Accusations of sexual assault, sexual harassment, rape, or any form of sexual misconduct at SUNY College at Buffalo is a Title IX violation that the school has the responsibility to resolve. If you are a student at SUNY College who has been found “responsible” this misconduct, you could be exposed to serious consequences that could jeopardize your plans to graduate.
For the purposes of this article, we'll highlight SUNY's disciplinary process and why you need an attorney-advisor if you find yourself in this predicament.
SUNY College's Disciplinary Process
Under Title IX, SUNY College is required to adjudicate any cases of sexual misconduct brought to the institution's attention. The Department of Education urges compliant higher education institutions like SUNY to respond to these accusations in a manner that is prompt and equitable. If the university fails to do so, its federal funding is at stake. Complainants (the reporter of the complaint) and especially respondents (the person accused of sexual misconduct) should understand that their school will approach their case with the utmost seriousness, and each party should follow suit.
Filing a Complaint
There are several requirements for filing:
- A grievance must be submitted in writing on forms provided by the Equity and Campus Diversity Office
- An employee or student must file a complaint within 90 calendar days following the alleged misconduct or the date on which the complainant first knew or reasonably should have known of such act if the date is later
- Any use of the word “day” or “days” refers to calendar days
Initial Meeting
The Title IX Coordinator will discuss the matter with both the complainant and the respondent. Both parties will learn about policies and procedures, be informed of their rights, and given the chance to choose an advisor.
The Investigation
During the course of an investigation, a third party will:
- Give the respondent proper notice of the complaint and investigation and provide him or her an opportunity to render information
- Interview the complainant, the respondent, and any material witnesses
- Gather all relevant documentary and/or physical evidence
- Complete the investigation in a timely manner, without unnecessary deviation from the intended timeline
- Maintain communication with the complainant and the respondent on the status of the investigation and overall process
The Hearing
Next, a hearing will ensue. In this hearing, a Tripartite Panel comprised of faculty and staff will, based on the findings of the investigation, come up with a determination. If the panel decides the respondent is, in fact, responsible for the incident of sexual misconduct, sanctions will be recommended.
Appeals
Students have within 5 calendar days of the date of receipt of the decision to file a written appeal to an Appeal Officer. The appeal must include a detailed statement that highlights the grounds upon which the appeal is based.
New York Title IX Attorney
If you've been accused of sexual misconduct at SUNY College at Buffalo, you can choose anyone to be your advisor in the Title IX process. Because the stakes are so high, it would be in your best interest to choose a legal professional who can help you effectively navigate the process and build a solid defense for you. Contact attorney Joseph D. Lento today at 888-535-3686 for help.
