FAQ's for Complainants

Complainant FAQ

• What are the Title IX and New York State “Enough is Enough” laws?

  “Title IX” refers to Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, a federal civil rights law. It prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs and activities that receive federal funding.  New regulations now narrow the definition of sexual harassment, but New York State Education Law 129-B (“Enough is Enough), which prohibits similar misconduct, may also prohibit conduct that is not covered by Title IX.  Both laws require universities to respond when reports of sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking are made.

• What types of situations can I report to the Title IX Office?

  Students/employees may report sexual harassment, sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, pregnancy discrimination, and other discrimination based upon sex or gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity to the Title IX Office.

• If I tell my RA/RD/faculty that I was sexually assaulted, they have to tell the Title IX Coordinator. Why?
  SUNY Brockport requires most college officials who are supervisors, faculty, and employees who regularly interact with students, to report sex/gender-based discrimination, sexual misconduct, relationship violence, and stalking to the Title IX Coordinator so the college may offer resources to the student; help the student understand what their rights are; and explain the Title IX Grievance and Student Conduct investigation/hearing processes. In addition, by tracking this information, the college may be able to identify patterns and trends to help promote campus safety.
• Will my parents be notified?

  If SUNY Brockport has reason to believe that a student’s health or safety is at risk, it will communicate with the student’s emergency contact. Otherwise, the college may only talk to a student’s parents or guardians about a situation concerning sexual violence, stalking, etc., if the student has signed an authorization giving consent. If no authorization is signed, the college may only discuss its process and is prohibited from talking about any particular situation to parents/guardians.

• Who can I talk to confidentially about my situation?

  Confidential resources include Hazen Student Health/Counseling Center; RESTORE sexual assault services; and Willow Domestic Violence Center (relationship violence and stalking). Information you provide to a confidential resource will not be disclosed (unless there’s a threat of harm to self or others).

  Contact information for these confidential resources is:

  • Hazen Student Health/Counseling: (585) 395-2414.  Indicate you need immediate assistance by saying your situation is “high priority.”
  • RESTORE Sexual Assault Services: Nicole P works with SUNY Brockport students: (585) 210-8532; or 24/7 RESTORE Hotline: (585) 546- 2777.
  • Willow Domestic Violence Center: 24/7 hotline: (585) 222-SAFE (7233).

  SUNY developed a great resource that provides both on and off campus resources, depending upon your location.

  SAVR Resources

• What other types of resources and support are available? If I don’t want to take any action against the other person, is the college able to do anything to help me?

  A student doesn’t have to request that the college take any action in order to receive support. Options for support include:

  • No Contact Order: The Title IX Coordinator can issue a No Contact Order between students, which prohibits contact between them, but is not disciplinary.
  • Faculty Notice: A notice to faculty can be issued that states the student is experiencing a stressful situation; the letter is issued from the Office of the Assistant Vice Presidents of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, not the Title IX Coordinator, and these letters are issued for a variety of reasons (illness, a death in the family, etc.).
  • Alternate work schedules: If the students work together on campus, the Title IX Coordinator can arrange alternative work schedules.
  • Change in residential housing: A student may choose to be moved. In limited circumstances, SUNY Brockport may require the accused student to move.
  • SAFE Ride: Students may use SAFE Ride to request that a University Police Student Patrol walk them from one location to another on campus. (Rides are suspended, during the COVID-19 pandemic.) Contact (585) 395-SAFE between the hours of 8npm –2nam.
  • Academic Success Center: Tutoring and academic support services are available to all students. If a student  is struggling with their courses because of a situation related to sexual violence, we encourage them to take advantage of the available services.
  • Course Withdrawal/re-assignment: The college may be able to assist a student with withdrawing from a class/scheduling a different section.
  • Other: There might be other circumstances in which the Title IX Coordinator/college may be able to help.
• What if something happened off campus? Will SUNY Brockport be able to do anything?

  The College is always able to provide support to the student impacted by the behavior.

  If the accused person is a student, then the impacted student will have the ability to proceed with an investigation at SUNY Brockport, and if the accused student attends a different university, the impacted student may be able to request an investigation at that institution, if within the United States.  The process followed will either be based upon the Title IX Grievance Policy or the Code of Student Conduct, depending on the allegations and location of the misconduct.

  If the accused person is a college employee, the college will be able to conduct an investigation through the Office of Human Resources. The process followed will either be based upon the Title IX Grievance Policy, the Employee Discrimination Complaint Procedure, or both, depending on the allegations and location of the misconduct.

  The impacted student has the ability to file a police report with the appropriate law enforcement agency and proceed with criminal charges, regardless of whether the accused is a student or an employee, and regardless of where the situation occurred.

• What happens after the Title IX Coordinator is notified? Will the police be called? Will I have to take action against the other person through the Title IX Grievance Policy or the Student Conduct system?

  The Title IX Coordinator will reach out to the impacted student to let them know that they have a right to request a Student Conduct or Title IX Grievance investigation, make a police report, be free from retaliation, and receive support from the college. The student may meet with the Title IX Coordinator and/or a RESTORE advocate to decide whether they want to take any action. The impacted student should be in “the driver’s seat.”

  While there may be instances where the college moves forward with an investigation against another student, despite the impacted student’s wishes, in most cases, the college respects the student’s wishes.

  Exceptions to when a Student Conduct investigation may be started, despite the impacted student’s wishes, include:

  1. If the person accused has a history of violent behavior or is a repeat offender;
  2. If the incident is an escalation of behavior;
  3. If there is an increased risk that the accused will commit additional acts of violence;
  4. If the accused used a weapon or force;
  5. If the impacted student is a minor;
  6. If there’s a pattern of perpetration by a particular group or at a given location.

  If the alleged misconduct falls within the Title IX Grievance Policy, the college may choose to conduct an investigation, despite the impacted student’s wishes, in cases where there is sufficient evidence to move forward without the student’s participation, where the accused may pose a continued risk to the impacted student or the college community.

  If the accused is an employee, the Office of Human Resources will likely need to conduct an investigation.

• What happens if I make a police report?

  You have a right to have an advocate present. RESTORE Sexual Assault Services is a partner agency with the college, and has an advocate who works with SUNY Brockport students.  During the COVID-19 epidemic, she will not be on campus, but will meet with students via video conference. The RESTORE advocate will help explain what to expect if you make a criminal report and will support you through that process, including attending court with you.

  When a criminal complaint is made, the police conduct an investigation and may refer the matter to the District Attorney’s Office to determine if there is enough evidence to support a violation of New York State Penal Law and to press charges. The standard of evidence in a criminal matter is “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

• What does the Title IX Grievance Policy cover (what is its jurisdiction)?
  Before the Title IX Grievance Policy can apply, the sexual harassment, as defined by the new Title IX regulations, must have occurred 1) on any of SUNY Brockport’s campus premises; 2) off-campus, as part of an education program or activity within the U.S. that is funded, promoted, or sponsored by the college (for example, an out of town club or class event,  internship, etc.); or 3) off campus, under circumstances where the college has control over its operations, for instance, its computer networks, digital platforms, etc., in cases of online harassment.
• What type of conduct is “sexual harassment” under the new Title IX regulations?

  Under the Title IX regulations, the definition of sexual harassment is:

  1. Unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would determine is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the educational institution’s education program or activity;
  2. Sexual assault (rape and unwanted sexual contact);
  3. “Quid pro quo” in situations where an SUNY Brockport employee abuses their authority by conditioning a student’s educational benefits on participation in unwelcome sexual conduct;
  4. Dating violence;
  5. Domestic violence; and
  6. Stalking.
• What if, after an investigation begins, it turns out that the allegations don’t meet the definition of Title IX sexual harassment?
  If, after the initial report of sexual harassment is made, the college determines that the alleged misconduct doesn’t meet the Title IX definition of sexual harassment, then the college will dismiss the Title IX complaint and may refer it to the Office of Student Conduct, which will follow the Code of Student Conduct procedures.  The parties have the right to appeal the dismissal from the Title IX Grievance process.
• What is the process if I request an investigation?

  If you would like the college to conduct an investigation, you have the right to have an advisor with you at all meetings. The RESTORE advocate usually fills this role. Two investigators will be assigned, who will talk to you and take your statement, ask you for witness names, and any documentary evidence (including text and social media messages) you might have. The investigators will talk to the person accused (“respondent”) and will follow the same process with them. The investigators are neutral and will not make any findings. When the investigation is completed (it usually takes several weeks, and investigators may need to talk to you to ask some follow up questions), the investigators will write a report and may recommend a hearing.

  The standard of evidence for any Student Conduct or Title IX Grievance Policy hearing is preponderance of the evidence (“more likely than not”). If a hearing is held, the hearing officer or hearing board will review the case and make a determination about whether it is more likely than not that the Code of Student Conduct, Title IX Policy, or both, was violated.

  During the COVID-19 pandemic, all hearings will be virtual, held over Zoom. The hearing is closed, meaning that only the parties, advisors, the Title IX Coordinator, and the hearing officer or board are allowed to be present throughout the hearing. If a witness appears, they will do so only to give their statement and answer questions, then they will leave. A hearing officer or board will ask you, the respondent, and witnesses some questions. 

  The process is different, depending on whether the Title IX Grievance Policy or the Code of Student Conduct procedures are followed.  If the Title IX Grievance Policy is followed, then advisors of the parties will be able to directly cross-examine the other party and witnesses.  If the Code of Student Conduct process is followed, then the hearing officer/board will ask all questions that one party has for the other party and witnesses.

  Both parties are provided with a memorandum decision within fifteen business days of the hearing and both have a right to appeal.

• How is the Title IX process different than the Student Conduct process?

  If the complainant (the student impacted by the sexual harassment) makes a complaint which falls under Title IX (both the definition and jurisdiction), and requests an investigation, the college must follow the Title IX Grievance Policy.

  When the matter is investigated and a hearing is held under The Title IX Grievance Policy, the following will apply:

  • Under the Title IX Grievance Policy, the complainant  will need to file and sign a formal complaint.
  • The Title IX Coordinator will send both parties a notice that sets forth all of the allegations made against the respondent, in detail, so that the respondent fully understands what is alleged, before being interviewed.
  • Both the complainant and respondent will be able to review a draft of the investigative report and evidence (even evidence that the college will not rely upon when making a determination) before the report is finalized, and provide a rebuttal.
  • Both parties are required to have an advisor at hearings, and the advisor will ask questions directly to (cross-examine) the other party and to witnesses.
  • Failure to answer questions asked by an advisor during cross-examination means that none of the non-answering party’s statements (including statements to the investigators, the police, text messages, or conversations with witnesses about the alleged misconduct) can be considered by the hearing officer/board.

  If, however, the alleged  misconduct does not fall within the definition or jurisdiction of sexual harassment under Title IX, then the college will follow the Code of Student Conduct procedures.

  When the matter is investigated and/or a hearing is held under the Code of Student Conduct, the following will apply:

  • A “formal” and signed complaint is not needed before the college begins an investigation.
  • The respondent will be provided information about the allegations, but will not be provided with the complainant’s full written statement before being interviewed.  The respondent will have a full opportunity to respond to all allegations, however, and will be provided with the complainant’s written statement following completion of the interview.
  • The parties will not have an opportunity to review a draft of the investigative report or to submit a rebuttal before it is finalized.
  • Both parties are encouraged to have an advisor present at all meetings and during a hearing, but are not required to have advisors at any step of the process.
  • All questioning of the parties and witnesses is by the hearing officer/board.  The parties have right the to ask questions, but all questions are submitted to the hearing officer to be asked.
  • Both parties have the right not to participate in an investigation and/or hearing, but the failure to participate does not impact the evidence that the hearing officer/board may consider (the “admissibility” of the evidence). The decision not to participate may impact the outcome, however.
• Can I choose whether I want the investigation to follow the Title IX Grievance Policy or Code of Student Conduct?
  No.  If the misconduct falls within the definition and jurisdiction of sexual harassment under Title IX, and a complainant requests an investigation, the college must follow the procedures set forth in the Title IX Grievance Policy. 
• What if the alleged misconduct is covered under both the Title IX Grievance Policy and the Code of Student Conduct?  Will there be two investigations and hearings?
  The same conduct may fall within both the Title IX Grievance Policy and the Code of Student Conduct Category II: Sex/Gender-Based Discrimination and Interpersonal Violence Misconduct.  If that occurs, the respondent may be charged with violations of both the Title IX Grievance Policy and the Code of Student Conduct, but only the Title IX Grievance Policy procedures will be followed.  The college will conduct one investigation and one hearing.

Last Updated 2/15/21