Roles in the Process

SMC Title IX Policy and Procedures

There are many roles that support the College's response to reports of sexual harassment and misconduct. Below is a brief description of these roles and their responsibilities. 

Title IX Coordinator

• Oversees Title IX Compliance 
• Supports the Deputy Title IX Coordinators
• Ensures prompt and equitable resolutions
• Establishes a centralized reporting process for all sexual harassment/ misconduct allegations on campus
• Conducts ongoing and annual climate checks, tracking, and monitoring of sexual harassment/ misconduct allegations on campus
• Coordinates all training, education, and prevention efforts 

Deputy Title IX Coordinator 

• Supports the Title IX Coordinator and holds a specialized focus-- Students, Faculty/ Staff, and Athletics
• Serves as a non-decision making facilitator in the process
• Conducts intakes of reports and implements supportive measures 
• May manage informal resolution processes

Title IX Investigator

• Supports the Deputy Title IX Coordinators with investigations
• Serves as a non-decision making fact finder in the process
• Conducts interviews and collects evidence
• Identifies relevant witnesses 
• Compiles findings into a formal investigative report

Advisor 

• Accompanies the reporting and responding parties in the process, but does not serve as an advocate or representative
• May be a person of the parties' choosing, including an attorney; if not chosen, an advisor may be assigned for a live hearing
• Asks questions on behalf of the parties in the cross-examination portion of the live hearing

Decision-Maker

• Serves as the decision-maker in the process once it reaches a live hearing
• May not have any conflict of interests or biases in favor of or against either party
• May not be the Title IX Coordinator, Investigator, or Advisor for either party 

     Disciplinary Hearing Board (DHB)- Students

• A panel of three (3) decision-makers with one of them serving as the Chair

     Single Decision-Maker- Employees

Appeals Panelist

• Serves as the decision-maker in the student process after (1) the dismissal of a formal complaint or any included allegations and/or (2) determination regarding responsibility 
• May not have any conflicts of interests or biases in favor or against either party
• May not be the Title IX Coordinator, Investigator, or decision-makers/DHB panelists for that specific matter

Confidential Resource

• Does not have an obligation to report knowledge of sexual harassment and/or sexual misconduct to College officials
• Includes counselors in Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), the Director of the CARE Center, and Clergy in a confessional role