Advisors

Advisors

Advisors play a critical role in the process by supporting parties, complainants or respondents, involved throughout the entirety of the process. Parties are able to have an advisor/support person accompany them for any meeting. 

The role of an advisor is to serve as a second set of eyes for the advisee and help them understand their rights, guide them through procedures, and may cross-examine the other party and witnesses during live hearings (for Title IX cases only). An advisor can be anyone of a party’s choosing, including an attorney. 

Any party may choose to have an advisor of their choosing present for any meeting, including investigative meetings, with the Office of Equity Compliance (OEC). This advisor can provide assistance as the individual is educated on available resources, process options, and/or makes a report or formal complaint of discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. 

All parties involved in an investigative process under the College’s Sexual Misconduct: Harassment and Discrimination Policy or Anti-Harassment and Discrimination Policy and Grievance Procedures have the right to have an advisor present throughout the process. While advisors may not speak or make requests on behalf of a party, they may be present to provide support.  

During a formal Title IX hearing, if one is conducted, advisors are permitted to ask relevant questions of the other party and any witnesses, in accordance with rules of decorum. The assigned Hearing Chair will determine the relevance and appropriateness of all questions asked by advisors during the hearing.   

The College also has Confidential Advocates who can serve as both advisors and confidential resources to students navigating a Title IX or sexual misconduct process. If a party is interested in confidential support with an advocate, they can do so by contacting that team directly.