resolution of the complaint. The Title IX Coordinator will investigate the complaint and report the findings of the investigation to the Executive Vice President for action. The complainant will be notified of the outcome of the complaint and any remedies provided by the Bible Institute to resolve any incidents of sex discrimination. . Formal Complaints of Sexual Harassment: A formal complaint of sexual harassment must be filed before the Bible Institute will initiate its grievance process. The formal complaint can either be filed by a complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator. The complainant may submit a formal complaint to the Title IX Coordinator in person, by mail, or by electronic mail. The formal complaint must include the complainant’s physical or digital signature, or otherwise indicate that the complainant is the person filing the formal complaint. At the time of filing a formal complaint, the complainant must be participating in or attempting to participate in an education program or activity of the Bible Institute. In cases where the complainant does not choose to file a formal complaint but where the Title IX Coordinator after considering all of the circumstances determines that the Bible Institute must initiate the grievance process to avoid being deliberately indifferent (such as when an individual or other members of the community may be at risk), the Title IX Coordinator may sign the formal complaint. The Bible Institute will not act with deliberate indifference in response to any formal complaint. . Dismissal of a Formal Complaint: The Bible Institute must dismiss a formal complaint, if at any time during the investigation or hearing, the Bible Institute determines that (1) the alleged misconduct does not meet the definition of sexual harassment; (2) the alleged misconduct did not occur within the Bible Institute’s “education program or activity” (defined above); or (3) the alleged misconduct occurred against a complainant located outside of the United States. The Bible Institute may also dismiss a formal complaint, if at any time during the investigation or hearing: (1) the complainant notifies the Title IX Coordinator in writing that the complainant would like to withdraw the formal complaint or any allegations therein; (2) the respondent is no longer enrolled at or employed by the Bible Institute; or (3) specific circumstances prevent the Bible Institute from gathering evidence sufficient to reach a determination as to the formal complaint or allegations therein. The Title IX Coordinator will promptly send written notice of the dismissal and reason(s) therefor simultaneously to the parties (complainant and respondent) and will also notify the complainant of the right to appeal a dismissal. See below for more information on appeals. . Consolidation of Formal Complaints: The Bible Institute may consolidate formal complaints as to allegations of sexual harassment against more than one respondent, or by more than one complainant against one or more respondents, or by one party against the other party, where the allegations of sexual harassment arise out of the same facts or circumstances. D. Sexual Harassment Grievance Process This grievance process allows for the prompt and equitable resolution of formal complaints of sexual harassment through either an informal or formal resolution process (both of which are set forth below), and the Bible Institute will respond promptly in a manner that is not deliberately indifferent (i.e., clearly unreasonable in light of the known circumstances). The grievance process includes a presumption that the respondent is not responsible for the alleged conduct until a determination regarding responsibility is made at the conclusion of the grievance process, and the Bible Institute will not impose any disciplinary sanctions against a respondent until a determination of responsibility is made. All decision-makers involved in the grievance process are required to make an objective evaluation of all relevant evidence – including both inculpatory and exculpatory evidence – and credibility determinations may not be based on a person’s status as a complainant, respondent, or witness. The Title IX Coordinator, Investigator, and any decision-makers will receive required training on this process and handling allegations of sexual harassment.
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