Student Life / Campus Safety / Title IX / Title IX Roles

What roles are involved in Title IX?

If you find yourself in an investigation, it may be difficult to understand what is going on, who knows about the details of the investigation and what role they play in the process. Below provides some insight into the different roles we may have involved in an investigation.

Title IX Coordinator

The Title IX coordinator for Hesston College oversees this policy as well as the reporting, investigation and response process to any report. This position is currently housed within student life. The current Title IX coordinator is Whitney Douglas, Smith Center, 301 S Main, Hesston, KS 67062; whitney.douglas@hesston.edu; and 620-327-8342.

Investigator’s Responsibilities

The investigator assigned to investigate a formal complaint is tasked with completing the investigation process from the creation of the investigation plan through the writing of an investigation report. The investigator is not responsible for determining whether the policy was violated or what action should occur as a result of the investigation. They will be available to answer clarifying questions about the investigation to the hearing panel.

Panel Review Responsibilities

The panel will consist of three (3) staff and faculty members. The panel is trained on Title IX and Hesston College’s policy and procedures as it relates to sexual misconduct, and they are tasked with analyzing the investigation, asking clarifying questions and making a determination of policy violation. If a determination is made that the policy was violated, the panel also determines action from the findings.

The panel is responsible for making these decisions based on majority vote. No panel member is permitted to abstain. The results of the panel discussion are provided to the Title IX coordinator and communicated in writing to the reporter and responding part through the determination letter.

Policy Violation Action

In the case of a policy violation, the recommended action should take into account the facts and circumstances of the specific investigation, as well as any mitigating factors about the responding party, to include their prior disciplinary history, the nature and seriousness of the offense and the effect on the reporter as well as the campus community. The recommended action must be in line with action taken in other student misconduct situations. Some potential actions include:

Students

Probation
Loss of privileges
Service hours
Parental notification
Alcohol and drug assessment and counseling
Fines
Required counseling
Required training
Residence hall relocation, suspension or expulsion
Limited or no access to specific campus buildings
No contact order
Suspension
Dismissal

Warning
Withholding diploma
Revocation of degree
Removal from campus and disbarment from future participation in any activities sponsored by Hesston College, in which Hesston College participates or held on Hesston College property
Discretionary sanctions

Faculty and Staff

Faculty or staff found in violation of this policy may receive disciplinary action up to and including separation per our performance management policy. Other potential actions include:

Limited or no access to specific campus buildings
Required counseling
Required training
No contact order
Warning – verbal or written
Probation
Paid or unpaid leave
Suspension
Separation of employment
Loss of privileges
Reduction in pay or loss of annual increase
Loss of supervisory or oversight responsibilities
Removal from campus and disbarment from future participation in any activities sponsored by Hesston College, in which Hesston College participates or held on Hesston College property.
Discretionary sanctions

The above actions will be reviewed periodically for effectiveness and may have additions and removals as warranted per the situation.