Why You Need an Attorney-Advisor in SBU’s Title IX Disciplinary Process

Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sexual misconduct within federally funded institutions, and Saint Bonaventure University (SBU) is among them. If you find yourself accused of sexual assault, harassment, or any form of sexual misconduct at SBU, your school must resolve the issue as it becomes tagged as a Title IX violation. Being implicated in such conduct can expose you to serious repercussions that may jeopardize your future.

Therefore, understanding SBU’s disciplinary process is vital if you end up facing accusations. In response to reports about sexual misconduct by students, SBU must follow prompt and equitable procedures per the Department of Education’s direction. Failure to do so may result in a loss of federal funding for the school.

As the respondent facing these charges, you should appreciate the seriousness with which Saint Bonaventure takes Title IX violations. Therefore, it would be best to follow suit and retain an attorney-advisor to protect your legal rights throughout the process.

Saint Bonaventure University’s Disciplinary Process

According to Title IX regulations applicable to educational institutions like SBU, every institution must investigate any cases of alleged sexual misconduct reported on campus. The institution has a duty to ensure prompt and equitable investigations without bias towards either party.

Victims, survivors or complainants are encouraged but not required by SBU mandates to file their complaint via complaint reporting systems established for such purposes by filling out all necessary information including relevant evidence like text messages or social media interactions regarding the incident(s).

The initial assessment is made by the Title IX Coordinator upon receiving a complaint report following an outline provided underregulations highlighting various requirements that must be met before acting on such reports. The coordinator only proceeds if they confirm this case meets these requirements’ criteria for further investigation procedures.

Should it be decided after initial assessment investigations are necessary? Both parties (the respondent and complainant) would be invited to separate meetings where they can provide evidence, identify witnesses who can be brought up during investigation hearings.

Lastly, the case advances to hearings. Here, the conduct review body makes a conclusive determination of responsibility and sanctions if applicable. In either case, both parties may apply for an appeal within five calendar days of receiving any decision.

What an Attorney-Advisor Offers

While SBU structures its Title IX disciplinary process in a way that appears impartial, you should bear in mind that their primary objective is ensuring compliance with federal laws. As such, representation by an experienced attorney-advisor is vital as your legal rights and future plans could be at stake.

An attorney will significantly assist with preparing all possible defenses relevant to your case’s circumstances to ensure you have adequate legal protection against false allegations. They ensure you’re treated fairly and prevent wrongful charges from ruining your academic career before it even starts.

Someone facing sexual misconduct allegations often finds themselves emotionally triggered upfront leading to anxiety, depression or worse suicidal ideation (according to a national sexual violence resource center report). An attorney brings experience that assesses facts free from emotions showing precedent-based rationales for building responsive defense cause into dispensing client interest through sound advice throughout the entire Title IX proceedings emphasizing equitable treatment by higher education institutions at all times.

Conclusion

In conclusion, being accused of sexual misconduct on campuses is not uncommon these days; hence students need protection under the law within every college ecosystem. Thus there is a defined process in place under Title IX aimed at providing justice for all involved parties without bias.

As complicated as this discipline process seems procedurally, having competent counsel would sufficiently anchor every step one takes carefully till final resolution whatever it may entail after assessing situations impartially without bias and ensuring only evidence-based conclusions are reached per regulations provided for appropriate responses. Contact Todd Spodek Lawyer today at 212-300-5196 if you are going through this predicament at SBU.