Roles in the Process

Roles in the Process Roles in the Process
Body

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