How to Protect Yourself During a Title IX Investigation in Montana

If you work for a college or university in Montana, you need to understand the gravity of sexual misconduct, assault or harassment allegations. Being accused of these actions could lead to a Title IX investigation, which can result in a destroyed reputation and years of difficulty finding work. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your rights, job and future.

What is Title IX?

Title IX is a federal civil rights law established under an Educational Amendment that prohibits discrimination based on sex in all American schools that receive government funding. This applies to all students and employees within an academic community – including part-time and full-time workers, administrators, assistants, coaches and higher-up faculty members.

Title IX covers various forms of sexual misconduct such as stalking, dating violence, domestic or intimate partner violence, sexual assault (including rape and incest) and sexual harassment. In some academic communities in Montana, the list may be much longer. It’s essential to check your school’s policies for an itemized list.

The Title IX Investigation Process

If someone makes an allegation against you at your school in Montana regarding sexual misconduct under Title IX regulations, they will report it to your schools designated Title IX Coordinator.

Your school must investigate all serious allegations under Title IX. However, since being linked with this kind of investigation doesn’t look great for anyone involved – even the university itself – the school administration sometimes handles it overzealously. Unfortunately, some academic institutions may not handle investigations correctly.

You must ensure that you know about due process rights throughout any related action for a Montana schools Title IX investigation.

Following formal notification by your school if action is deemed necessary against you as per academic policy – this would include your advisor at the initial stage- an investigation team starts working on evidence collecting via intense meetings with yourself as well as other respondents or accusers along with relevant witnesses at instances- giving you a chance to cross-examine witnesses (including accusers). If you and your advisor have any evidence, they can present it on your behalf. An impartial decision-maker will then evaluate the gathered data to determine whether the allegations against you are true or not, based on a preponderance of the evidence.

If proven responsible or liable for the named allegations, further sanction may be levied upon your person including termination of employment with all grievances necessary It’s still possible to appeal these decisions in rare situations such as when newly found incontrovertible evidence emerges that wasn’t available during due process, or its revealed that a misstep occurred by the school authorities overlooking necessary procedures- but keep in mind there’s limited time to file such an appeal.

Contact a Title IX Advisor

Being associated with Title IX investigations can damage anyones prospective career prospects, whether you’re a professor, coach, technician or administrator working at an academic institution in Montana. Even if innocent of anything wrong doing and exonerated from any liability after due process is completed- the tinged reflects hauntingly

That said, if you need assistance concluding a previous legal ordeal associated with Title IX investigate proceedings; building up a robust defense from scratch; sorting through all requisite hearsay for such an incident – Todd Spodek and his experienced team of Title IX advisors can offer their vast knowledge and supportive guidance make fixing things considerably more comfortable while keeping wary eyes open for any potential pitfalls.

For years, they’ve helped college employees nationwide navigate the complexities of Title IX processes successfully. No matter what your position is in Montana University administration or student-life arena role as an RA or TA; we will support you every step of the way.

Call us today at (888) 535-3686 or click here for a free consultation!