree to the informal resolution, in writing.
    • If a formal investigation and grievance process is preferred, the Title IX Coordinator assists the Complainant with the logistics of filing a Formal Complaint.
      • If the Complainant does not wish to file a Formal Complaint, the Title IX Coordinator determines whether to initiate a Formal Complaint without the Complainant’s participation.
    • If a Formal Complaint is received, the Title IX Coordinator assesses its sufficiency.
    • The Title IX Coordinator works with the Complainant to ensure they are aware of the right to have an Adviser.
    • If a Formal Grievance Process is preferred and a Formal Complaint has been filed, the Title IX Coordinator determines if the misconduct alleged falls within the scope of Title IX:
      • If it does, the Title IX Coordinator will initiate the formal investigation and grievance process, directing the investigation to address:
        • an incident, and/or
        • a pattern of alleged misconduct, and/or
        • a culture/climate issue, based on the nature of the Formal Complaint.
      • If it does not, the Title IX Coordinator will “dismiss” that aspect of the Formal Complaint, assess which other policies may apply, which resolution process is applicable, and, when appropriate, may refer the matter for resolution under Process B. Please note that dismissing a Formal Complaint under Title IX is solely a procedural requirement under Title IX, and does not limit the College’s authority to address a Formal Complaint with an appropriate process and remedies.

Dismissal of Formal Complaints (Mandatory and Discretionary)[2]

The College must dismiss a Formal Complaint or any allegations therein if, at any time during the investigation or hearing, it is determined that:

  • The conduct alleged in the Formal Complaint would not constitute sexual harassment as defined in the Policy, even if proved; and/or
  • The conduct did not occur in an educational program or activity controlled by the College (including buildings or property controlled by recognized student organizations), and/or the College did not have control over the Respondent at the time the conduct occurred; and/or
  • The conduct did not occur against a person in the United States; and/or
  • At the time of submitting a Formal Complaint, a Complainant is not participating in or attempting to participate in the education program or activity of the College.

The College may dismiss a Formal Complaint or any allegations therein if, at any time during the investigation or hearing:

  • A Complainant notifies the Title IX Coordinator in writing that the Complainant would like to withdraw the Formal Complaint or any allegations therein; or
  • The Respondent is no longer enrolled in or employed by the College; or
  • Specific circumstances prevent the College from gathering evidence sufficient to reach a determination as to the Formal Complaint or allegations therein.

Upon any dismissal of a Formal Complaint, the Title IX Coordinator will promptly send written notice of the dismissal and the rationale for doing so simultaneously to the parties.

This dismissal decision is appealable by any party under the procedures for appeal below. A Complainant who decides to withdraw a Formal Complaint may later request to reinstate it or refile it.

 

4. Counterclaims

The College permits the filing of counterclaims, i.e. a Formal Complaint filed by a Respondent against a Complainant in response to the Complainant’s initial Formal Complaint, but uses an initial assessment, described above, to assess whether the allegations in the counterclaim Formal Complaint are made in good faith. Counterclaims by a Respondent may be made in good faith, but are, on occasion, made for purposes of retaliation, instead. Counterclaims made with retaliatory intent will not be permitted.

Counterclaims determined to have been reported in good faith will be processed using the grievance procedures below. Investigation of such claims may take place after resolution of the underlying initial allegation, in which case a delay may occur.

Counterclaims may also be resolved through the same investigation as the underlying allegation, at the discretion of the Title IX Coordinator. When counterclaims are not made in good faith, they will be considered retaliatory and may constitute a violation of this policy.

 

5. Right to an Adviser

The parties may each have an Adviser[3] of their choice present with them for all meetings, interviews, and hearings within the Formal Grievance Process, if they so choose.

a. Who Can Serve as an Adviser

The Adviser may be a friend, mentor, family member, attorney, or any other individual a party chooses to advise, support, and/or consult with them throughout the resolution process. The parties may choose Advisers from inside or outside of the Lafayette College community.

The Title IX Coordinator will also offer to assign a trained Adviser for any party if the party so chooses. If the parties choose an Adviser from the pool available from the College, the Adviser will be trained by the College and be familiar with the College’s resolution process.

If the parties choose an Adviser from outside the pool of those identified by the College, the Adviser may not have been trained by the College and may not be familiar with College policies and procedures.

Parties also have the right to choose not to have an Adviser in the initial stages of the resolution process, prior to a hearing.  Both parties must have an Adviser at any hearing.

b. Adviser’s Role in Meetings and Interviews

The parties may be accompanied by their Adviser in all meetings and interviews at which the party is entitled to be present, including intake and interviews. Advisers should help the parties prepare for each meeting and are expected to advise ethically, with integrity, and in good faith. The College cannot guarantee equal Advisory rights, meaning that if one party selects an Adviser who is an attorney, the College is not obligated to provide an attorney.

c. Advisers in Hearings/ College -Appointed Adviser

Under U.S. Department of Education Title IX regulations, a form of indirect questioning is required during the hearing, and it must be conducted by the parties’ Advisers. The parties are not permitted to directly question each other or any witnesses. If a party does not have an Adviser for a hearing, the Title IX Coordinator or hearing administrator will appoint a trained Adviser for the limited purpose of conducting any questioning of the other party and witnesses.

A party may reject this appointment and choose their own Adviser, but they may not proceed at a hearing without an Adviser. Similarly, if the party’s selected Adviser will not conduct questioning, the Title IX Coordinator or hearing administrator will appoint an Adviser who will do so, regardless of the participation or non-participation of the advised party in the hearing itself. Questioning of the parties and witnesses may also be conducted by the Decision-makers during the hearing.

d. Adviser Violations of College Policy

All Advisers are subject to the same Lafayette College policies and procedures, whether they are attorneys or not. Advisers are expected to advise their advisees without disrupting proceedings. Advisers should not address College officials in a meeting or interview unless invited to (e.g., asking procedural questions). The Adviser may not make a presentation or represent their advisee during any meeting or proceeding and may not speak on behalf of the advisee to the Investigators or other Decision-makers except during a hearing proceeding, during cross-examination.

The parties are expected to respond to questions on their own behalf throughout the investigation phase of the resolution process. Although the Adviser generally may not speak on behalf of their advisee, the Adviser may consult with their advisee, either privately as needed, or by conferring or passing notes during any resolution process meeting or interview. For longer or more involved discussions, the parties and their Advisers should ask for breaks to allow for private consultation.

Any Adviser who oversteps their role as defined by this policy will be warned only once. If the Adviser continues to disrupt or otherwise fails to respect the limits of the Adviser role, the meeting will be ended, or other appropriate measures implemented. Subsequently, the Title IX Coordinator will determine, in their sole discretion, how to address the Adviser’s non-compliance and future role.

e. Pre-Interview Meetings

Advisers may request to meet with the administrative officials conducting interviews/meetings in advance of these interviews or meetings. This pre-meeting allows Advisers to clarify and understand their role and the College’s policies and procedures.

f. Sharing Information with the Adviser

Title IX regulations require the College to share documentation and evidence related to the allegations with the Parties and their Advisers.

g. Privacy of Records Shared with Adviser

Advisers are expected to maintain the privacy of the records shared with them. The College may seek to restrict the role of any Adviser who does not respect the sensitive nature of the process or who fails to abide by the College’s privacy expectations.

h. Expectations of an Adviser

The College generally expects an Adviser to adjust their schedule to allow them to attend meetings when planned, but may change scheduled meetings to accommodate an Adviser’s inability to attend, if doing so does not cause an unreasonable delay.

The College may also make reasonable provisions to allow an Adviser who cannot attend in person to attend a meeting by telephone, video conferencing, or other similar technologies as may be convenient and available.

i. Expectations of the Parties with Respect to Advisers

A party may elect to change Advisers during the process and is not obligated to use the same Adviser throughout. The parties are expected to inform the Investigators, or Title IX Coordinator, of the identity of their Adviser at least two (2) business days before the date of their first meeting with Investigators (or as soon as possible if a more expeditious meeting is necessary or desired).

The parties are expected to provide timely notice to the Title IX Coordinator if they change Advisers at any time. Parties are expected to inform the hearing administrator of the identity of their hearing Adviser at least two (2) business days before the hearing.

j. Assistance in Securing an Adviser

In addition to those Advisers who may be offered by the College, Respondents may wish to contact organizations such as:

Complainants may wish to contact organizations such as:

 

6. Resolution Processes

Once a Formal Complaint has been filed, there are two types of Resolution Processes – Informal Resolution or a Formal Grievance Process (see parts a. and b. below). Resolution can commence as Informal and if not resolved may be switched to Formal; conversely, resolution can commence as Formal and when appropriate, can be switched to Informal.

All resolution proceedings are private. All persons present at any time during the resolution process are expected to maintain the privacy of the proceedings in accordance with College Policy. Although there is an expectation of privacy around what Investigators share with parties during interviews, the parties have discretion to share their own knowledge and evidence with others if they so choose, with the exception of information the parties agree not to disclose related to Informal Resolution. The College encourages parties to discuss any sharing of information with their Advisers before doing so.

a. Informal Resolution

Informal Resolution can include three different approaches and must always include the written consent of both parties:

  • The Title IX Coordinator can resolve the matter informally by providing supportive measures (only) to remedy the situation, pursuant to Policy 8. Supportive Measures; or
  • The parties agree to resolve the matter through an Alternate Resolution mechanism as described below [including mediation, restorative practices, negotiated resolution,], usually before a formal investigation takes place; see discussion a.1), below; or
  • The Respondent accepts responsibility for violating the Policy, and desires to accept a sanction and end the resolution process (similar to above, but usually occurs post-investigation); see discussion in 2), below.

To initiate Informal Resolution, a Complainant first needs to submit a Formal Complaint, as defined above. A Respondent who wishes to initiate Informal Resolution should contact the Title IX Coordinator.

It is not necessary to pursue Informal Resolution first in order to pursue a Formal Grievance Process, and any party participating in Informal Resolution can stop the process at any time before a final determination regarding responsibility is reached and begin or resume the Formal Grievance Process.

Prior to implementing Informal Resolution, the Title IX Coordinator will provide the parties with written notice of the reported misconduct and any sanctions or measures that instead may result from participating in a Formal Grievance Process, including information regarding any records that will be maintained or shared by the College.

The Title IX Coordinator will obtain voluntary, written confirmation that all parties wish to resolve the matter through Informal Resolution before proceeding and will not pressure the parties to participate in Informal Resolution.

Informal Resolution is not available as a means for resolving allegations that an employee sexually harassed a student.

a.1) Alternate Resolution

Alternate Resolution is a type of Informal Resolution which may include mediation, restorative practices, or negotiated resolution. At the end of Alternate Resolution, the parties reach a mutually agreed upon resolution of an allegation. All parties must consent to the use of Alternate Resolution. Alternate Resolutions are not appealable.

The Title IX Coordinator may look to the following factors to assess whether Alternate Resolution is appropriate, or which form of Alternate Resolution may be most successful for the parties:

  • The parties’ amenability to Alternate Resolution;
  • Likelihood of potential resolution, taking into account any power dynamics between the parties;
  • The parties’ motivation to participate;
  • Civility of the parties;
  • Results of a violence risk assessment/ongoing risk analysis;
  • Disciplinary history;
  • Whether an emergency removal is needed;
  • Skill of the Alternate Resolution facilitator with this type of allegation;
  • Complaint complexity;
  • Emotional investment/capability of the parties;
  • Rationality of the parties;
  • Goals of the parties;
  • Adequate resources to invest in Alternate Resolution (time, staff, etc.)

The ultimate determination of whether Alternate Resolution is available or successful is to be made by the Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator maintains records of any resolution that is reached, and failure to abide by the resolution agreement may result in appropriate responsive/disciplinary actions. Results of Formal Complaints resolved by Alternate Resolution are not appealable.

Alternate Resolution is not typically the primary resolution mechanism used to address reports of violent behavior of any kind or in other cases of serious violations of policy.

a.2) Respondent Accepts Responsibility for Alleged Violations

Another type of Informal Resolution is when the Respondent accepts responsibility for all or part of the alleged Policy violations at any point during the resolution process. If the Respondent indicates an intent to accept responsibility for all of the alleged misconduct, the process will be paused, and the Title IX Coordinator will determine whether Informal Resolution can be used according to the criteria above.

If Informal Resolution could be applicable, the Title IX Coordinator will determine whether all parties and the College are able to agree on responsibility, sanctions, and/or remedies. If so, the Title IX Coordinator implements the accepted finding that the Respondent is in violation of College policy and implements agreed-upon sanctions and/or remedies, in coordination with other appropriate administrator(s), as necessary.

This result is not subject to appeal once all parties indicate their written assent to all agreed upon terms of this type of Informal Resolution. If the parties cannot agree on all terms of Informal Resolution, the Formal Grievance Process will be initiated, or will resume at the same point where it was paused.

b. Formal Grievance Process

The other method of resolution is through a Formal Grievance Process.  This is a method of formal resolution designated by the College to address conduct that falls within the Policy, as defined by Title IX Regulations 34 CFR 106.30, and which complies with the requirements of the Title IX Regulations 34 CFR 106.45. See below for more information regarding the Formal Grievance Process. If both parties agree, and the Title IX Coordinator approves, the Formal Grievance Process may be paused and the Informal Resolution process may be commenced.

Resolution Timeline

The College will make a good faith effort to complete the Resolution Process within a sixty-to-ninety (60-90) business day time period, including appeal.  This timeline can be extended as necessary for appropriate cause by the Title IX Coordinator or hearing administrator, who will provide notice and rationale for any extensions or delays to the parties as appropriate, as well as an estimate of how much additional time will be needed to complete the process.

 

7. Formal Grievance Process Pool

The Formal Grievance Process is carried out by a pool of investigators, hearing officers, appeal officers, and advisers (“the Pool”). The Pool may include College employees and/or external members. Members of the Pool may be announced in an annual distribution of this policy to all students, parents/guardians of students, employees, prospective students, and prospective employees.

a. Pool Member Roles

Members of the Pool are trained annually, and can serve in in the following roles, at the direction of the Title IX Coordinator:

  • To provide appropriate intake of and initial guidance pertaining to Formal Complaints
  • To act as an Adviser to the parties
  • To serve in a facilitation role in Informal Resolution if appropriately trained in appropriate resolution modalities (e.g., mediation, restorative practices)
  • To perform or assist with initial assessment
  • To investigate complaints
  • To serve as a hearing facilitator (process administrator, no decision-making role)
  • To serve as a Decision-maker regarding the complaint
  • To serve as an Appeal Decision-maker

b. Pool Member Appointment

The Title IX Coordinator appoints the Pool, which acts with independence and impartiality.

c. Pool Member Training

The Pool members receive annual training. This training may vary slightly based on Pool member roles and includes, but is not limited to:

  • The scope of the College’s Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Procedures
  • How to conduct investigations and/or hearings that protect the safety of Complainants and Respondents, and promote accountability
  • Implicit bias
  • Disparate treatment and impact
  • Reporting, confidentiality, and privacy requirements
  • Applicable laws, regulations, and federal regulatory guidance
  • How to implement appropriate and situation-specific remedies
  • How to investigate in a thorough, reliable, and impartial manner
  • How to uphold fairness, equity, and due process
  • How to weigh evidence
  • How to conduct questioning
  • How to assess credibility
  • Impartiality and objectivity
  • How to render findings and generate clear, concise, evidence-based rationales
  • The definitions of all offenses
  • How to apply definitions used by the College with respect to consent (or the absence or negation of consent) consistently, impartially, and in accordance with policy
  • How to conduct an investigation and/or grievance process including hearings, appeals, and informal resolution processes
  • How to serve impartially by avoiding prejudgment of the facts at issue, conflicts of interest, and bias
  • Any technology to be used at a live hearing
  • Issues of relevance of questions and evidence
  • Issues of relevance to create an investigation report that fairly summarizes relevant evidence
  • How to determine appropriate sanctions in reference to all forms of harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation allegations
  • Recordkeeping

All Pool members are required to attend these trainings annually. The materials used to train all members of the Pool are publicly posted here: https://sash.lafayette.edu/.

 

8. Formal Grievance Process: Notice of Allegations (NOA), and Notice of Investigation and Allegations (NOIA)

Upon receipt of a Formal Complaint, the Title IX Coordinator will provide written notice of the allegations (“NOA”). If the matter is then moving forward (pursuant to section 3 above, and if an Informal Resolution has not been reached), the Title IX Coordinator will also provide written notice of the investigation and allegations (the “NOIA”) to the Respondent upon commencement of the Formal Grievance Process. This facilitates the Respondent’s ability to prepare for the interview and to identify and choose an Adviser to accompany them. The NOA and NOIA are also copied to the Complainant, who is to be given advance notice of when the NOA and NOIA will be delivered to the Respondent.

Both the NOA and the NOIA will include:

  • A summary of all of allegations with sufficient detail, known at the time, including
    • The identity of the involved parties (if known),
    • The precise misconduct being alleged,
    • The date and location of the alleged incident(s) (if known),
  • The specific policies implicated,
  • A description of the applicable procedures,
  • A statement of the potential sanctions/responsive actions that could result,
  • A statement that the Respondent is presumed not responsible for the reported misconduct unless and until the evidence supports a different determination,
  • A statement that determinations of responsibility are made at the conclusion of the process and that the parties will be given an opportunity to inspect and review all directly related and/or relevant evidence obtained during the review and comment period,
  • A statement about College policy on retaliation,
  • Information about the privacy of the process,
  • Information on the need for each party to have an Adviser of their choosing and suggestions for ways to identify an Adviser,
  • A statement informing the parties that College Policy prohibits knowingly making false statements, including knowingly submitting false information during the resolution process,
  • Detail on how the party may request disability accommodations during the interview process,
  • A link to the College’s VAWA Brochure,
  • For the NOIA, the name(s) of the Investigator(s), along with a process to identify, in advance of the interview process, to the Title IX Coordinator any conflict of interest that the Investigator(s) may have, and
  • An instruction to preserve any evidence that is directly related to the allegations.

Amendments and updates to the NOIA may be made as the investigation progresses and more information becomes available regarding the addition or dismissal of various charges.

Notice will be made in writing and may be delivered by one or more of the following methods: in person, mailed to the local or permanent address(es) of the parties as indicated in official College records, or emailed to the parties’ College-issued email or designated accounts. Once mailed, emailed, and/or received in-person, notice will be presumptively delivered.

 

9. Appointment of Investigators

Once the decision to commence a formal investigation is made, the Title IX Coordinator appoints Pool members to conduct the investigation (typically using a team of two Investigators), usually within two (2) business days of determining that an investigation should proceed.

 

10. Ensuring Impartiality

Any individual materially involved in the administration of the Resolution Process, including the Title IX Coordinator, Investigators, and Decision-makers, may neither have nor demonstrate a conflict of interest or bias for a party generally, or for a specific Complainant or Respondent.

The Title IX Coordinator will vet the assigned Investigators and Decision-makers to ensure impartiality by ensuring there are no actual or apparent conflicts of interest or disqualifying biases. The parties may, at any time during the resolution process, raise a concern regarding bias or conflict of interest, and the Title IX Coordinator will determine whether the concern is reasonable and supportable. If so, another Pool member will be assigned and the impact of the bias or conflict, if any, will be remedied. If the source of the alleged conflict of interest or bias is the Title IX Coordinator, concerns should be raised with the College’s President.

The Formal Grievance Process involves an objective evaluation of all relevant evidence obtained, including evidence that supports that the Respondent engaged in a policy violation and evidence that supports that the Respondent did not engage in a policy violation. Credibility determinations may not be based solely on an individual’s status or participation as a Complainant, Respondent, or witness.

The College operates with the presumption that the Respondent is not responsible for the reported misconduct unless and until the Respondent is determined to be responsible for a policy violation using the preponderance of the evidence standard.

 

11. Investigation Timeline

Investigations are completed expeditiously, though some investigations may take longer, depending on the nature, extent, and complexity of the allegations, availability of witnesses, police involvement, etc.

The College will make a good faith effort to complete investigations as promptly as circumstances permit and will communicate regularly with the parties to update them on the progress and timing of the investigation.

 

12. Delays in the Investigation Process and Interactions with Law Enforcement

The College may undertake a short delay in its investigation (several days to a few weeks) if circumstances require. Such circumstances include, but are not limited to: a request from law enforcement to temporarily delay the investigation, the need for language assistance, the absence of parties and/or witnesses, and/or accommodations for disabilities or health conditions.

The Title IX Coordinator or hearing administrator will communicate in writing the anticipated duration of the delay and reason to the parties, and provide the parties with status updates if necessary. The College will promptly resume its investigation and Resolution Process as soon as feasible. During such a delay, the Title IX Coordinator will implement supportive measures as deemed appropriate.

College action(s) or processes are not typically altered or precluded on the grounds that civil or criminal charges involving the underlying incident(s) have been filed or that criminal charges have been dismissed or reduced.

 

13. Steps in the Investigation Process

All investigations are thorough, reliable, impartial, prompt, and fair. Investigations involve interviews with all relevant parties and witnesses; obtaining available, relevant evidence; and identifying sources of expert information, as necessary.

All parties have a full and fair opportunity, through the investigation process, to suggest witnesses and questions, to provide evidence and expert witnesses, and to fully review and respond to all evidence on the record.  However, the ultimate burden of gathering evidence sufficient to reach a determination regarding responsibility rests on the College.

The Title IX Coordinator or Investigators typically take the following steps (not necessarily in this order):

  • When participation of a party is expected, provide that party with written notice of the date, time, and location of the meeting, as well as the expected participants and purpose
  • Provide each interviewed party and witness an opportunity to review and verify the Investigators’ summary notes (or transcript) of the relevant evidence/testimony from their respective interviews and meetings
  • Interview all available, relevant witnesses and conduct follow-up interviews as necessary
  • Allow each party the opportunity to suggest witnesses and questions they wish the Investigators to ask of the other party and witnesses
  • Complete the investigation promptly and without unreasonable deviation from the intended timeline
  • Provide regular status updates to the parties throughout the investigation
  • Write a comprehensive investigation report fully summarizing the investigation, all witness interviews, and addressing all relevant evidence. Appendices including relevant physical or documentary evidence will be included
  • The Investigators gather, assess, and synthesize evidence, but make no conclusions, engage in no policy analysis, and render no recommendations as part of their report
  • Prior to the conclusion of the investigation, the Investigators shall provide the parties (and their respective Advisers, if so desired by the parties) an opportunity to inspect and review all of the evidence obtained as part of the investigation that is directly related to the reported misconduct, including evidence upon which the College does not intend to rely on in reaching a determination. The parties shall have ten (10) business days to review the evidence and provide any written comments to the Investigators. Any party may elect to waive the full ten day review period.
  • The Investigators may respond directly in writing to each party’s submitted comments about the evidence, and/or to share those responses with all parties for additional written feedback.
  • The Investigators will consider these comments from the parties and may incorporate relevant elements, if any, into the investigation report.  At this stage the Investigators may also conduct additional investigation as warranted, gather any additional relevant evidence, and finalize the investigation report.
  • The investigation report is then shared with all parties and their Advisers at least ten (10) business days prior to a hearing. The parties may comment on the final report in writing, and such comments will be appended to the report. At the hearing, a file of any directly related evidence that was not included in the report will be made available to the parties.

14. Role and Participation of Witnesses in the Investigation

Witnesses (as distinguished from the parties) are encouraged to cooperate with and participate in the College’s investigation and resolution process.

Individuals on campus who are deemed to be confidential resources – such as sexual assault counselors, pastoral counselors, mental health counselors – may not be compelled to participate in any campus proceeding, but they may participate if the student to whom they were providing confidential support first provides their written consent.

Interviews for parties and all potential witnesses may be conducted in-person or remotely, as determined by circumstances (e.g., study abroad, summer break, pandemics) and current practices. Skype, Zoom, FaceTime, WebEx, or similar technologies may be used for interviews if the Investigator(s) determine that timeliness or efficiency dictate a need for remote interviewing. The College will take appropriate steps to reasonably ensure the security/privacy of remote interviews.

Witnesses may also provide written statements in lieu of interviews or choose to respond to written questions, if deemed appropriate by the Investigator(s), though not preferred.

 

15. Recording of Interviews

No unauthorized audio or video recording of any kind is permitted during investigation meetings. If Investigators elect to audio and/or video record interviews, all involved parties must be made aware of and consent to audio and/or video recording, and they may not make their own personal recording of the interview.

 

16. Evidentiary Considerations in the Investigation

The investigation does not consider: 1) incidents not directly related to the possible violation, unless they evidence a pattern; 2) the character of the parties; or 3) questions and evidence about the Complainant’s sexual predisposition or prior sexual behavior, unless such questions and evidence about the Complainant’s prior sexual behavior are offered to prove that someone other than the Respondent committed the conduct alleged by the Complainant, or if the questions and evidence concern specific incidents of the Complainant’s prior sexual behavior with respect to the Respondent and are offered to prove consent.

 

17. Referral for Hearing

Provided that the Formal Complaint is not resolved through Informal Resolution, once the final investigation report is shared with the parties, the Title IX Coordinator will refer the matter for a hearing.

The hearing cannot be less than ten (10) business days from the conclusion of the investigation – i.e., when the final investigation report is transmitted to the parties and the Decision-makers–unless all parties and the Decision-makers agree to an expedited timeline.

The Title IX Coordinator will select appropriate Decision-makers from the Pool depending on whether the Respondent is a student, staff member, or faculty member.

 

18. Hearing Decision-maker Composition

The College will designate a three-member Decision-maker panel from the Pool, at the discretion of the Title IX Coordinator. One of the three members will be appointed as Chair by the Title IX Coordinator or hearing administrator.

The Decision-makers will not have had any previous involvement with the investigation. The Title IX Coordinator or hearing administrator may elect to have an alternate from the Pool sit in throughout the hearing process in the event that a substitute is needed for any reason.

Those who have served as Investigators will be witnesses in the hearing and therefore may not serve as Decision-makers. Those who are serving as Advisers for any party may not serve as Decision-makers in that matter.

The Title IX Coordinator may not serve as a Decision-maker or Chair in the matter but may serve as an administrative facilitator of the hearing if their previous roles in the matter do not create a conflict of interest. Otherwise, a designee may fulfill this role. The hearing will convene at a time determined by the Chair or designee.

 

19. Evidentiary Considerations in the Hearing

Any evidence that the Decision-makers determine is relevant may be considered. The following evidence is generally not relevant and will not be considered by the decision-makers: 1) incidents not directly related to the possible violation, unless they evidence a pattern; or 2) questions and evidence about the Complainant’s sexual predisposition or prior sexual behavior, unless such questions and evidence about the Complainant’s prior sexual behavior are offered to prove that someone other than the Respondent committed the conduct alleged by the Complainant, or if the questions and evidence concern specific incidents of the Complainant’s prior sexual behavior with respect to the Respondent and are offered to prove consent.

Within the boundaries stated above, the hearing Decision-makers have discretion to consider character evidence generally, if offered, but that evidence is unlikely to be relevant unless it is fact evidence or relates to a pattern of conduct.

Previous disciplinary action of any kind involving the Respondent may be considered in determining an appropriate sanction upon a determination of responsibility. This information is only considered at the sanction stage of the process, and is not shared until then.

The parties may each submit a written impact statement prior to the hearing for the consideration of the Decision-makers and the relevant administrators at the sanction stage of the process when a determination of responsibility is reached.

After post-hearing deliberation, the Decision-makers, by majority, will render a determination based on the preponderance of the evidence; in other words, whether it is more likely than not that the Respondent violated the Policy as alleged.

 

20. Notice of Hearing

No less than ten (10) business days prior to the hearing, the Title IX Coordinator or the Chair will send written notice of the hearing to the parties. Once mailed, emailed, and/or received in-person, notice will be presumptively delivered.

The notice will contain:

  • A description of the alleged violation(s), a list of all policies allegedly violated, a description of the applicable procedures, and a statement of the potential sanctions/responsive actions that could result.
  • The time, date, and location of the hearing and a reminder that attendance is mandatory, superseding all other campus activities. When faculty or students are involved, the hearing will be scheduled so as to limit conflicts with their course schedule(s).
  • Any technology that will be used to facilitate the hearing.
  • Information about the option for the live hearing, unless conducted remotely, to occur with the parties located in separate rooms using technology that enables the Decision-makers and parties to see and hear a party or witness answering questions. Such a request must be raised with the Title IX Coordinator at least five (5) business days prior to the hearing.
  • A list of all those who will attend the hearing, along with an invitation to object to any Decision-maker on the basis of demonstrated bias. This must be raised with the Title IX Coordinator at least three (3) business days prior to the hearing.
  • Information on how the hearing will be recorded and on access to the recording for the parties after the hearing.
  • A statement that if any party or witness does not appear at the scheduled hearing, the hearing may be held in their absence. For compelling reasons, the Chair or Title IX Coordinator may reschedule the hearing.
  • Notification that the parties may have the assistance of an Adviser of their choosing at the hearing and will be required to have one present for any questions they may desire to ask. The party must notify the Title IX Coordinator if they do not have an Adviser, and one will be appointed. Each party must have an Adviser present. There are no exceptions.
  • A copy of all the materials provided to the Decision-makers about the matter, unless they have been provided already.[4]
  • An invitation to each party to submit to the Title IX Coordinator an impact statement pre-hearing that the Decision-makers will review during any sanction determination.
  • An invitation to contact the Academic Resource Hub for Accessibility Services (for students) or the Office of Human Resources (for employees) to arrange any disability accommodations, language assistance, and/or interpretation services that may be needed at the hearing, at least seven (7) business days prior to the hearing. Parties should notify the Title IX Coordinator of any such requests.
  • Whether parties can/cannot bring mobile phones/devices into the hearing.

Hearings for possible violations that occur near or after the end of an academic term (assuming the Respondent is still subject to this Policy) and are unable to be resolved prior to the end of term will typically be held immediately after the end of the term or during the summer, as needed, to meet the resolution timeline followed by the College and remain within the 60-90 business day goal for resolution.

A student facing charges under this Policy is not in good standing to graduate.

 

21. Alternative Hearing Participation Options

Current practices provide for hearings to be conducted remotely. For live hearings, if a party or parties prefer not to attend or cannot attend the hearing in person, the party should request alternative arrangements from the Title IX Coordinator or the Chair at least five (5) business days prior to the hearing.

The Title IX Coordinator or the Chair can arrange to use technology to allow remote testimony without compromising the fairness of the hearing. Remote options may also be needed for witnesses who cannot appear in person. Any witness who cannot attend in person should let the Title IX Coordinator or the Chair know at least five (5) business days prior to the hearing so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

 

22. Pre-Hearing Preparation

The Chair or hearing facilitator after any necessary consultation with the parties, Investigators and/or Title IX Coordinator, will provide the names of persons who will be participating in the hearing, all pertinent documentary evidence, and the final investigation report to the parties at least ten (10) business days prior to the hearing.

Any witness scheduled to participate in the hearing must have been first interviewed by the Investigators or have offered a written statement or answered written questions, unless all parties and the Chair assent to the witness’s participation in the hearing. The same holds for any evidence that is first offered at the hearing. If the parties and Chair do not assent to the presentation of witnesses and/or the admission of evidence newly offered at the hearing, the Chair may delay the hearing and instruct that the investigation needs to be re-opened to consider that evidence or interview that new witness.

The parties will be given a list of the names of the Decision-makers at least five (5) business days in advance of the hearing. All objections to any Decision-maker must be raised in writing, detailing the rationale for the objection, and must be submitted to the Title IX Coordinator as soon as possible and no later than three days prior to the hearing. Decision-makers will only be removed if the Title IX Coordinator concludes that their bias or conflict of interest precludes an impartial hearing of the allegation(s).

The Title IX Coordinator will give the Decision-makers a list of the names of all parties, witnesses, and Advisers at least five (5) business days in advance of the hearing. Any Decision-maker who cannot make an objective determination must recuse themselves from the proceedings when notified of the identity of the parties, witnesses, and Advisers in advance of the hearing. If a Decision-maker is unsure of whether a bias or conflict of interest exists, they must raise the concern to the Title IX Coordinator as soon as possible.

 

23. Pre-Hearing Meetings

The parties and/or their Advisers may request a pre-hearing meeting with the Chair or hearing administrator to review the hearing procedures.

The pre-hearing meeting(s) will not be recorded.

 

24. Hearing Procedures

At the hearing, the Decision-makers have the authority to hear and make determinations on all allegations of discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation and may also hear and make determinations on any additional alleged policy violations that have occurred in concert with the discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation, even though those collateral allegations may not specifically fall within the policy on Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Nondiscrimination.

Participants at the hearing will include the Chair, any additional panelists, the hearing facilitator, the Investigator(s) who conducted the investigation, the parties (or three (3) organizational representatives when an organization is the Respondent), Advisers to the parties, any called witnesses, the Title IX Coordinator, and anyone providing authorized accommodations or assistive services.

The Chair will answer all questions of procedure. Anyone appearing at the hearing to provide information will respond to questions on their own behalf. The Chair will allow witnesses who have relevant information to appear at a portion of the hearing in order to respond to specific questions from the Decision-makers and the parties and the witnesses will then be excused.

 

25. Joint Hearings

In hearings involving more than one Respondent or in which two (2) or more Complainants have accused the same individual of substantially similar conduct, the default procedure will be to hear the allegations jointly. At the discretion of the Title IX Coordinator, a Formal Complaint and a related Counterclaim may be considered jointly at the same hearing.  In joint hearings, separate determinations of responsibility will be made for each Respondent with respect to each alleged policy violation.

The Title IX Coordinator may instead permit the investigation and/or hearings pertinent to each Respondent to be conducted separately if there is a compelling reason to do so.

 

26. The Order of the Hearing – Introductions and Explanation of Procedure

At the outset of a hearing, the Chair explains the procedures and introduces the participants. This may include a final opportunity for challenge or recusal of Decision-makers on the basis of bias or conflict of interest. The Chair will rule on any such challenge unless the Chair is the individual who is the subject of the challenge, in which case the Title IX Coordinator will review and decide the challenge.

The Chair and/or hearing facilitator then conducts the hearing according to the hearing script. At the hearing, recording, witness logistics, party logistics, curation of documents, separation of the parties, and other administrative elements of the hearing process are managed by a non-voting hearing facilitator appointed by the Title IX Coordinator. As noted, the hearing facilitator may attend to: logistics of rooms for various parties/witnesses as they wait; flow of parties/witnesses in and out of the hearing space; ensuring recording and/or virtual conferencing technology is working as intended; copying and distributing materials to participants, as appropriate, etc.

 

27. Investigator Presents the Final Investigation Report

The Investigator(s) will then present a summary of the final investigation report, including items that are contested and those that are not, and will be subject to questioning by the Decision-makers and the parties (through their Advisers). The Investigator(s) may be present during the entire hearing process, but not during deliberations.

Neither the parties nor the Decision-makers should ask the Investigator(s) their opinions on credibility, recommended findings, or determinations, and the Investigators, Advisers, and parties will refrain from discussion of or questions about these assessments. If such information is introduced, the Chair will direct that it be disregarded.

 

28. Testimony and Questioning

Once the Investigator(s) present their report and are questioned, the parties and witnesses may provide relevant information in turn, beginning with the Complainant, and then in the order determined by the Chair. The parties/witnesses will submit to questioning by the Decision-makers and then by the parties through their Advisers (“indirect questioning”).

All questions are subject to a relevance determination by the Chair. The Adviser, who will remain seated during questioning, will pose the proposed question orally, electronically, or in writing (orally is the default, but other means of submission may be permitted by the Chair upon request if agreed to by all parties and the Chair), the proceeding will pause to allow the Chair to consider it (and state it if it has not been stated aloud), and the Chair will determine whether the question will be permitted, disallowed, or rephrased.

The Chair may invite explanations or persuasive statements regarding relevance with the Advisers, if the Chair so chooses. The Chair will then state their decision on the question for the record and advise the party/witness to whom the question was directed, accordingly. The Chair will explain any decision to exclude a question as not relevant, or to reframe it for relevance.

The Chair will limit or disallow questions on the basis that they are irrelevant, unduly repetitious (and thus irrelevant), or abusive. The Chair has final say on all questions and determinations of relevance. The Chair may ask advisers to frame why a question is or is not relevant from their perspective but will not entertain argument from the Advisers on relevance once the Chair has ruled on a question.

If the parties raise an issue of bias or conflict of interest of an Investigator or Decision-maker at the hearing, the Chair may elect to address those issues, and/or refer them to the Title IX Coordinator, and/or preserve them for appeal. If bias is not in issue at the hearing, the Chair should not permit irrelevant questions that probe for bias.

 

29. Refusal to Submit to Cross-Examination (Indirect Questioning) and Inferences

The Decision-makers may consider statements made by parties or witnesses that are otherwise permitted by these procedures, even if those parties or witnesses do not participate in cross-examination at the live hearing, in reaching a determination regarding responsibility. This means that the Decision-makers may consider statements made by the parties and witnesses during the investigation, emails, or text exchanges between the parties in any way relating to the alleged sexual harassment, and statements about the alleged sexual harassment that satisfy the rules of relevance, regardless of whether the parties or witnesses submit to cross-examination at the live hearing. The Decision-makers may also consider police reports, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner documents, medical reports, and other documents even if those documents contain statements of a party or witness who is not cross-examined at the live hearing.

Any party or witness may choose not to offer evidence and/or answer questions at the hearing, either because they do not attend the hearing, or because they attend but refuse to participate in some or all questioning. The Decision-makers can only rely on whatever relevant evidence is available through the investigation and hearing in making the ultimate determination of responsibility. The Decision-makers may not draw any inference solely from a party’s or witness’s absence from the hearing or refusal to submit to cross-examination or answer other questions.  At the same time, the Decision-makers shall give whatever weight they deem appropriate to such evidence.

If charges of policy violations other than Title IX sexual harassment are considered at the same hearing, the Decision-makers may consider all evidence they deem relevant, and may draw reasonable inferences from any decision by any party or witness who does not participate or respond to questions.

If a party’s Adviser of choice refuses to comply with the College’s established rules of decorum for the hearing, the College may require the party to use a different Adviser. If a College-provided Adviser refuses to comply with the rules of decorum, the College may provide that party with a different Adviser to conduct cross-examination on behalf of that party.

 

30. Recording Hearings

Hearings (but not deliberations) are recorded by the College for purposes of review in the event of an appeal. The parties may not record the proceedings and no other unauthorized recordings are permitted.

The Decision-makers, the parties, their Advisers, and appropriate College administrators will be permitted to listen to the recording in a controlled environment determined by the Title IX Coordinator. No person will be given or be allowed to make a copy of the recording without permission of the Title IX Coordinator.

 

31. Deliberation, Decision-making, and Standard of Proof

After the hearing is complete, the Decision-makers will deliberate in closed session to determine whether the Respondent is responsible or not responsible for the policy violation(s) in question. A simple majority vote is required to determine the finding. The preponderance of the evidence standard of proof is used. The hearing facilitator may be invited to attend the deliberation by the Chair, but is there only to facilitate procedurally, not to address the substance of the allegations.

If the Respondent is found responsible for a policy violation on one or more of the allegations, the Decision-makers will review the previously submitted impact statements and any pertinent conduct history for the Respondent and will determine the appropriate sanction(s) after consultation with other appropriate administrators (who shall also review the impact statements). For students, sanctions based on findings of responsibility will be determined by the Decision-makers in consultation with the Office of Student Conduct. For staff, sanctions based on findings of responsibility will be determined by the Decision-makers in consultation with the Office of Human Resources. For faculty, sanctions based on findings of responsibility will be determined by the Decision-makers in consultation with the Provost. The Decision-makers and the relevant administrators may – at their discretion – consider the impact statements, but they are not binding. The Chair will ensure that each of the parties has an opportunity to review any impact statement submitted by the other party(ies).

Once a determination and sanction has been decided, the Chair will then prepare a notice of outcome and deliver it to the Title IX Coordinator, stating the determination on both responsibility and sanctions, if any.

This notice of outcome must be submitted to the Title IX Coordinator within two (2) business days of the end of deliberations, unless the Title IX Coordinator grants an extension. If an extension is granted, the Title IX Coordinator will notify the parties.

 

32. Written Determination Regarding Responsibility

Using the notice of outcome, the Title IX Coordinator will then work with the Chair to prepare a Written Determination Regarding Responsibility. The Title IX Coordinator will then share the Written Determination Regarding Responsibility with the parties and their Advisers within seven (7) business days of receiving the notice of outcome.

The Written Determination Regarding Responsibility will be shared with the parties simultaneously. Notification will be made in writing and may be delivered by one or more of the following methods: in person, mailed to the local or permanent address of the parties as indicated in official College records, or emailed to the parties’ College-issued email or otherwise approved account. Once mailed, emailed, and/or received in-person, notice will be presumptively delivered.

The Written Determination Regarding Responsibility will articulate the specific policy(ies) reported to have been violated, including the relevant policy section, and will contain a description of the procedural steps taken by the College from the receipt of the misconduct report to the determination, including any and all notifications to the parties, interviews with parties and witnesses, site visits, methods used to obtain evidence, and hearings held.

The Written Determination Regarding Responsibility will specify the finding on each alleged policy violation; the findings of fact that support the determination; conclusions regarding the application of the relevant policy to the facts at issue; a statement of, and rationale for, the result of each allegation to the extent the College is permitted to share such information under state or federal law; any sanctions issued which the College is permitted to share according to state or federal law; and whether any remedies will be provided to the Complainant designed to ensure access to the College’s educational or employment program or activity (the specific remedies, if any, that are being offered is not typically shared with the Respondent unless the remedy directly relates to the Respondent).

The Written Determination Regarding Responsibility will also include information on when the results are considered by the College to be final, any changes that occur prior to finalization, and the relevant procedures and bases for any available appeal options.

 

33. Statement of the Rights of the Parties (see Appendix A)

 

34. Sanctions

Factors considered when determining a sanction/responsive action may include, but are not limited to:

  • The nature, severity of, and circumstances surrounding the violation(s)
  • The Respondent’s disciplinary history
  • Previous allegations or allegations involving similar conduct
  • The need for sanctions/responsive actions to bring an end to the discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation
  • The need for sanctions/responsive actions to prevent the future recurrence of discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation
  • The need to remedy the effects of the discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation on the Complainant and the community
  • The impact on the parties
  • Any other information deemed relevant by the Decision-makers

The sanctions will be implemented as soon as is feasible, either upon the outcome of any appeal or the expiration of the window to appeal without an appeal being requested.

The sanctions described in this Policy are not exclusive of, and may be in addition to, other actions taken or sanctions imposed by other internal processes or external authorities.

a. Student Sanctions

The following are the usual sanctions that may be imposed upon students or organizations, singly or in combination:

  • Formal Warning: A formal statement that the conduct was unacceptable and a warning that further violation of any College policy, procedure, or directive will result in more severe sanctions/responsive actions.
  • Probation: A written reprimand for violation of institutional policy, providing for more severe disciplinary sanctions in the event that the student or organization is found in violation of any institutional policy, procedure, or directive within a specified period of time. Terms of the probation will be articulated and may include denial of specified social privileges, exclusion from co-curricular activities, exclusion from designated areas of campus, no-contact orders, and/or other measures deemed appropriate.
  • Suspension: Termination of student status for a definite period of time not to exceed two years and/or until specific criteria are met. Students who return from suspension are automatically placed on probation through the remainder of their tenure as a student at the College. The College will include a transcript notation for the duration of suspension.
  • Expulsion: Permanent termination of student status and revocation of rights to be on campus for any reason or to attend College-sponsored events. This sanction will be noted permanently as a Conduct Expulsion on the student’s official transcript.
  • Withholding Diploma: The College may withhold a student’s diploma for a specified period of time and/or deny a student participation in commencement activities as a sanction if the student is found responsible for an alleged violation.
  • Revocation of Degree: The College reserves the right to revoke a degree previously awarded from the College for fraud, misrepresentation, and/or other violation of College policies, procedures, or directives in obtaining the degree, or for other serious violations committed by a student prior to graduation.
  • Organizational Sanctions: Deactivation, loss of recognition, loss of some or all privileges (including College registration) for a specified period of time.
  • Other Actions: In addition to or in place of the above sanctions, the College may assign any other sanctions as deemed appropriate.

b. Employee Sanctions/Responsive Actions

Responsive actions for an employee who has engaged in harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation include:

  • Warning – Verbal or Written
  • Performance Improvement Plan/Management Process
  • Enhanced supervision, observation or review
  • Required Training or Education
  • Probation
  • Denial of Pay Increase/Pay Grade
  • Loss of Oversight or Supervisory Responsibility
  • Demotion
  • Transfer
  • Reassignment
  • Assignment to new supervisor
  • Suspension with pay
  • Suspension without pay
  • Termination
  • Other Actions: In addition to or in place of the above sanctions/responsive actions, the College may assign any other responsive actions as deemed appropriate.

 

35. Withdrawal or Resignation While Charges Pending

a. Students: Should either party decide not to participate, or advise that they no longer wish to participate, in the Formal Grievance Process, the Process may proceed absent their participation. Should a student Respondent permanently withdraw from the College, the resolution process may end, as the College no longer has disciplinary jurisdiction over the withdrawn student.

However, in every circumstance the College will continue to address and remedy any systemic issues or concerns that may have contributed to the alleged violation(s), and any ongoing effects of the alleged harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation. It is possible that a student who withdraws or leaves while the process is pending may not be able to return to the College. They may also be barred from College property and/or events.

If the student Respondent only withdraws or takes a leave for a specified period of time (e.g., one semester or term), the resolution process may continue remotely and that student is not permitted to return to the College unless and until there has been an outcome and all sanctions, if any, have been satisfied.

b. Employees: Should an employee Respondent resign with unresolved allegations pending, the resolution process may end, as the College no longer has disciplinary jurisdiction over the resigned employee.

However, the College will continue to address and remedy any systemic issues or concerns that contributed to the alleged violation(s), and any ongoing effects of the alleged harassment or discrimination.

 

36. Appeals

Any party may file a request for appeal (“Request for Appeal”).  It must be submitted in writing to the Title IX Coordinator within five (5) business days after that party receives the Notice of Dismissal of a Formal Complaint, or the Written Determination Regarding Responsibility.

A three-person Appeal panel chosen from the Pool will be designated by the Title IX Coordinator. No appeal panelists will have been involved in the process previously, including any dismissal appeal that may have been heard earlier in the process. A voting Chair of the Appeal panel will be designated by the Title IX Coordinator.

The Request for Appeal will be forwarded to the Appeal Chair for consideration to determine if the request meets the grounds for appeal (a Review for Standing).

This Review for Standing is not a review of the merits of the appeal, but solely a determination as to whether the request meets the grounds and is timely filed.

a. Grounds for Appeal

Appeals are limited to the following grounds:

  • Procedural irregularity that affected the outcome of the matter;
  • New evidence that was not reasonably available at the time the determination regarding responsibility or dismissal was made, that could affect the outcome of the matter; and
  • The Title IX Coordinator, Investigator(s), or Decision-maker(s) had a conflict of interest or bias for or against Complainants or Respondents generally, or the specific Complainant or Respondent, that affected the outcome of the matter.
  • A challenge to the severity of sanctions. Appeals by students based on severity of sanctions shall be determined by the Appeal Panel. Appeals by staff based on severity of sanctions shall be determined by the Office of Human Resources. Appeals by faculty based on severity of sanctions shall be determined pursuant to the procedure set forth in the faculty handbook.

If after a Review For Standing the grounds stated in the Request for Appeal do not meet the grounds in this Policy, that Request for Appeal will be denied by the Appeal Chair, and the parties and their Advisers will be notified in writing of the denial and the rationale.

If any of the grounds in the Request for Appeal meet the grounds in this Policy, as determined by the Appeal Chair, then the Title IX Coordinator will notify the parties and their Advisers, and, when appropriate, the Investigators and/or the original Decision-makers. The other party(ies) and their Advisers, the Title IX Coordinator, and, when appropriate, the Investigators and/or the original Decision-maker(s) will be mailed, emailed, and/or provided a hard copy of the request with the approved grounds and then be given five (5) business days to submit a response to the portion of the appeal that was approved and involves them. All responses will be forwarded by the Title IX Coordinator to all parties to submit a written statement in support of, or challenging, the outcome.

The non-appealing party (if any) may also choose to raise a new ground for appeal at this time. If so, that will be reviewed via a Review for Standing to determine if it meets the grounds in this Policy by the Appeal Chair and either denied or approved. If approved, it will be forwarded to the party who initially requested an appeal, the Investigators and/or original Decision-makers, as necessary, who will submit their responses in five (5) business days, which will be circulated for review and comment by all parties.

Neither party may submit any new requests for appeal after this time period. The Appeal Chair will collect any additional information needed and all documentation regarding the approved grounds and the subsequent responses will be shared with the Appeal Panel, and the Panel will render a decision in no more than seven (7) business days, barring exigent circumstances. All decisions are by majority vote and apply the preponderance of the evidence standard.

A written Notice of Appeal Outcome will be sent to all parties simultaneously including the decision on each approved ground and rationale for each decision. The Notice of Appeal Outcome will specify the finding on each ground for appeal, any specific instructions for remand or reconsideration, if appropriate, any sanctions that may result which the College is permitted to share according to state or federal law, and the rationale supporting the essential findings to the extent the College is permitted to share under state or federal law.

Notification will be made in writing and may be delivered by one or more of the following methods: in person, mailed to the local or permanent address of the parties as indicated in official institutional records, or emailed to the parties’ College-issued email or otherwise approved account. Once mailed, emailed and/or received in-person, notice will be presumptively delivered.

b. Sanctions Status During the Appeal

Any sanctions imposed as a result of the hearing are stayed during the appeal process. Supportive measures may be reinstated, subject to the same supportive measure procedures above.

If any of the sanctions are to be implemented immediately post-hearing, but pre-appeal, then emergency removal procedures (detailed above) for a hearing on the justification for doing so must be permitted within 48 hours of implementation.

The College may still place holds on official transcripts, diplomas, graduations, and course registration pending the outcome of an appeal when the original sanctions included separation.

c. Appeal Considerations for the Appeal Decision-makers

  • Appeals are not intended to provide for a full re-hearing (de novo) of the allegation(s). In most cases, appeals are confined to a review of the written documentation or record of the original hearing (or basis for dismissal of a Formal Complaint) and pertinent documentation regarding the specific grounds for appeal.
  • An appeal is not an opportunity for Appeal Decision-makers to substitute their judgment for that of the original Decision-makers or Title IX Coordinator merely because they disagree with the decision to dismiss the Formal Complaint, and/or finding.
  • The Appeal Chair/Decision-makers may consult with the Title IX Coordinator on questions of procedure, for clarification, if needed. Documentation of all such consultation will be maintained.
  • If an appeal is denied, that decision is final and there are no further appeals.
  • If an appeal is granted, and the Appeal Panel itself makes a change to the outcome or sanctions, that decision is final and there are no further appeals.
  • If the Appeal Panel grants the appeal and remands the matter to either the original Decision-makers or new Decision-makers to consider a discrete procedural or logistical issue (i.e., something that does not require a new hearing), on remand, the Decision-makers should consider that issue and either affirm or modify the initial decision on outcome and sanctions.  In this circumstance, that is the end of the matter, and no additional appeal may be taken.
  • If the Appeal Panel grants the appeal and remands the matter to the original Decision-makers or new Decision-makers and directs them to conduct a new hearing, a new hearing should be conducted.  The results of that new hearing may be appealed. 
  • In cases in which the appeal results in reinstatement to the College or resumption of privileges, all reasonable attempts will be made to restore the Respondent to their prior status, recognizing that some opportunities lost may be irreparable in the short term.

37. Long-Term Remedies/Other Actions

Following the conclusion of the resolution process, and in addition to any sanctions implemented, the Title IX Coordinator may implement additional long-term remedies or actions with respect to the parties and/or the campus community that are intended to stop the harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation, remedy the effects, and prevent reoccurrence.

These remedies/actions may include, but are not limited to:

  • Referral to counseling and health services
  • Referral to the Employee Assistance Program
  • Education to the individual and/or the community
  • Permanent alteration of housing assignments
  • Permanent alteration of work arrangements for employees
  • Provision of campus safety escorts
  • Climate surveys
  • Policy modification and/or training
  • Provision of transportation accommodations
  • Implementation of long-term contact limitations between the parties
  • Implementation of adjustments to academic deadlines, course schedules, etc.

At the discretion of the Title IX Coordinator, certain long-term support or measures may also be provided to the parties even if no policy violation is found.

When no policy violation is found, the Title IX Coordinator will address any remedies owed by the College to the Respondent to ensure no effective denial of educational access.

The College will maintain the privacy of any long-term remedies/actions/measures, provided privacy does not impair the College’s ability to provide these services.

 

38. Failure to Comply with Sanctions and/or Interim and Long-term Remedies and/or Responsive Actions

Failure to abide by the sanction(s)/action(s) imposed by the date specified, whether by refusal, neglect, or any other reason, may result in additional sanction(s)/action(s), including suspension, expulsion, and/or termination from the College and may be noted on a student’s official transcript.

A suspension will only be lifted when compliance is achieved to the satisfaction of the Title IX Coordinator.

 

39. Recordkeeping

The College will maintain for a period of at least seven years records of:

  1. Each investigation pursuant to these procedures including any determination regarding responsibility and any audio or audiovisual recording or transcript required under federal regulation;
  2. Any disciplinary sanctions imposed on the Respondent;
  3. Any remedies provided to the Complainant designed to restore or preserve equal access to the College’s education program or activity;
  4. Any appeal and the result therefrom;
  5. Any Informal Resolution and the result therefrom;
  6. All materials used to train Title IX Coordinators, Investigators, Decision-makers, and any person who facilitates an Informal Resolution or Formal Grievance Process. These training materials will be available on the sash.lafayette.edu website.
  7. Any actions, including any supportive measures, taken in response to a report or Formal Complaint of sexual harassment, including:
  • The basis for all conclusions that the response was not deliberately indifferent;
  • Any measures designed to restore or preserve equal access to the education program or activity; and
  • If no supportive measures were provided to the Complainant, document the reasons why such a response was not clearly unreasonable in light of the known circumstances.

The College will also maintain any and all records in accordance with state and federal laws.

 

40. Disabilities Accommodations in the Resolution Process

Lafayette College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations and support to qualified students, employees, or others with disabilities to ensure equal access to the College’s resolution process.

Anyone needing such accommodations or support should contact the Academic Resource Hub for Accessibility Services (for students) or the Office of Human Resources (for employees), who will review the request and, in consultation with the person requesting the accommodation and the Title IX Coordinator, determine which accommodations are appropriate and necessary for full participation in the process.

 

41. Revision of this Policy and Procedures

This Policy and procedures supersede any previous policy(ies) addressing harassment, sexual misconduct, discrimination, and/or retaliation under Title IX, and will be reviewed and, if appropriate, updated annually by the Presidential Oversight Committee on Sexual Misconduct. The College reserves the right to make changes to this document as necessary, and once those changes are posted online, they are in effect.

During the resolution process, the Title IX Coordinator may make modifications to procedures that do not materially jeopardize the fairness owed to any party, such as to accommodate summer schedules. The Title IX Coordinator may also vary procedures materially with notice (on the institutional website, with the appropriate effective date identified) upon determining that changes to law or regulation require policy or procedural alterations not reflected in this Policy and procedures.

The Policy in effect at the time of the offense will apply even if the policy is changed subsequently but prior to resolution, unless the parties consent to be bound by the current policy.

Procedures in effect at the time the incident is reported will apply to resolution of incidents, regardless of when the incident occurred.

If government laws or regulations change – or court decisions alter – the requirements in a way that impacts this document, this document will be construed to comply with the most recent government regulations or holdings.

This document does not create legally enforceable protections beyond the protection of the background state and federal laws which frame such policies and codes, generally.

The Policy and this Process A are effective August 14, 2020.


[1] If circumstances require, the President or Title IX Coordinator will designate another person to oversee the process below should an allegation be made about the Coordinator or the Coordinator be otherwise unavailable or unable to fulfill their duties.

[2] These dismissal requirements are mandated by the 2020 Title IX Regulations, 34 CFR Part 106.45.

[3] This could include an attorney, advocate, or support person. The law permits one Adviser for each party (witnesses are not entitled to Advisers within the process, though they can be advised externally).

[4] The final investigation report may be shared using electronic means that preclude downloading, forwarding, or otherwise sharing.

ATIXA 2020 ONE POLICY, TWO PROCEDURES MODEL USE AND ADAPTATION OF THIS MODEL WITH CITATION TO ATIXA IS PERMITTED THROUGH A LIMITED LICENSE TO LAFAYETTE COLLEGE. ALL OTHER RIGHTS RESERVED.
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