Hodges Student Handbook

result as to each allegation, including a determination regarding responsibility, any disciplinary sanctions to be imposed on the Respondent, and whether remedies designed to restore or preserve equal access to the University’s educational programs or activities will be provided to the Complainant; and • The procedures and permissible bases for the Complainant and Respondent to appeal. The Title IX Coordinator will provide the written determination to the parties simultaneously. Appeals A respondent or complainant may appeal: (1) a determination regarding responsibility, and (2) the University’s dismissal of a formal complaint or any allegations therein. If a party wishes to appeal a determination regarding responsibility or the dismissal of a formal complaint, the party must submit written notice to the Title IX Coordinator of the party’s intent to appeal within 10 days of receiving the written notification of the appealable decision. A respondent or complainant may appeal on the following bases: • Procedural irregularity that affected the determination regarding responsibility or dismissal of the matter; • New evidence that was not reasonably available at the time the determination regarding responsibility or dismissal was made that could affect the determination regarding responsibility or dismissal of the matter; and • The Title IX Coordinator, investigator(s), or decision-maker(s) had a conflict of interest or bias for or against complainants or respondents generally or the individual complainant or respondent that affected the determination regarding responsibility or dismissal of the matter. The professional experience of an individual need not disqualify the person from the ability to serve impartially. Furthermore, bias is not demonstrated by working in complainants’

or respondents’ rights organization. In addition to the three bases for appeal, University reserves the right to add additional bases for appeal that will be available equally to both the respondent and the complainant. Any additional bases of appeal that are added will not be applied retroactively to previous determinations and dismissals. When a party submits a written notice of its intent to appeal to the Title IX Coordinator within 10 days of the appealable decision, University will notify the other party in writing and implement appeal procedures equally for both parties. If no written notice of either party’s intent to appeal is sent, then the written determination becomes final after the time period to file an appeal (10 days) has expired. Each party will be given a reasonable, equal opportunity to submit a written statement in support of, or challenging, the outcome. Each party will have at least 10 days to submit its written statement. If a party needs additional time, it can request such additional time from the decision maker for the appeal. Such requests will be granted on a case-by-case basis. If the decision maker for the appeal grants a request for additional time to submit a written statement, all parties will be granted the additional time. The decision-maker for the appeal will not be the same person as the decision-maker(s) that reached the determination regarding responsibility or dismissal, the investigator(s), or the Title IX Coordinator. The decision-maker for the appeal will issue a written decision describing the result of the appeal and the rationale for the result. This decision will be provided to both parties simultaneously and in writing. Once the appeal decision has been sent to the parties, the appeal decision is final. Clery Act Compliance The University is required to include for statistical reporting purposes the occurrence of certain incidents in its Annual Security Report (ASR). Neither the names of individuals

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Hodges University Student Handbook

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