At the conclusion of the assessment conducted in response to a Preliminary Report, relevant options for proceeding will be discussed with the individual who experienced the alleged Policy violation. If the Preliminary Report is deemed to constitute potential violation of the Policy Against Sexual Violence, available options for resolution typically will include:
- Administrative Assistance,
- Mediation, and/or
- The Formal Complaint Process.
Two of these three forms of resolution (administrative assistance and mediation) do not involve an investigation or the potential for a hearing under these procedures. Administrative assistance and mediation are options that may be available even if the Reporting Individual/Complainant does not wish to proceed with the Formal Complaint Process, and the goal of those alternative forms of resolution is to engage the Title IX Office’s assistance to mitigate the harm and address the concerns of the parties.
While the preferences of the Reporting Individual/Complainant will be considered, as discussed above, the Title IX coordinator also has the authority, in consultation with such other College administrators as deemed appropriate, to determine that an investigation and pursuit of the Formal Complaint Process are necessary in order to ensure a safe campus environment. Additionally, should statements made during administrative assistance or mediation highlight aspects of the reported conduct not previously known to the College, or detail additional violations of the Policy, the College reserves the right to stop that resolution process and re-evaluate the available resolution processes. However, statements made by a party during the administrative assistance or mediation proceedings will not be included as evidence in reports made with respect to an ensuing investigation.