Investigations may begin in one of two ways.

If the complainant does not wish to remain confidential, they may submit a formal complaint, (a signed report of an alleged Title IX or sexual misconduct violation) and a request to the Deputy Title IX Coordinator for an investigation to begin.

If the complainant wishes to remain confidential, and if the request for confidentiality is granted, the University generally will not conduct an investigation. However, under some circumstances, the University may determine that it has an obligation to investigate a report, such as when there is a risk to the campus community. In such circumstances, the Title IX Coordinator may submit a formal complaint for investigation; the complainant will be informed of the decision to investigate.

Once an investigation has begun, an investigation must be completed. Every investigation will result in one of two outcomes:

• Reasonable Basis Exists: If the investigation finds a reasonable basis to proceed to a hearing for any of the allegations in the formal complaint and the respondent is a student, disciplinary action will be initiated against the respondent.
• Reasonable Basis Does Not Exist: If the investigation finds there is no reasonable basis to proceed with disciplinary action the allegations will be dismissed. Dismissal of a formal complainant is not equivalent to a false allegation.

The investigator will request that the complainant, respondent and relevant witnesses participate in voluntary interviews. At the conclusion of the investigation, the investigator will deliver a report to the respondent and complainant simultaneously, providing an opportunity to submit a written response to the report. The final report will include any responses received, a summary of relevant evidence, and a recommendation for whether or not a disciplinary hearing is necessary.