Title IX: Alternative Resolution Process for Students

Alternative Resolution (Informal) Process for Student Title IX Harassment

If a student does not wish to participate in an investigation and/or a live-hearing, they may choose to enter into the College’s Alternative Resolution process. Alternative Resolutions may give students an opportunity to actively participate in a process that is less intense than an investigation and/or live-hearing. This process only applies to students and is not applicable for incidents involving employees. It is also only applicable to student cases of sexual harassment.

In order for the Alternative Resolution process to begin, both the reporting and responding parties must agree to participate in this process. Additionally, the Title IX Coordinator or Director of Student Conduct must approve the decision for the allegation(s) to be resolved via the Alternative Resolution process. At any time within the Alternative Resolution process, the facilitator may determine that the resolution process is not an appropriate course for resolving the issue and may require that it be moved to a formal Title IX hearing. This determination is not subject to appeal, though the claimant can decide to not pursue at this time.
If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact the Title IX Office at 607-xxx or by email at titleix@tc3.edu.

  • At the beginning of the Title IX process, with information included in the Notice of Allegations, the claimant (reporting student) will be offered the options of an investigation and live hearing, Alternative Resolution, or no process at that time; and will be provided information about the processes. The claimant can select to opt into the review process at any point prior to a live-hearing taking place. 
  • If the claimant(s) select(s) the Alternative Resolution process, the respondent(s) will be brought in to see if they are also willing to participate in an Administrative Review process, with information included in the Notice of Allegations, and provided information about the process. 
  • The Alternative Resolution process can involve a series of meetings between each party and the facilitator, or all parties meeting with the facilitator at once if the claimant(s) choose(s) and the respondent(s) agree(s), with a goal of meeting each students’ needs to resolve the case and taking into account College sanctioning guidelines and state and federal law.
  • Respondents will be informed that details they share about the allegations within the informal resolution process will be excluded from a Formal Grievance process, should one subsequently occur 
  • The Alternative Resolution process occurs until/if there is a mutual agreement that can be reached 
  • The Alternative Resolution process will include but is not limited to: 
  • An Administrative Agreement which includes a sanction that is agreeable to the claimant(s), respondent(s) and the College; and/or 
  • An educational conversation with the respondent(s); and/or
  • Imposition of a Cease and Desist order; and/or other
  • Other mutually agreed upon outcomes
  • Claimant(s) and respondent(s) have the right to withdraw from the Alternative Resolution process and begin or resume the Formal Grievance process prior to reaching an informal resolution without consequence 
  • The College has discretion to remove a complaint from the Alternative Resolution process and begin or resume the Formal Grievance process following notice to the parties.
  • Once a resolution to the review process is reached, and the claimant(s), respondent(s), and College representative provide their voluntary and written consent to the informal resolution process, the matter is closed. The parties, at that time, are not permitted to begin or resume a formal complaint under any College policy arising from the resolved incident(s).

If the claimant desires to proceed with the formal Title IX Grievance process, the case will be assigned to an investigator.

  • The investigator will proceed with interviewing all relevant parties and gathering evidence 
  • The Alternative Resolution process will remain an option until a formal grievance process hearing begins 
  • The formal grievance process will continue until there is a final outcome via a grievance process hearing 
  • If the Alternative Resolution process fails, the Office of Student Conduct will notify the claimant(s) and respondent(s) that the formal grievance process is beginning from the point at which the Alternative Resolution had begun