Thousands of international students attend Missouri colleges and universities to seize the rewarding opportunities the United States education system has to offer. In turn, they better Missouri campuses by diversifying them and adding a fresh, valuable perspective to these academic environments. Title IX policies are intended to protect international students, just as much as they are meant to protect native Missourians. This is the case for international students who are accusers, known as “complainants,” and the accused, referred to as “respondents.”
Title IX policies can have serious consequences for any student accused of sexual misconduct. However, international students must be aware of how Title IX policies specifically impact them.
Understanding Title IX
The federal civil rights law Title IX of the Education Amendments has been enforced to protect students from gender-based discrimination in federally funded colleges and universities, regardless of immigration status, citizen status, or national origin. Sexual misconduct in all of its forms - sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, etc. - is considered gender-based discrimination in accordance with this law. Therefore, under current guidelines, higher education institutions are required to fairly and promptly adjudicate all complaints alleging this misconduct.
The Effects of Sexual Misconduct Allegations on Missouri International Students
Being a respondent in sexual misconduct cases already comes with its inherent drawbacks. Most respondents, for example, claim to be treated less favorably than complainants despite the fact that Title IX endorses that the interests of both students should be equally considered.
But being a respondent who is an international student comes with unique challenges. International students are more prone to experience alienation, not only due to the nature of the Title IX process but as a result of being unfamiliar with certain American customs. Many international students may not be aware of the rights they're entitled, or the expectations and obligations of an accused student. For international students who may not understand some concepts like a burden of proof and investigatory procedures in the Title IX process and hearings, being accused can be a very confusing situation.
Sexual Misconduct Allegations and Student Visas
The unfortunate reality is that international students have more to lose than native students when accused of sexual misconduct.
To study in the United States, international students must acquire a student visa. For this visa to remain effective, international students must fulfill the requirement of maintaining a full-time course load, which is equivalent to at least 12 academic credit hours per semester. Accusations of sexual misconduct can bring your education to a temporary halt depending on the circumstances, or a permanent halt due to expulsion - which can happen if an international student is found “responsible” for said misconduct. Overall, sexual misconduct allegations can result in an international student losing their visa.
Missouri Title IX Advisor for Student Defense
The stakes are incredibly high for international students accused of sexual misconduct in Missouri schools. A responsible finding can completely derail your academic and professional plans. If you're an international student who believes that they are innocent and you're seeking help, it's important you reach out to an attorney. Attorney Joseph D. Lento of the Lento Law Firm can help you make sense of your situation and give you options that will increase your chances of a favorable outcome- contact him today at 888-535-3686.
Missouri colleges and universities where Joseph D. Lento can help as your or your international student's Title IX advisor during investigations, hearings, and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following schools:
- Avila University
- Baptist Bible College and Graduate School
- Brown Mackie College St Louis
- Bryan University Springfield
- Calvary Bible College and Theological Seminary
- Central Bible College
- Central Christian College of the Bible
- Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
- Chamberlain College of Nursing Missouri
- College of the Ozarks
- Colorado Technical University Kansas City
- Columbia College
- Conception Seminary College
- Cottey College
- Cox College
- Crowder College
- Culver Stockton College
- DeVry University Missouri
- Drury University
- East Central College
- Evangel University
- Everest College Springfield
- Fontbonne University
- Grantham University
- Hannibal LaGrange University
- Harris Stowe State University
- Hickey College
- ITT Technical Institute Arnold
- ITT Technical Institute Earth City
- ITT Technical Institute Kansas City
- ITT Technical Institute Springfield
- Jefferson College
- Kansas City Art Institute
- Kenrick Glennon Seminary
- L'Ecole Culinaire
- Lincoln University
- Lindenwood University
- Linn State Technical College
- Maryville University of Saint Louis
- Messenger College
- Metro Business College Arnold
- Metro Business College Cape Girardeau
- Metro Business College Jefferson City
- Metro Business College Rolla
- Metropolitan Community College Blue River
- Metropolitan Community College Business & Technology
- Metropolitan Community College Longview
- Metropolitan Community College Maple Woods
- Metropolitan Community College Penn Valley
- Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Mineral Area College
- Missouri Baptist University
- Missouri College
- Missouri Southern State University
- Missouri State University Springfield
- Missouri State University West Plains
- Missouri Tech
- Missouri University of Science and Technology
- Missouri Valley College
- Missouri Western State University
- Moberly Area Community College
- National American University Independence
- National American University Lee's Summit
- National American University Zona Rosa
- North Central Missouri College
- Northwest Missouri State University
- Ozark Christian College
- Ozarks Technical Community College
- Park University
- Pinnacle Career Institute North Kansas City
- Pinnacle Career Institute South Kansas City
- Ranken Technical College
- Research College of Nursing
- Rockhurst University
- Saint Louis Christian College
- Saint Louis Community College
- Saint Louis University Main Campus
- Sanford Brown College Fenton
- Sanford Brown College Hazelwood
- Sanford Brown College St Peters
- Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences
- Southeast Missouri State University
- Southwest Baptist University
- St Charles Community College
- St Louis College of Health Careers Fenton
- St Louis College of Health Careers St Louis
- St Louis College of Pharmacy
- State Fair Community College
- Stephens College
- Stevens Institute of Business & Arts
- Texas County Technical College
- Three Rivers Community College
- Truman State University
- University of Central Missouri
- University of Missouri Columbia
- University of Missouri Kansas City
- University of Missouri St Louis
- University of Phoenix Kansas City Campus
- University of Phoenix Springfield Campus
- University of Phoenix St Louis Campus
- Vatterott College Berkeley
- Vatterott College
- Vatterott College Kansas City
- Vatterott College Saint Joseph
- Vatterott College Springfield
- Vatterott College St Charles
- Vatterott College Sunset Hills
- Washington University in St Louis
- Webster University
- Wentworth Military Academy & Junior College
- Westminster College
- William Jewell College
- William Woods University
All students must be extremely mindful when accused of sexual misconduct at their college or university; international students in particular, however, can have even more concerns at all stage of Title IX proceedings because the stakes are higher yet – When first contacted by their school's Title IX office, when a sexual misconduct investigation begins, when facing a hearing or an appeal, or when seeking further recourse by filing a Title IX complaint with the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights when necessary. For international students who are facing a Title IX case and their families, it is critical to take the necessary precautions as soon as possible, including having an experienced attorney advisor, when accused of sexual misconduct. Unfortunately, some international students, not being as familiar what is at stake and also their rights in the process, will mistakenly believe that if they "just explain what happened," everything will work out. Title IX cases can be won, but international students and their families must recognize, however, that achieving a favorable in a Title IX case requires a dedicated and intensive approach best handled by a professional who has a track record of successes in the Title IX disciplinary arena.
Fighting passionately for the future of international students at colleges and universities throughout the nation for over a decade, Joseph D. Lento knows how important it is to mount the strongest defense because he understands that an international student's academic and professional future and Visa is on the line. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. Joseph Lento is a licensed attorney in New Jersey, is admitted as an attorney pro hac vice in state and federal court if needed when representing clients nationwide, and serves as a Title IX advisor to international students facing sexual misconduct investigations and disciplinary cases in Missouri and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact National Title IX attorney Joseph D. Lento today.
