REPORTING
Students who wish to make a report alleging an issue of sexual misconduct or harassment perpetrated by a student, employee, or other individual connected to the college have multiple options. You may contact the Title IX Coordinator, the Campus Safety Office, or make use of our simple online reporting form.
If a person reports an offense but does not wish for his or her name to be shared, does not want an investigation to take place, and/or does not want a formal resolution to be pursued, the reporting party may make such a request to the Title IX Coordinator who will evaluate that request considering the duty to ensure the safety of the campus and comply with federal law.
When a person reports an offense and allows the college to investigate, we still afford privacy to the reporting party, to the extent possible and the reporting party will be notified as to who is told. Information will be shared as necessary with investigators, witnesses, and the responding party. The circle of people with this knowledge will be kept as tight as possible to preserve a reporting party’s rights and privacy.
Title IX Coordinators are trained annually. The training materials are available at https://www.abhe.org/title-ix-training/
Title IX Coordinator:
Rev. Michael Scott, Dean of Students
Academy 110 | [email protected]
Northpoint Campus Safety:
24/7 Response: (978) 478-3409
PROCESS
Initial Report and Assessment. Contact can be made directly to the Title IX Officer or can be received by any employee and will be forwarded to a Title IX officer to identify any necessary interim measures.
Preliminary inquiry and finding. Title IX officer reviews the report and determines if there is reasonable cause to proceed (typically 1-3 days in duration). Based on the preliminary finding, Title IX officer may initiate an informal resolution or may ask for an investigator to be appointed.
Informal Resolution. For allegations that do not involve sexual assault, the Coordinator may facilitate conversations among the reporting party and the responding party to try and resolve the conflict, if both parties are willing. If informal resolution successfully concludes, the matter is considered resolved and no appeal is available. If informal resolution fails or is not appropriate, an investigator is appointed.
Advisors. Each party may have an Advisor of their choice present with them for all meetings, interviews, and hearings within the resolution process. Parties may select whomever they wish as their Advisor as long as the Advisor is eligible (no conflicting roles) and available (able to be present during scheduled times).
Investigation summary. The investigator will document statements from the reporting party, responding party, and any applicable witnesses to produce a timeline of the evidence. Both parties will have opportunity to review their summary and add additional information or clarification, prior to a formal resolution.
Formal Resolution. After input from both parties, the investigator will finalize the investigative summary, make a determination as to preponderance of the evidence, and forward it to the appropriate party.
Live Hearing. Once the final investigation report is shared with the parties, the Title IX Coordinator will refer the matter for a hearing. The Title IX Coordinator will select appropriate Decision-makers from the Grievance Process Pool (trained employees) depending on whether the Respondent is an employee or a student. Decision-makers will hear and make determinations on all allegations of sexual harassment and/or retaliation.
Appeal, if desired. Any party may file a Request for Appeal, but it must be submitted in writing to the Title IX Coordinator within 5 business days of the delivery of the Notice of Outcome.
RIGHTS
Rights of the Complainant (person making the report) and Respondent (person alleged to be responsible) are protected during the Title IX investigation process. Several rights afforded to both parties include:
The right to have support from the college as an incident is investigated.
The right to be treated with dignity and respect.
The right to changes in academic, professional, or living conditions if possible and necessary.
The right to bring an advisor or support person to every interview / meeting.
The right to name witnesses.
The right to appeal