Reporting Alleged Violations of this Policy; Investigation
An individual who has a complaint against a student, faculty, staff member, or other individual involving an alleged violation of this policy should contact the appropriate official as designated below either by telephone or in writing. The School will promptly and equitably investigate and resolve all suspected or alleged violations of this policy. Although there is no specific time limit for reporting a suspected violation of this policy, an individual who believes that he or she has been subjected to conduct that violates this policy is encouraged to contact the appropriate official as soon as possible after the alleged act of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation to discuss the available options for proceeding.
Alleged violations of the ADA/Section 504 Reasonable Accommodations Policy shall be reported to the designated ADA/504 Coordinator for that campus.
Alleged violations of the Policy Against Sex Discrimination should be reported to the Deputy Title IX Coordinator identified above. In addition to contacting the Deputy Title IX Coordinator for his or her school, a student who has experienced a sexual assault or other act of sexual violence may contact proper law enforcement authorities (e.g., by calling 911), including local police and any law enforcement officials at the school, about possibly filing a criminal complaint. The Deputy Title IX Coordinator is available to assist students in making contact with appropriate law enforcement authorities upon request. Any pending criminal investigation or criminal proceeding may have some impact on the timing of the School’s investigation, but the School will commence its own investigation as soon as is practicable under the circumstances. The School reserves the right to commence and/or complete its own investigation prior to the completion of any criminal investigation or criminal proceeding.
All other alleged violations of this policy should be reported to the Deputy Title IX Coordinator identified above.
Depending upon the nature of the alleged or suspected policy violation, the relevant official (or his or her designee) will conduct an investigation either alone or with one or more other school officials as deemed appropriate by the school. The investigation of any suspected or alleged violation of this policy will be completed within 60 days of the filing of a complaint or the date on which the school becomes aware of a suspected violation of this policy unless the school determines in its discretion that more time is required to complete the investigation. The nature and extent of the investigation will vary depending upon the circumstances, including whether the parties are amendable to pursuing an informal resolution (and the matter is eligible for informal resolution, as discussed below). As part of the investigation, the relevant official (or his or her designee) will seek to interview the complainant and the accused. To help ensure a prompt and thorough investigation, complainants are asked to provide as much information as possible:
- The name, department, and position of the person or persons allegedly causing the prohibited discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.
- A description of any relevant incident(s), including the date(s), location(s), and the presence of any witnesses.
- The alleged effect of the incident(s) on the complainant’s opportunity to benefit from the school’s programs or activities.
- The names of other individuals who might have been subject to the same or similar acts of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.
- Although it is not required, any steps the complainant has taken to try to stop the discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.
- Any other information the complainant believes to be relevant to the alleged discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.
Any accused parties are also expected to provide as much information as possible in connection with the investigation.
The school reserves the right to suspend any member of the school community suspected or accused of violating this policy or to take any other interim measures the school deems appropriate, pending the outcome of an investigation or grievance. Such interim measures can include, but are not limited to, removing a student from campus housing, modifying course schedules, and issuing a “no contact” order. In situations involving suspected or alleged violations of the Policy Against Sex Discrimination, the School also reserves the right to take steps to protect the complainant as deemed necessary during the pendency of the investigation and resolution process (e.g., allowing for a change in academic situation, issuing a “no contact” order to the accused, etc.). Any such interim steps will be taken in a manner that minimizes the burden on the complainant to the extent possible.