Trained Ashland University employees.  Their role is to provide information about policies, procedures, and the resolution process; provide support, advice, and guidance throughout the process, to follow-up after completion of the process and refer available resources as needed. Advisors do not act as an advocate or legal counsel for either party.

Both parties have the right to have an advocate, who may be an attorney but not also a witness. Advocates may attend any or all Title IX proceedings and is the student’s designated spokesperson during live hearing cross-examination questioning. (Students are not permitted to directly speak to or ask questions of the other party during formal hearings).

A Title IX Coordinator (or designee) not involved in the original case serves as the appeal officer.

A three-person panel will be drawn from a pool of Title IX Deputy Coordinators by the Title IX Coordinator. Board Members have been educated and trained on Title IX rules, policies and processes. The board will determine responsible or not responsible outcomes. They will also determine the appropriate sanctions in the event of a responsible outcome. Deputy Coordinators serving as investigators are not permitted to serve as board members.

The duties and responsibilities of the Title IX Coordinators are as follows:

• Coordinate Ashland University Title IX federal compliance by helping to ensure that the university responds appropriately, effectively, and equitably to Title IX issues
• Create specific sexual misconduct materials including: University policy and resources
• Train new students and new employees as well as those employees designated as “responsible employees” on the university Title IX policy, processes and resources
• Provide a preventative education program (including bystander prevention efforts as well as Title IX policies and protections) with the University community
• Maintain Safety Services protocols to respond to sexual misconduct complaints
• Appoint Title IX Deputy Coordinators as needed. Ensure coordination with Title IX Deputy Coordinators and appropriate staff with relevant responsibilities including, but not limited to: prevention and education, law enforcement and university student conduct, housing, medical services, counseling services, and safety of students, employees, third party contractors and guests
• Conduct an annual review of all Title IX complaints. Analyze trends or patterns of sexual misconduct on campus and assess the University’s responses. Annually assess the overall efforts of the University’s compliance with Title IX policies.

Trained University employee who serves in the capacity of Title IX committee member, advisor, investigator, or board member.

Title IX Coordinator (or designee) who is responsible for the administration of the Title IX Hearing Board.

A person who reports that they have experienced, have actual knowledge of or directly witnessed sexual misconduct.

A person reported as a potential violator of Title IX/Sexual Misconduct Policy.

Ashland University uses preponderance of the evidence standard. If, based upon the information provided in an investigation, it is “more likely than not” that the reported behavior occurred or when the evidence suggests a “tipping the scales” of only 51-49%, the preponderance of evidence has been achieved.