FAQs

When a case of sexual or interpersonal misconduct is reported to the Department of Public Safety (DPS), DPS on-duty manager and investigator are notified. DPS promptly notifies the Title IX Coordinator and either DPS, the Title IX Coordinator, or designee, will reach out to the individual who filed the report to go over on- and off-campus resources, gather information regarding the incident, discuss filing a formal complaint and/or moving forward with the investigation process.

Certain instances of sexual or interpersonal misconduct rise to the level of a felony (including sexual assault, rape, forced oral copulation, stalking and domestic and dating violence) and are therefore automatically reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Complainants are encouraged to file a report with local law enforcement but are informed that it is their right to decide whether to file or not to file. DPS will assist reporting parties in filing a report with law enforcement if they decide to go forward.

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) investigators conduct the investigation and will meet with all relevant individuals (i.e. Complainant(s), Respondent(s) and Witness(es)). DPS investigators will gather information about what occurred, who was involved, where it occurred, and when. 

During a sexual or interpersonal misconduct investigation (including Title IX Sexual Harassment), all interviews are conducted, and all evidence is gathered, by DPS. Advisors are able to attend all meetings that take place between their Advisee and DPS. Advisors are not allowed to participate in these meetings, they may only provide support to their Advisee. 

In Title IX Cases, as soon as a formal complaint is filed, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) will inform the Respondent that an allegation of sexual or interpersonal misconduct has been made against them, that they have a right to an Advisor, and that supportive measures are available for them. The Respondent will then be contacted by DPS to schedule a meeting with DPS investigator. 

In non-Title IX Cases, DPS will contact the Respondent to bring them in for questioning.

As was assigned to the Complainant when the report of Title IX sexual harassment/sexual or interpersonal misconduct was initiated, the Respondent is assigned a separate Student Affairs Resource Administrator (SARA). The SARA reviews the conduct process, explains resources available to the student and offers assistance with additional supportive measures. 

The Student Affairs Resource Administrator (SARA) reviews the following supportive measure considerations with both the Complainant and Respondent: 

• Residential: e.g. do the students live in the same building? 
• Academic: e.g. do the students have the same class or classes?
• Faculty Notifications: e.g. do the students want their faculty notified for any reason?
• Transportation: e.g. does the student desire to have an escort from Public Safety?
• Work: e.g. do the students work in the same office or department on campus? 

Yes. 

Students may select who they would like to have as their Advisors. In Title IX proceedings, an Advisor is required. In either conduct process, if a student does not have an Advisor, the Office of Student Conduct and Community Responsibility can assign one. However, in non-Title IX proceedings, students are not required to have an Advisor. 

Advisors can be anyone regardless of affiliation with the University. Advisors may be, but do not have to be attorneys. 

In Title IX hearings with cross examination, the Advisor's role is to assist students in understanding the conduct process during hearings and to ask questions of the opposing parties and witnesses. An Advisor may not appear in lieu of the student. 

In non-Title IX hearings with cross examination, the Advisor's role is to assist students in understanding the conduct process during hearings. An Advisor may not address the Conduct Officer(s)/Hearing Board or play any other role during the hearings. All communication involving Advisors must be between the Advisor and the Advisee. An Advisor may not appear in lieu of the student. 

There are two Conduct Officers assigned to each case. Conduct Officers are trained to adjudicate these cases. If the decision of the case is appealed, the appeal is heard by the Student Conduct Committee. The Student Conduct Committee is comprised of faculty, staff and students, and a minimum of three people (one faculty and one student) is needed to make quorum. 

Preponderance of evidence - the standard of proof which requires the University to prove that the evidence presented is more convincing than not. 

The information in the investigation report completed by Department of Public Safety investigators, evidence presented during the hearings, the statements made by the Complainant and Respondent during the hearing and the witness statements are considered in making a determination on the outcome of the case.

The nature and gravity of the offenses for which a Respondent is found responsible as well as any aggravating or mitigating circumstances together with the Respondent's disciplinary history, if any, are considered in determining what sanctions will be imposed, if any. 

There is no statute of limitations on Title IX sexual harassment or sexual and interpersonal misconduct claims in the conduct process. 

Being under the influence of substances is not an excuse for violating the Student Conduct Code.

Yes. View more information about the Good Samaritan and Self-Reporting Policy.