Section VII. Procedures When Sexual Harrassment Under Title IX is Alleged

A.  Definitions.

1. “Complainant” means an individual who is alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sexual harassment.
2. “Respondent” means an individual who has been reported be the individual engaging in conduct that could constitute sexual harassment.
3. “Reporting Party” means any person who reports sexual harassment or conduct that could constitute sexual harassment, whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim.
4. “Sexual harassment” means conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:
   a. An employee of a NSHE institution conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the institution on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct;
   b. Unwelcome conduct on the basis of sex that is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the institution’s education program or activity; or
   c. Sexual assault, as defined by the Clery Act, 34 C.F.R. § 668.46(a), as amended by the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, including but not limited to dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking.
   
   For the purposes of this definition, “education program or activity” includes locations, events, or circumstances over which an institution exercised substantial control over both the respondent and the context in which the sexual harassment occurs, and also includes any building owned or controlled by a student organization that is officially recognized by an institution, which may include but is not limited to recognized fraternity, sorority, or student organizations. This definition does not apply to persons outside the United States.
   
   For the purposes of this definition, “sexual assault” means an offense that meets the definition of rape, fondling, incest, or statutory rape as used in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
   
   “Rape” means penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her age or because of his/her temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity.
   “Fondling” means the touching of the private body parts of another person for the purpose of sexual gratification, without the consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her age or because of his/her temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity. “Incest” means sexual intercourse between persons who are related to each other within the degrees wherein marriage is prohibited by law.
   “Statutory rape” means sexual intercourse with a person who is under the statutory age of consent (16 years old).
   “Dating violence” means violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim, and where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors: the length of the relationship, the type of relationship, the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.
   “Domestic violence” means felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction receiving grant monies, or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction.
   “Stalking” means engaging in a course of conduct on the basis of sex directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others, or suffer substantial emotional distress.
5. “Formal complaint” means a document filed by a complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator alleging sexual harassment against a respondent and requesting that the institution investigate the allegation of sexual harassment.
6. “Supportive measures” means non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services offered as appropriate, as reasonably available, and without fee or charge to the complainant or the respondent before or after the filing of a formal complaint or where no formal complaint has been filed.
7. “Actual knowledge” means notice of sexual harassment or allegations of sexual harassment to an institution’s Title IX Coordinator or any official of the institution who has authority to institute corrective measures on behalf of the institution, including the President, Vice Presidents, Provost, Vice Provosts, Human Resources Director, and those designated by the President.
8. Imputation of knowledge based solely on vicarious liability or constructive notice is insufficient to constitute actual knowledge. This standard is not met when the only official of the institution with actual knowledge is the respondent. The mere ability or obligation to report sexual harassment or to inform an individual about how to report sexual harassment, or having been trained to do so, does not qualify an individual as one who has authority to institute corrective measures on behalf of the institution.
9. “Institution” means any and all of NSHE’s eight (8) institutions, including the College of Southern Nevada; the Desert Research Institute; Great Basin College; Nevada State College; Truckee Meadows Community College; the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; the University of Nevada, Reno; and Western Nevada College, and NSHE’s System Administration offices.
10. “Consent” means an affirmative, clear, unambiguous, knowing, informed, and voluntary agreement between all participants to engage in sexual activity.

• Consent is active, not passive. Silence or lack of resistance cannot be interpreted as consent.
• Seeking and having consent accepted is the responsibility of the person(s) initiating each specific sexual act regardless of whether the person initiating the act is under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
• The existence of a dating relationship or past sexual relations between the participants does not constitute consent to any other sexual act.
• Affirmative consent must be ongoing throughout the sexual activity and may be withdrawn at any time. When consent is withdrawn or cannot be given, sexual activity must stop.
• Consent cannot be given when it is the result of any coercion, intimidation, force, deception, or threat of harm.
• Consent cannot be given when a person is incapacitated. Incapacitation occurs when an individual lacks the ability to fully, knowingly choose to participate in sexual activity. Incapacitation includes: impairment due to drugs or alcohol (whether such use is voluntary or involuntary); inability to communicate due to a mental or physical condition; the lack of consciousness or being asleep; being involuntarily restrained; if any of the parties are under the age of 16; or if an individual otherwise cannot consent.
• The definition of consent does not vary based upon a participant’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

B.  Response to Sexual Harassment.

An institution with actual knowledge of sexual harassment in an education program or activity of the institution, as defined in Section VII(A), against a person in the United States must respond promptly in a manner that is not deliberately indifferent. An institution is “deliberately indifferent” only if its response to sexual harassment is clearly unreasonable in light of the known circumstances.

An institution’s response must treat complainants and respondents equitably by offering supportive measures as defined in Section VII(A)(6) to a complainant, and by following a complaint process that complies with Section VII(E) before the imposition of any disciplinary sanctions or other actions that are not supportive measures as defined in Section VII(A)(6) against a respondent.

The institution’s Title IX Coordinator must promptly contact the complainant to discuss the availability of supportive measures as defined Section VII(A)(6) consider the complainant’s wishes with respect to supportive measures, inform the complainant of the availability of supportive measures with or without the filing of a formal complaint, and explain to the complainant the process for filing a formal complaint. An institution’s treatment of a complainant or a respondent in response to a formal complaint of sexual harassment may constitute discrimination on the basis of sex under Title IX.

Depending on the specific nature of the problem, supportive measures and remedies may include, but are not limited to:

1. Issuing a no-contact directive(s);
2. Providing an effective escort to ensure safe movement between classes and activities;
3. Not sharing classes or extracurricular activities;
4. Moving to a different residence hall (complainants should only be moved upon their request);
5. Providing written information regarding institution and community services including but not limited to medical, counseling and academic support services, such as tutoring;
6. Providing extra time to complete or re-take a class or withdraw from a class without an academic or financial penalty;
7. Restricting to online classes;
8. Providing information regarding campus transportation options;
9. Reviewing any disciplinary actions taken against the complainant or the respondent to see if there is a connection between the sexual misconduct and the misconduct that may have resulted in the complainant or the respondent being disciplined; and
10. Requiring the parties to report any violations of these restrictions.

All institution administrators, academic and administrative faculty, and staff are responsible for carrying out the supportive measures and remedies.

Supportive measures and remedies may include restraining orders, or similar lawful orders issued by the institution, criminal, civil or tribal courts. Supportive measures and remedies will be confidential to the extent that such confidentiality will not impair the effectiveness of such measures or remedies.

Remedies may also include review and revision of institution sexual misconduct policies, increased monitoring, supervision or security at locations where incidents have been reported; and increased and/or targeted education and prevention efforts.

Any supportive measures or remedies shall be monitored by the Title IX Coordinator throughout the entire process to assess whether the supportive measures or remedies meet the goals of preventing ongoing harassment or discrimination, protecting the safety of the parties, and preventing retaliatory conduct.

In responding to allegations of sexual harassment, an institution shall not restrict rights protected under the U.S. Constitution, including the First Amendment, Fifth Amendment, and Fourteenth Amendment.

C. Response to a Formal Complaint.

1. In response to a formal complaint, an institution must investigate the allegations contained therein and follow a complaint process that complies with Section VII(E). With or without a formal complaint, an institution must comply with Section VII(B).
2. Nothing in this Section VII(C) precludes an institution from removing a respondent from the institution’s education program or activity on an emergency basis, provided that the institution undertakes an individualized safety and risk analysis, determines that an immediate threat to the physical health or safety of any student or other individual arising from the allegations of sexual harassment justifies removal, and provides the respondent with notice and an opportunity to challenge the decision immediately following the removal. This provision may not be construed to modify any rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or the Americans with Disabilities Act.
3. An institution may consolidate formal complaints as to allegations of sexual harassment against more than one respondent, or by more than one complainant against one or more respondents, or by one party against the other party, where the allegations of sexual harassment arise out of the same facts or circumstances. Where a complaint process involves more than one complainant or more than one respondent, references in this Section VII to the singular “party,” “complainant,” or “respondent” include the plural, as applicable.

D. General complaint process requirements. Institutions shall:

1. Permit any person to report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment), in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator, or by any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person’s verbal or written report. Such a report may be made at any time (including during non- business hours) by using the telephone number or electronic mail address, or by mail to the office address, listed for the Title IX Coordinator;
2. Promote impartial investigations and adjudications of formal complaints of sexual harassment;
3. Treat complainants and respondents equitably by providing remedies to a complainant where a determination of responsibility for sexual harassment has been made against the respondent, and by following a complaint process that complies with this Section VII before the imposition of any disciplinary sanctions or other actions that are not supportive measures as defined in Section VII(A)(6) against a respondent. Remedies must be designed to restore or preserve equal access to the institution’s education program or activity. Such remedies may include the same individualized services described in Section VII(A)(6) as “supportive measures”; however, remedies need not be non- disciplinary or non-punitive and need not avoid burdening the respondent;
4. Require an objective evaluation of all relevant evidence—including both inculpatory and exculpatory evidence—and provide that credibility determinations may not be based on a person’s status as a complainant, respondent, or witness;
5. Ensure that the Title IX Coordinator, investigator, hearing officer, or any person designated by an institution to facilitate an informal resolution process, does not have a conflict of interest or bias for or against complainants or respondents generally or an individual complainant or respondent;
6. Ensure that the Title IX Coordinator, investigator, hearing officer, or any person designated by an institution to facilitate an informal resolution process receive training on the definition of sexual harassment in Section VII(A), the scope of the institution’s education program or activity, how to conduct an investigation and complaint process including hearings, appeals, and informal resolution processes, as applicable, and how to serve impartially, including by avoiding prejudgment of the facts at issue, conflicts of interest, and bias;
7. Ensure, coordination with the NSHE Chief General Counsel, that hearing officers receive training on any technology to be used at a live hearing and on issues of relevance of questions and evidence, including when questions and evidence about the complainant’s sexual predisposition or prior sexual behavior are not relevant, as set forth in Section VII(G)(4);
8. Ensure that investigators receive training on issues of relevance to create an investigative report that fairly summarizes relevant evidence, as set forth in Section VII(G)(4);  
9. Ensure that any materials used to train Title IX Coordinators, investigators, hearing officers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process, do not rely on sex stereotypes;
10. Include a presumption that the respondent is not responsible for the alleged conduct until a determination regarding responsibility is made at the conclusion of the complaint process;
11. Establish a reasonably prompt time frame for conclusion of the complaint process, including reasonably prompt time frames for filing and resolving appeals and informal resolution processes if the institution offers informal resolution processes, and a process that allows for the temporary delay of the complaint process or the limited extension of time frames for good cause with written notice to the complainant and the respondent of the delay or extension and the reasons for the action. Good cause may include considerations such as the absence of a party, a party’s advisor, or a witness; concurrent law enforcement activity; or the need for language assistance or accommodation of disabilities. The institution must establish a reasonably prompt time frame that complies with the procedures outlined in Chapter 284 of the Nevada Administrative Code for classified employees, Chapter 289 of the Nevada Administrative Code for law enforcement, Chapter 6 of the NSHE Code for professional employees, and Chapter 10 of the NSHE Code or applicable code of conduct for students. Institutions may establish different time frames for different types of cases (e.g., sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, etc.);
12. Describe the range of possible disciplinary sanctions and remedies or list the possible disciplinary sanctions and remedies that the institution may implement following any determination of responsibility;
13. State that the standard of evidence to be used to determine responsibility is the preponderance of the evidence standard, and must apply the same standard of evidence for formal complaints against students as for formal complaints against employees, including faculty, and must apply the same standard of evidence to all formal complaints of sexual harassment;
14. Include the procedures and permissible bases for the complainant and respondent to appeal a written determination;
15. Describe the range of supportive measures available to complainants and respondents;
16. Not require, allow, rely upon, or otherwise use questions or evidence that constitute, or seek disclosure of, information protected under a legally recognized privilege, unless the person holding such privilege has waived the privilege; and
17. Require any party to assert that the Title IX Coordinator, investigator(s), or hearing officer(s) has a conflict of interest or bias against complainants or respondents generally or the individual complainant or respondent at the time the party knew or should have known of such conflict of interest or bias.

E. Complaint Procedures.

1.    Upon receipt of a formal complaint, an institution must provide the following written notice to the parties who are known:
       a.  Notice of the institution’s complaint process that complies with this section, including any informal resolution process; and
       b.    Notice of the allegations potentially constituting sexual harassment as defined in Section VII(A), including sufficient details known at the time and with sufficient time to prepare a response before any initial interview. “Sufficient details” include the identities of the parties involved in the incident, if known, the conduct allegedly constituting sexual harassment under Section VII(A), and the date and location of the alleged incident, if known. This written notice also must:
              i.    Include a statement that the respondent is presumed not responsible for the alleged conduct and that a determination regarding responsibility is made at the conclusion of the complaint process;
              ii.    Inform the parties that they may have an advisor of their choice under Section VII(F)(4) who may be, but is not required to be, an attorney, and may inspect and review evidence under Subsection VII(F); and
              iii.    Consistent with Section VII(L), inform the parties of the prohibition against knowingly making false statements or knowingly submitting false information during the complaint process.
2.    If, in the course of an investigation, the institution decides to investigate allegations about the complainant or respondent that are not included in the notice provided pursuant to Section VII(E)(1), the institution must provide notice of the additional allegations to the parties whose identities are known.
3.    Dismissal of formal complaint. 
      a.    If the conduct alleged in the formal complaint would not constitute sexual harassment as defined in Section VII(A) even if proved, did not occur in the institution’s education program or activity, or did not occur against a person in the United States, then the institution must dismiss the formal complaint with regard to that conduct for purposes of sexual harassment under Title IX. Such a dismissal does not preclude action under another provision of the Board of Regents’ Handbook, NSHE Code, or institution’s code of conduct.
      b.    The institution may dismiss the formal complaint or any allegations therein, if at any time during the investigation or hearing:
          (i)     A complainant notifies the Title IX Coordinator in writing that the complainant would like to withdraw the formal complaint or any allegations therein;

          (ii)    The respondent is no longer enrolled or employed by the institution; or
          (iii)    Specific circumstances prevent the institution from gathering evidence sufficient to reach a determination as to the formal complaint or allegations therein.
       c.    Upon a dismissal required or permitted pursuant to Section VII(E)(1)(a)(b), the institution must promptly send written notice of the dismissal and reason(s) therefore simultaneously to the parties.

F.  Investigation of a Formal Complaint.

The investigation of a formal complaint must:

1. Ensure that the burden of proof and the burden of gathering evidence sufficient to reach a determination regarding responsibility rest on the institution and not on the parties, provided that the institution cannot access, consider, disclose, or otherwise use a party’s records that are made or maintained by a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or other recognized professional or paraprofessional acting in the professional’s or paraprofessional’s capacity, or assisting in that capacity, and which are made and maintained in connection with the provision of treatment to the party, unless the institution obtains that party’s voluntary, written consent to do so for a complaint process under this section (if a party is not an “eligible student,” as defined in 34 CFR 99.3, then the institution must obtain the voluntary, written consent of a “parent,” as defined in 34 CFR 99.3);
2. Provide an equal opportunity for the parties to present witnesses, including fact and expert witnesses, and other inculpatory and exculpatory evidence;
3. Do not restrict the ability of either party to discuss the allegations under investigation or to gather and present relevant evidence;
4. Provide the parties with the same opportunities to have others present during any complaint proceeding, including the opportunity to be accompanied to any related meeting or proceeding by the advisor of their choice, who may be, but is not required to be, an attorney, and not limit the choice or presence of advisor for either the complainant or respondent in any meeting or complaint proceeding. However, an institution may establish restrictions regarding the extent to which the advisor may participate in the proceedings, as long as the restrictions apply equally to all parties;
5. Provide, to a party whose participation is invited or expected, written notice of the date, time, location, participants, and purpose of all hearings, investigative interviews, or other meetings, with sufficient time for the party to prepare to participate;
6. Provide both parties an equal opportunity to inspect and review any evidence obtained as part of the investigation that is directly related to the allegations raised in a formal complaint, including the evidence upon which the institution does not intend to rely in reaching a determination regarding responsibility, and inculpatory or exculpatory evidence whether obtained from a party or other source, so that each party can meaningfully respond to the evidence prior to conclusion of the investigation;
7. Prior to completion of the investigative report, send to each party and the party’s advisor, if any, the evidence subject to inspection and review in an electronic format or a hard copy, and the parties must have ten (10) days to submit a written response, which the investigator will consider prior to completion of the investigative report. The institution must make all such evidence subject to the parties’ inspection and review available at any hearing to give each party equal opportunity to refer to such evidence during the hearing, including for purposes of cross-examination; and
8. Create an investigative report that fairly summarizes relevant evidence and, at least ten (10) days prior to a hearing (if a hearing is required under this section or otherwise provided) or other time of determination regarding responsibility, send to each party and the party’s advisor, if any, the investigative report in an electronic format or a hard copy, for their review and written response. Each party’s written response, if any, shall be submitted to the investigator at least three (3) days prior to the live hearing.

G. Live Hearings.

1. An institution must hold a live hearing over which a hearing officer presides. The hearing officer cannot be the same person as the Title IX Coordinator or the investigator(s).
2. At the live hearing, the hearing officer must permit each party’s advisor to ask the other party and any witnesses all relevant questions and follow-up questions, including those challenging credibility. Such cross-examination at the live hearing must be conducted directly, orally, and in real time by the party’s advisor of choice and never by a party personally, notwithstanding the discretion of the institution under Section VII(F)(4) to otherwise restrict the extent to which advisors may participate in the proceedings.
3. The live hearing may be conducted with all parties physically present in the same geographic location or, at the institution’s discretion, any or all parties, witnesses, and other participants may appear at the live hearing virtually, with technology enabling participants simultaneously to see and hear each other. At the request of either party, the institution must provide for the live hearing to occur with the parties located in separate rooms with technology enabling the hearing officer(s) and parties to simultaneously see and hear the party or the witness answering questions.
4. Only relevant cross-examination and other questions may be asked of a party or witness. Before a complainant, respondent, or witness answers a cross-examination or other question, the hearing officer(s) must first determine whether the question is relevant and explain any decision to exclude a question as not relevant. For the purposes of this Section VII(G), “relevant” means a question or evidence having any tendency to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more or less probable than it would be without the question or evidence. Questions and evidence about the complainant’s sexual predisposition or prior sexual behavior are not relevant, unless such questions and evidence about the complainant’s prior sexual behavior are offered to prove that someone other than the respondent committed the conduct alleged by the complainant, or if the questions and evidence concern specific incidents of the complainant’s prior sexual behavior with respect to the respondent and are offered to prove consent.
5. If a party does not have an advisor present at the live hearing, the institution must provide without fee or charge to that party, an advisor of the institution’s choice, who shall not be an attorney, to conduct cross-examination on behalf of that party. Such advisors need not be provided with specialized training because the essential function of such an advisor provided by the institution is not to “represent” a party but rather to relay the party’s cross-examination questions that the party wishes to have asked of other parties or witnesses so that parties never personally question or confront each other during a live hearing.
6. If a party or witness does not submit to cross-examination at the live hearing, the hearing officer(s) must not rely on any statement of that party or witness in reaching a determination regarding responsibility; provided, however, that the hearing officer(s) cannot draw an inference about the determination regarding responsibility based solely on a party’s or witness’s absence from the live hearing or refusal to answer cross-examination or other questions.
7. Institutions must create an audio or audiovisual recording, or transcript, of any live hearing and make it available to the parties for inspection and review.
8. Nothing in this Section VII(G) shall be construed to impair rights under the U.S. Constitution, including but not limited to the Fifth Amendment, or privileges recognized by statute or common law.

H. Determination Regarding Responsibility.

1. The hearing officer(s) must issue a written determination regarding responsibility under the preponderance of the evidence standard within 14 calendar days of the live hearing.
2. The written determination must include:
   a. Identification of the allegations potentially constituting sexual harassment as defined in Section VII(A);
   b. A description of the procedural steps taken from the receipt of the formal complaint through the determination, including any notifications to the parties, interviews with parties and witnesses, site visits, methods used to gather other evidence, and hearings held;
   c. Findings of fact supporting the determination;
   d. Conclusions regarding the application of the institution’s code of conduct to the facts;
   e. A statement of, and rationale for, the result as to each allegation, including a determination regarding responsibility, any disciplinary sanctions the institution imposes on the respondent, and whether remedies designed to restore or preserve equal access to the institution’s education program or activity will be provided by the institution to the complainant; and
   f.  The institution’s procedures and permissible bases for the complainant and respondent to appeal.
3. The institution must provide the hearing officer(s)’s written determination regarding responsibility to the parties simultaneously. The written determination becomes final either on the date that the institution provides the parties with the written determination of the result of the appeal, if an appeal is filed, or if an appeal is not filed, the date on which an appeal would no longer be considered timely.

I. Appeals.

1. Within five (5) calendar days, any party may appeal from a determination regarding responsibility, and from an institution’s dismissal of a formal complaint or any allegations therein, on the following bases:
        a. Procedural irregularity that affected the outcome of the matter;
        b. New evidence that was not reasonably available at the time the determination regarding responsibility or dismissal was made, that could affect the outcome of the matter; or
        c. The Title IX Coordinator, investigator(s), or hearing officer(s) had a conflict of interest or bias for or against complainants or respondents generally or the individual complainant or respondent that affected the outcome of the matter.
2. As to all appeals, the institution must:
        a. Immediately notify the other party in writing when an appeal is filed;
        b. Ensure that the decision-maker for the appeal is not the same person as the hearing officer(s) that reached the determination regarding responsibility or dismissal, the investigator(s), or the Title IX Coordinator;
        c. Ensure that the decision-maker(s) for the appeal:
             i. Does not have a conflict of interest or bias for or against complainants or respondents generally or an individual complainant or respondent;
             ii. Receives training on the definition of sexual harassment in Section VII(A), the scope of the institution’s education program or activity, how to conduct an investigation and complaint process including hearings, appeals, and informal resolution processes, as applicable, and how to serve impartially, including by avoiding prejudgment of the facts at issue, conflicts of interest, and bias;
             iii.Receives training on any technology to be used at a live hearing and on issues of relevance of questions and evidence, including when questions and evidence about the complainant’s sexual predisposition or prior sexual behavior are not relevant, as set forth in Section VII(G)(4);
             iv. Receives training on issues of relevance to create an investigative report that fairly summarizes relevant evidence, as set forth in Section VII(G)(4); and
             v. Uses training materials that do not rely on sex stereotypes.
3. Give all parties an equal opportunity to submit within five (5) calendar days of the outcome a written statement in support of, or challenging, the outcome;
         a.    Include a presumption that the respondent is not responsible for the alleged conduct until a determination regarding responsibility is made at the conclusion of the complaint process;
         b.    Issue a written decision within five (5) calendar days of receiving a written statement in support of, or challenging, the outcome describing the result of the appeal and the rationale for the result; and
         c.    Provide the written decision simultaneously to all parties.
4. The review on appeal is limited to the record, except in appeals based on newly discovered evidence that could affect the outcome of the matter and that was not reasonably available at the time the determination regarding responsibility or dismissal was made. In such appeals, newly discovered evidence may be considered on appeal notwithstanding its absence from the record.

J. Informal Resolution.

1. If a formal complaint of sexual harassment is filed, and at any time prior to reaching a determination regarding responsibility, an institution may offer the parties the option of informal resolution and may facilitate an informal resolution process that does not involve a full investigation and adjudication, provided that the institution:  a.    Provides to the parties a written notice disclosing the allegations; setting forth the requirements of the informal resolution process, including the circumstances under which its agreed upon resolution precludes the parties from resuming a formal complaint arising from the same allegations; and explaining that any statements made or documentation or information provided by a party during the informal resolution process shall not be used or relied upon in a subsequent complaint process or live hearing without the permission of the party who made the statement or provided the documentation or information; b.    Obtains the parties’ voluntary, informed written consent to the informal resolution process; and c.    Does not offer or facilitate an informal resolution process to resolve allegations that an employee sexually harassed a student.
2. At any time prior to agreeing to a resolution, any party has the right to withdraw from the informal resolution process and resume the complaint process with respect to the formal complaint, and any consequences resulting from participating in the informal resolution process, including the records that will be maintained or could be shared.
3. An institution shall not require the parties to participate in an informal resolution process for any reason, and shall not require as a condition of enrollment or continuing enrollment, or employment or continuing employment, or enjoyment of any other right, waiver of the right to an investigation and adjudication of formal complaints of sexual harassment consistent with this Section VII.
4. An individual serving as a facilitator of an informal resolution process shall not be the Title IX Coordinator, Title IX investigator, Title IX hearing officer, witness, or other institutional employee that has a duty to disclose allegations of sexual harassment to the institution.

K. Recordkeeping.

1. An institution must maintain for a period of at least seven (7) years records of:

a. Each sexual harassment investigation including any determination regarding responsibility and any audio or audiovisual recording or transcript required under Section VII(G)(7), any disciplinary sanctions imposed on the respondent, and any remedies provided to the complainant designed to restore or preserve equal access to the institution’s education program or activity;
b.  Any appeal and the result therefrom;
c.  Any informal resolution and the result therefrom; and
d. All materials used to train Title IX Coordinators, investigators, hearing officers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process. An institution must make these training materials publicly available on its website, or if the institution does not maintain a website the institution must make these materials available upon request for inspection by members of the public;
e. For each response required under Sections VII(B) and VII(C), an institution must create, and maintain for a period of seven (7) years, records of any actions, including any supportive measures, taken in response to a report or formal complaint of sexual harassment. In each instance, the institution must document the basis for its conclusion that its response was not deliberately indifferent, and document that it has taken measures designed to restore or preserve equal access to the institution’s education program or activity. If an institution does not provide a complainant with supportive measures, then the institution must document the reasons why such a response was not clearly unreasonable in light of the known circumstances. The documentation of certain bases or measures does not limit the institution in the future from providing additional explanations or detailing additional measures taken.

L. False Reports.

Because discrimination and sexual harassment frequently involve interactions between persons that are not witnessed by others, reports of discrimination or sexual harassment cannot always be substantiated by additional evidence. Lack of corroborating evidence or “proof” should not discourage individuals from reporting discrimination or sexual harassment under this policy. However, individuals who knowingly make false reports or submit false information during the complaint process may be subject to disciplinary action under the applicable institution and Board of Regents disciplinary procedures. This provision does not apply to reports made in good faith, even if the facts alleged in the report cannot be substantiated by subsequent investigation.

M. Retaliation.

1. Retaliation Prohibited.
   No institution or other person may intimidate, threaten, coerce, or discriminate against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by Title IX or this part, or because the individual has made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this part. Intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination, including charges against an individual for code of conduct violations that do not involve sex discrimination or sexual harassment, but arise out of the same facts or circumstances as a report or complaint of sex discrimination, or a report or formal complaint of sexual harassment, for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by Title IX or this part, constitutes retaliation. The institution must keep confidential the identity of any individual who has made a report or complaint of sex discrimination, including any individual who has made a report or filed a formal complaint of sexual harassment, any complainant, any individual who has been reported to have engaged in sex discrimination, any respondent, and any witness, except as may be permitted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. § 1232g, or FERPA regulations, 34 CFR part 99, or as required by law, or to carry out the purposes of 34 CFR part 106, including the conduct of any investigation, hearing, or judicial proceeding arising thereunder. Complaints alleging retaliation may be filed according to the complaint procedures for sex discrimination required to be adopted under 34 CFR § 106.8(c).
2. Specific circumstances.

a. The exercise of rights protected under the First Amendment does not constitute retaliation prohibited under Section VII(M(1).  
b.  Charging an individual with a code of conduct violation for making a materially false statement in bad faith in the course of a complaint proceeding under this part does not constitute retaliation prohibited under Section VII(M)(1), provided, however, that a determination regarding responsibility, alone, is not sufficient to conclude that any party made a materially false statement in bad faith.