Title IX FAQs

General FAQs

What are some examples of sexual misconduct?

Answer
  • Inappropriate behavior may include:
    • Sexual jokes, innuendos, gestures
    • Any unnecessary, unwanted physical contact
    • Unwanted flirtation, advances, or propositions
    • Pressure for sex
    • Display of sexually suggestive objects/visuals
    • Display/transmission of sexually suggestive electronic content
    • Sexual assault (if this occurs, call the police immediately and maintain evidence)

What should I do if I feel I have experienced sexual misconduct?

Answer
• Document the problem behavior: date, time, place, witnesses, specific behaviors
• Tell the harasser that the behavior is offensive and that you want it to stop
• Report the incident in accordance with the University’s Title IX complaint procedures
• Seek counseling and personal support from Student Counseling Services

What about false allegations?

Answer
Disciplinary proceedings may be imposed on individuals who knowingly, or with reckless disregard for the truth, make false accusations of a Title IX violation.

Is sexual misconduct only male to female; supervisor to employee; faculty to student?

Answer
Sexual misconduct can happen to or be perpetrated by anyone against anyone else: women; men; non-binary; students; faculty; staff; supervisors; employees; volunteers; vendors; and/or contractors.

Will a student be disciplined when reporting a Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct Policy violation if they have illegally used drugs and/or alcohol?

Answer
The University seeks to remove any barriers to reporting sexual misconduct. The University will generally offer any student, whether the Complainant, a witness or third party, who reports sexual misconduct, limited immunity from being charged for Policy violations related to the personal ingestion of alcohol or drugs, provided that any such violations did not, and do not, place the health and safety of any person at risk. The University may choose, however, to pursue educational or therapeutic remedies for those individuals.

Will either party’s prior use of drugs and/or alcohol be a factor when reporting sexual misconduct?

Answer
Not unless there is a compelling reason to believe that prior use or abuse is relevant to the present complaint.

FAQs for Complainants

How do I make a formal report of sexual misconduct?

Answer
To initiate a formal grievance process, you must meet with the Title IX Coordinator or a Deputy Title IX Coordinator. During this meeting, the Title IX Coordinator (or Deputy) will explain the Title IX process. The Title IX Coordinator (or Deputy) will ask you to briefly explain what happened (e.g. who, what, where, when). The Title IX Coordinator (or Deputy) will also discuss the availability of supportive measures such as No Contact Orders, safe walks or other steps to assist you during the complaint resolution process. You have the right to have an advisor of your choice present during this meeting.

How long does this meeting take?

Answer
Although each case is unique, typically the initial assessment meetings take approximately 1 hour to complete.

What will the Title IX Office do with my report?

Answer
The Title IX Office will immediately review the allegations and provide the required notices as required under the Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct Policy for faculty, staff, and students. The Title IX Office will also assist the complaining party (the person affected by the misconduct) with appropriate interim measures or other accommodations that are reasonably available to protect the safety and well-being of the complainant, potential witnesses to the misconduct, and the campus community.

What happens after the initial assessment meeting with the Title IX Coordinator (or deputy)?

Answer
After the initial assessment meeting and depending on the nature of the case, one or two Investigators will be assigned. The Investigator(s) will contact you to schedule an interview.

What happens during the interview with the Investigator(s)?

Answer
The Investigator(s) will ask about what happened, requesting more details than during the initial assessment interview with the Title IX Coordinator (or Deputy). They will also request the names of witnesses and other evidence that you might have, such as text messages, emails, or photos. You will have the right to have an advisor of your choice present during the interview.

Do I have to name the perpetrator?

Answer
If you want formal disciplinary action to be taken against the alleged individual, you will have to report their name. However, if you choose to respond informally and do not file a formal complaint, you will not need to name the alleged individual. It is important to understand that the University’s ability to insure the health and safety of its members is compromised when serious allegations cannot be addressed.

Who will be informed about my complaint?

Answer
The university cannot promise complete confidentiality. Only a small group of officials who need to know will typically be told about the complaint, including but not limited to: the Title IX Office and the Campus Safety and Emergency Managament office. Information will be shared as necessary with Investigators, Advisors, Hearing Panel members/Decision-makers, witnesses, and the parties. The circle of people with this knowledge will be kept as tight as possible to preserve the parties’ rights and privacy.

Will my professors know about my complaint?

Answer
Complainants may request academic measures such as extensions on assignments and rescheduled exams. In order to preserve the privacy of students, we work with Student Access Services, which submits academic flexibility requests to faculty on behalf of the Title IX Office.

Will my parents be told?

Answer
The University’s primary relationship is to the student and not to the parent. However, in the event of major medical, disciplinary, or academic issues, students are strongly encouraged to inform their parent(s) or guardian(s). University officials will directly inform these individuals when requested to do so by a student, or in certain instances where a health or safety emergency exist.

If I report an incident, will the police be involved?

Answer
If you report an act of alleged sexual violence, police may be notified. This does not mean charges will automatically be filed or that you must speak with the police. Marymount University is legally required to notify law enforcement authorities. Marymount University also must statistically report the occurrence on campus of major violent crimes, including certain sex offenses, in an annual report of campus crime statistics. The statistical report does not include personally identifiable information.

Can I appeal the decision?

Answer
Yes, both the Complainant and Respondent have a right to appeal the decision. There are three (3) grounds for appeal:
  • A procedural irregularity so substantial as to deny the responding student a fair hearing;
  • New evidence that could not have been known or presented at the time of the original hearing that is so substantial as to have likely impacted the outcome of the original hearing; and
  • Disproportionate sanctioning for the violation in question.

How can the Title IX Office help me if I do not want to make a formal report?

Answer
The Title IX Coordinator (or Deputy) can assist you even if you choose not to go through the formal grievance process. The Title IX Coordinator (or deputy) can arrange supportive measures such as No Contact Orders, safe walks, or other steps to assist you in achieving your educational objectives.

What happens if the Respondent leaves Marymount before the investigation or hearing has concluded?

Answer
In the vast majority of cases, if the Respondent is no longer enrolled, then the matter will proceed as if they were still enrolled but elected not to participate (and the individual may elect to begin or continue participation at any time). If the Respondent is a student who withdrawals or graduates from Marymount while a Title IX case is pending, the Respondent will have a notation on their transcript until the case is finalized.

What if I am retaliated against?

Answer
Those who report sexual misconduct or who are involved in the investigation as witnesses are protected against retaliation by University policy as well as state and federal law. The University will take appropriate action toward those individuals who retaliate against someone because they filed a complaint; encouraged someone to file a complaint; served as a witness in an investigation; or otherwise participated in an investigation. If you feel you are being retaliated against, please contact the Title IX Office immediately.

FAQs for Respondents

What do I do if I am accused of a Title IX violation?

Answer
Do not contact the alleged victim. You may immediately want to contact someone in the University community who can act as your advisor. You may also contact a Title IX Coordinator (or Deputy), who can explain the University’s procedures for dealing with Title IX complaints. You should also review the full MU Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct Policy.

What information will I receive about the complaint?

Answer
You will receive the following information from the Title IX Office notifying you about the complaint during an in-person meeting:
  • The Complainant’s name
  • The specific alleged policy violation(s)
  • Date(s), approximate time(s), and location(s) of the alleged policy violation(s)
  • Brief description of the allegation(s)

What happens during the meeting with the Title IX Office?

Answer
A representative from the Title IX Office will explain the grievance process and your rights during the process. The representative will discuss any changes to your courses or residence that may be necessary during this process. The representative will also discuss the availability of supportive measures such as No Contact Orders  or other steps to assist you during the complaint resolution process. You have the right to have an advisor of your choice present during this meeting.

How long does this meeting take?

Answer
Although each case is unique, typically the initial assessment meetings take approximately 1 hour to complete.

What happens after the initial assessment meeting with the Title IX Coordinator (or deputy)?

Answer
After the initial meeting and depending on the nature of the case, one or two Investigators will be assigned. The Investigator(s) will contact you to schedule an interview.

What happens during the interview with the investigator(s)?

Answer
The Investigator(s) will ask about what happened, requesting more details than during the assessment interview with the Title IX Coordinator (or Deputy). They will also request the names of witnesses and other evidence that you might have, such as text messages, emails, or photos. You will have the right to have an advisor of your choice present during the interview.

Who will be informed about the complaint?

Answer
Only a small group of officials who need to know will typically be told about the complaint, including but not limited to: the Title IX office and the Campus Safety and Emergency Management office. Information will be shared as necessary with Investigators, Advisors, Hearing Panel members/Decision-makers, witnesses, and the parties. The circle of people with this knowledge will be kept as tight as possible to preserve the parties’ rights and privacy.

Will my professors know about the complaint?

Answer
Respondents may request academic measures such as extensions on assignments and rescheduled exams. In order to preserve the privacy of students, we work with Student Access Services, which submits academic flexibility requests to faculty on behalf of the Title IX Office.

Will my parents be told?

Answer
The University’s primary relationship is to the student and not to the parent. However, in the event of major medical, disciplinary, or academic issues, students are strongly encouraged to inform their parents or guardian. University officials will directly inform these individuals when requested to do so by a student, or in certain instances where a health or safety emergency exist.

Can I appeal the decision?

Answer
Yes, both the Complainant and Respondent have a right to appeal the decision. There are three grounds for appeal:
  • A procedural irregularity so substantial as to deny the responding student a fair hearing;
  • New evidence that could not have been known or presented at the time of the original hearing that is so substantial as to have likely impacted the outcome of the original hearing; and
  • Disproportionate sanctioning for the violation in question

What happens if I leave Marymount before the investigation or hearing has concluded?

Answer
In the vast majority of cases, if the Respondent is no longer enrolled, then the matter will proceed as if they were still enrolled but elected not to participate (and the individual may elect to begin or continue participation at any time). If the Respondent is a student who withdrawals or graduates from Marymount while a Title IX case is pending, the Respondent will have a notation on their transcript until the case is finalized.