Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
What happens after I make a report?
You will be contacted by CRC’s Intake Specialist for an initial conversation. Part of this discussion includes learning more about your particular situation and what outcome you would like to see. Not every case requires a formal investigation, and the Intake Specialist will work with you to help determine what next steps are right in your case. If needed, the Intake Specialist can help arrange supportive measures during the initial meeting.
Will the information I share be kept confidential?
Please note that the Office of Civil Rights Compliance & Title IX is not designated as a confidential office. We take privacy concerns seriously and, in accordance with policy, the information is shared only when necessary and only to those who need to know.
If there is an investigation, what does the process look like?
A formal investigation is one possibility for the resolution process. It involves informing the person being accused of the allegations (the Respondent), speaking with witnesses, and collecting relevant evidence. You and the Respondent will be contacted by the Investigator for an initial interview and may be contacted for further interviews as the investigation progresses. You may be asked to identify witnesses and provide evidence. The investigator will prepare a report for your and the Respondent’s review. A live hearing with a neutral decision-maker will follow.
What is the role of the Investigator?
The Investigator is a neutral party responsible for conducting a complete, thorough, and impartial investigation. The Investigator is not an advocate for either party. The Intake Specialist can continue to assist the parties with accommodations and supportive measures as needed during the course of the investigation.
Do I need an attorney?
You have the right to select an advisor of your choice to accompany you to any meetings or proceedings related to this investigation. Your advisor may be anyone you choose, including, but not limited to, an attorney.
What is an advisor/support person?
An advisor and a support person are two distinct roles, both of which you can choose to have accompany you during an interview, investigation, or hearing.
- Advisor – An advisor is someone you designate to help you navigate the investigation and hearing process. If the case proceeds to a hearing, your advisor is responsible for questioning the opposing party and witnesses on your behalf. Advisors can be attorneys, advocates, faculty members, or another trusted individual.
- Support Person – A support person provides emotional support and reassurance throughout the process. Unlike an advisor, they do not actively participate in questioning or procedural discussions. Their role is simply to be present, offering comfort and guidance as you move through each step.
I received a Notice of Investigation letter. Am I in trouble?
No decision has been made in your case. Receiving a Notice of Investigation is simply to inform you that an investigation is underway. There are many possible resolutions to the case—the complaint could be dismissed, you could be found not responsible, you could be found responsible, or an informal resolution could be sought.
Will the information I share be kept confidential?
Please note that the Office of Civil Rights Compliance & Title IX is not designated as a confidential office. We take privacy concerns seriously and, in accordance with policy, the information is shared only when necessary and only to those who need to know.
If there is an investigation, what does the process look like?
A formal investigation is one possibility for the resolution process. It involves speaking with witnesses and collecting relevant evidence. You will be contacted by the Investigator for an initial interview and may be contacted for further interviews as the investigation progresses. You may be asked to identify witnesses and provide evidence. The investigator will prepare a report for your and the Complainant’s review. A live hearing with a neutral decision-maker will follow.
What is the role of the Investigator?
The Investigator is a neutral party responsible for conducting a complete, thorough, and impartial investigation. The Investigator is not an advocate for either party. The Intake Specialist can continue to assist the parties with accommodations and supportive measures as needed during the course of the investigation.
Am I entitled to supportive measures?
Yes. The Intake Specialist can help coordinate supportive measures, such as counseling.
Do I need an attorney?
You have the right to select an advisor of your choice to accompany you to any meetings or proceedings related to this investigation. Your advisor may be anyone you choose, including, but not limited to, an attorney.
What is an advisor/support person?
An advisor and a support person are two distinct roles, both of which you can choose to have accompany you during an interview, investigation, or hearing.
- Advisor – An advisor is someone you designate to help you navigate the investigation and hearing process. If the case proceeds to a hearing, your advisor is responsible for questioning the opposing party and witnesses on your behalf. Advisors can be attorneys, advocates, faculty members, or another trusted individual.
- Support Person – A support person provides emotional support and reassurance throughout the process. Unlike an advisor, they do not actively participate in questioning or procedural discussions. Their role is simply to be present, offering comfort and guidance as you move through each step.
What is my role in the investigation process as an Advisor?
As an Advisor, you are permitted to accompany the individual you are working with to any interview, meeting, or hearing. Your role is to assist their advisee in navigating the process. They are welcome to ask clarifying questions about the process of the Investigator or the Title IX Coordinator. They are not, however, permitted to answer questions on behalf of the interviewee, nor are they permitted to conduct their own interviews or investigations.
What is my role in a live hearing as an Advisor?
Advisors have to attend the live hearing. Advisors must conduct cross-examination at the hearing (parties are not allowed to do this themselves).
What is my role in the investigation process as a Support Person?
As a Support Person, you are emotional or personal support throughout the Title IX process. You do not have a formal or required role in any part of this process. You cannot speak on behalf of the party, ask questions, or participate in the investigation or the hearing.
What is my role in a live hearing as a Support Person?
As a Support Person, you are not permitted to attend the live hearing at any point.
I got an email from the Investigator asking me to set up an interview. Am I in trouble?
If you have been identified as a witness, you are believed to have information that may be helpful to the investigation. You are not in trouble.
What if I don’t want to participate as a witness?
If you are worried about participating, please reach out to CRC so that we can talk to you about the process. Ultimately, it is your choice to participate in the Title IX process (barring certain exceptions). Information provided by witnesses is vital to the Title IX process. We strongly encourage you to assist our office in investigating whether university policy has been violated.
I don’t know what happened/I wasn’t involved/I don’t know anything. Do I still have to interview?
If you are being contacted by CRC, you have likely been identified by a party as someone who might have information that is pertinent to the investigation. We would appreciate you coming in for an interview, even if you don’t think you have much information to share.
Can I talk about my interview with my friends?
While you aren’t required to keep the fact that you had an interview with CRC a secret, we do expect that you keep the details of the interview and the case confidential. Discussing the details of your conversation can damage the integrity of the investigation as well as violate the privacy of other parties involved.
Please understand that we cannot share information about students without their explicit permission via FERPA release. We know that finding out your child is involved in a Title IX case can be worrying, but we take student privacy very seriously.
Both the complainant and the respondent are provided with an equal opportunity to inspect all facts and evidence gathered during the investigation process as well as ample time to respond to requests for information or participate in interviews. An advisor/support person may assist either party throughout the process. You may serve as your student’s advisor/support person if that is the student’s wish.
