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2018-2019 CIU Student Handbook
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The rights set forth here apply primarily to Respondents who are students
and employees of the University. As previously mentioned, while the
University will address allegations involving third parties, the rights of and
the University’s obligations to and jurisdiction over third parties are likely
to differ from the rights of and the University’s obligations to and
jurisdiction over students and employees of the University, and allegations
involving third parties will be handled as deemed appropriate by the
University’s Title IX Coordinator in his or her discretion.
Investigative Process:
CIU’s Title IX Coordinator, Deputy Coordinators and/or designee will ensure
that all reports of alleged Sexual Misconduct are immediately investigated in a
thorough and appropriate manner. The process will proceed as follows:
1) The Title IX Coordinator receives a report of a possible violation.
2) If the Title IX Coordinator concludes that the reported conduct could
constitute a violation of this Policy, the Title IX Coordinator assigns a Title
IX Investigator.
3) Per South Carolina law, if there is a report of a criminal sexual assault
that occurred on University property, the Title IX Coordinator will
communicate with the Chief of Security and the Chief of Security will
report to SLED.
4) The Title IX Investigator contacts the Complainant to discuss proceeding
with investigation. The Title IX Investigator also informs the Complainant
of the right to make an independent report to law enforcement.
5) If the Complainant requests confidentiality or that no investigation take
place, the Complainant will be informed that a full investigation and
resolution will not be possible. CIU will take any and all necessary steps,
however, to protect the safety of the CIU community. The Complainant
also will be advised of CIU’s obligation under South Carolina law to notify
SLED when it receives a report of criminal sexual assault.
6) If the Title IX Coordinator or his designee deems it appropriate, the Title
IX Coordinator will communicate with the Complainant and Respondent
to see if mediation is possible. If mediation is not possible, not
appropriate, or ineffective, the Title IX Investigator will interview the
Complainant, the Respondent, and witnesses (or others with relevant
information).
7) The Title IX Investigator will gather relevant evidentiary materials.
8) The Title IX Investigator will prepare an investigation report containing
details of the interviews and evidence.
9) The Title IX Investigator will provide the investigation report to the
Complainant and the Respondent and will advise them of their right to
submit written statements to be included with the report. The written
statements will be shared with each party.
10) Once the investigation report and any additional statements from the
Complainant and/or the Respondent are received, the Title IX Coordinator
will convene a Hearing Board composed of three CIU faculty and/or staff
members who have received training on their role and responsibility in
deciding whether a violation of this Policy has occurred.