Support from Title IX

Supportive Measures | Due Process | Notice of Investigation and Allegations | Choose an Advisor 

In representing a neutral office, the Title IX response team’s main role is to assist all parties who have been involved in a report or complaint of power-based violence or sexual misconduct. 

A respondent is an individual who has been reported to have engaged in actions that may constitute power-based violence or sexual misconduct. Discovering that a complaint has been filed against you can be a daunting and emotional experience. Emotional support and processing of your thoughts and feelings could be helpful measures to take if you are in this position. If a formal complaint is filed against you, you will receive a Notice of Investigation and Allegations (NOIA) and the Title IX Case Manager will meet with you to outline next steps. 

Power based violence includes, but is not limited to sexual discrimination or harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, sexual exploitation (voyeurism, or the obtaining, posting or disclosure of intimate descriptions, photos, or videos without the express consent or the persons depicted therein), as well as crimes of a sexual nature as defined in Title 14 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes or at La. R.S. 44:51. There is significant overlap between Title IX and Power-based violence and Permanent Memorandum 73 contains one process for addressing power-based and sex-based harassment, discrimination, and violence.  

Our office is committed to providing you with support and helping you navigate the process. You will receive due process under policy and will be treated fairly. You also have right to be presumed not responsible of all allegations until found responsible for the alleged conduct by a hearing panel.

 

Supportive Measures 

Supportive measures are free, nonpunitive, individualized services designed to restore or preserve equal access to education and to protect student and employee safety. Supportive measures are offered as appropriate, as reasonably available, and without fee or charge to the complainant or the respondent. Supportive measures are kept private to the extent possible. 

 

Due Process 

Respondents are considered innocent of reported allegations and the burden is on LSU to investigate the allegations and summarize all the evidence in a final report to be submitted to a hearing panel for adjudication of the allegations.  

Notice of Investigation and Allegations

If a formal complaint is filed against you, you will receive an email with the Notice of Investigation and Allegations (NOIA) and the Title IX Case Manager will meet with you to outline next steps. A copy of the NOIA is also sent to the complainant, who typically gets some advance notice that the NOIA is being sent. The NOIA includes: 

• A summary of all of allegations,
• The identity of the involved parties (if known),
• The precise misconduct being alleged,
• The date and location of the alleged incident(s) (if known),
• A copy of PM-73,
• A description of the applicable procedures via PM-73,
• A statement that LSU presumes the Respondent is not responsible for the reported misconduct unless and until the evidence supports a different determination,
• A statement that determinations of responsibility are made at the conclusion of the process and that the parties will be given an opportunity to inspect and review all directly related and/or relevant evidence obtained during the review and comment period, 
• A statement about LSU’s policy on retaliation,
• Information on the need for each party to have an Advisor of their choosing
• A statement informing the parties that LSU Policy prohibits knowingly making false statements, including knowingly submitting false information during the resolution process,
• The name(s) of the Investigator(s), along with a process to identify, in advance of the interview process, to the Title IX Coordinator any conflict of interest that the Investigator(s) may have, and 
• Information on how to receive Supportive Measures
• An appointment date to meet with the Title IX Case Manager in order to ask questions, learn rights, and understand procedure.

Amendments and updates to the NOIA may be made as the investigation progresses and more information becomes available regarding the addition or dismissal of various charges. 

Choosing an Advisor 

Advisors play a crucial role in OCR&TIX proceedings and investigations by providing knowledge, support, advocacy, and procedural assistance. Additionally, parties are required to have an advisor during the hearing panel proceedings due the cross-examination process. 

Parties have the right to an advisor of choice, meaning that anyone may serve as an advisor, as long as they are able to comply with LSU’s rules and guidelines. An advisor could be a friend or relative, a volunteer, or an attorney. All parties going through the grievance process have a right to an advisor at any time during the grievance process. If a party does not have an advisor during the hearing phase of the process, OCR&TIX can provide one, chosen from the trained Formal Resolution Pool which is made up of staff and faculty. 

If a formal complaint has been made against you, and you receive notification of allegation and investigation, it is highly recommended that you obtain an advisor as early as possible to assist with navigating the process and to provide you with support and perspective.