We believe that everyone within our school community has the right to receive fair and just treatment regardless of sex or gender. To support this commitment, KPSOM has established a Title IX program. Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex- and gender-based discrimination in educational institutions and requires us to take prompt and effective steps to end incidents of sexual harassment, eliminate the hostile environment it creates, prevent recurrence of the behavior, and remedy its effects.

After an investigation of the alleged conduct, the matter will be referred to a hearing.

For more information, see Policy Violations.

The school reserves the right to impose any level of sanction, ranging from a reprimand up to and including suspension or dismissal/termination, for any offense under this policy.

A respondent who is found responsible for violation of this policy is subject to sanctions and remedies up to and including expulsion and permanent removal from the school based on the disciplinary codes applicable to the respondent.

• Student as the respondent: The Academic Catalog contains the current list of potential student sanctions
• Faculty as the respondent: The Faculty Handbook contains the current list of potential faculty sanctions
• Staff as the respondent: The school has adopted a philosophy of progressive discipline. However, one violation of this policy could result in termination of employment.

Following receipt by the Title IX Coordinator of a complaint or notice of an alleged violation of the policy, the Title IX Coordinator will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and discuss potential supportive measures, if applicable.

The school will accept a notice or complaint of a violation of this policy verbally, online, by email, or a report using the Ethics and Compliance Hotline. For details, see Report a Concern.

No. Complainants may choose to report to the school, make a police report, or both, or neither. A Title IX investigation at the school is separate from any criminal or legal process.

The Title IX Coordinator will consider the complainant’s request not to proceed, bearing in mind the responsibility to ensure the safety of the campus and comply with state and federal law.

In certain circumstances, the Title IX Coordinator will proceed with a formal complaint of prohibited conduct even if a complainant does not wish for their name to be shared, does not wish for an investigation to take place, or does not want to pursue a formal complaint.

The Title IX Coordinator has ultimate discretion over whether the school proceeds with a complaint even if the complainant does not wish to move forward.

Be supportive. Listen to what your friend has to say, then encourage them to report the incident to the police or the Title IX Coordinator. You may also suggest that they contact Student Psychological Services. Also, consider reporting the incident yourself.

In accordance with federal law and school policy, information will only be shared with those with a legitimate need to know. This means that the individuals usually informed about complaints and any associated investigations are those involved in the investigation and possible adjudication processes.

Your privacy is a priority to the school. However, limited information sometimes must be disclosed in order to fully investigate a complaint. If you are concerned about confidentiality, please discuss this with the Title IX Coordinator.

You do not need to bring anything with you to meet with the Title IX Coordinator or investigators unless you have information that you would like to share with them, such as text messages, photos, or other digital or physical documentation.

Any information or documentation you share will be provided to the other party (complainant or respondent) later in the process during the information review period. You may bring a list of witnesses with whom you would like the investigators to meet. You are welcome to bring an advisor of your choice with you.

The investigators will ask you questions and take notes. The questions are voluntary and you may decline to answer. The investigators will ask you about what happened and allow you the opportunity to share as much or as little as you like. The investigators will ask if there are any potential witnesses with whom you would like the investigators to meet as part of their investigation. The investigators will also ask for any potential information or documentation (texts, screenshots, emails, photos, or other) that may help them better understand the incident(s) in question. The investigators will end the meeting by asking you if there is anything you would like to share, including documentation or other information you would like them to consider. If there is information you want the investigators to have, and that they did not ask about specifically, you are encouraged to share that information.

You have the right to have an advisor of your choice present during all meetings that you participate in during the process.

All investigations will be conducted in a thorough, reliable, impartial, prompt, and fair manner. Investigations involve interviews with all relevant parties and witnesses; obtaining available, relevant evidence; and identifying sources of expert information, as necessary.

All parties will be granted a full and fair opportunity, through the investigation process, to suggest witnesses and questions, to provide evidence and expert witnesses, and to review and respond to all evidence on the record.

Each interviewed party and witness will have the opportunity to review and verify the investigator’s summary notes (or transcript) of the relevant evidence and testimony from their respective interviews and meetings.

For a full description of the process, investigator duties and obligations, and the role and participation of witnesses in the investigation, see Investigations.

While the school does not compel complainants, respondents, or witnesses to participate in investigations or hearings, the parties should be aware that participating in the fact-finding process is almost always a crucial component of the school’s ability to fully gather and analyze information.

The complainant may work with the Title IX Coordinator to withdraw their formal complaint. The complainant is not required to participate in this investigation or in any subsequent actions taken by the school.

In all cases, the final decision on whether, how, and to what extent the school will conduct an investigation or proceed to hearing, and whether other measures will be taken in connection with a report of prohibited conduct, rests solely with the Title IX Coordinator.

The Title IX Coordinator may determine if the complainant’s lack of participation requires that the decision-making process be discontinued.

In those instances when the Title IX Coordinator determines that the school must proceed with an investigation and hearing process despite the wishes of the complainant, the Title IX Coordinator will notify the complainant that the school intends to initiate an investigation.

The process for a hearing will be based on the type of prohibited conduct as defined by the policy.

For more information, see Policy Violations.

The hearing officer is the decision-maker who determines the outcome of the hearing. The hearing officer will oversee the hearing with the support of the administrative facilitator.

For more information, see Hearings.

The parties may each have an advisor present with them for all meetings and interviews within the resolution process if the party so chooses. The parties may select an advisor of their choice, provided the selected advisor is willing, eligible, and available.

For more information, see Advisors.

After a hearing has been convened, and within five business days of receiving the hearing outcome, the parties will have an opportunity to submit a written appeal outlining why they believe one or more of the criteria for appeal exists in their case.

For more information, see Appeals.

Either party, respondent or complainant, may request an appeal.

The appeal process will be determined on the findings of Tier I or Tier II violations. The appeal panel will decide the appeal.

For more information, such as grounds and time limits for an appeal, see Appeals.

Any sanctions imposed as a result of the hearing stay during the appeal process. Supportive measures may be reinstated, as warranted.

The school is following up on a reported concern and believes you may have relevant information.

When the investigators identify someone as a witness, it is typically because they believe that person may have relevant information, not because that person is under investigation.

Both the complainant and respondent are entitled to certain rights concerning privacy and other matters.

For more information, see Rights of Parties.

In accordance with the policy and school processes, reasonable accommodations and support will be provided to qualified students, staff, faculty, or others with disabilities to ensure equal access to the school’s resolution process. Please contact the Title IX Coordinator regarding your accommodation requirements.

Supportive measures are available regardless of whether the complainant chooses to report full details (such as the name of the respondent) to the school.

For more information, see Supportive Measures.