When a Title IX accusation hits, it's like the floor drops out from under you. These rules, meant to handle sex-based discrimination, can be confusing and overwhelming, leaving you struggling to figure out what to do next.
The consequences aren't just academic—suspensions or expulsions can wreck your chances at scholarships, tarnish your reputation, and close doors to future opportunities. A Title IX case can leave a mark that stays with you long after the classroom or campus fades away.
The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team is ready to fight for you in Title IX cases in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls area. Call us at 888.535.3686or fill out our confidential consultation form. We are experienced and can help you get the best possible outcome.
Caught in the Crosshairs: What Behavior Violates Title IX?
Accusations can rise from the smallest sparks: a careless word, a moment's misstep, or something twisted by another's lens. But in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls scene, where universities and colleges wear their community pride like badges of honor, the response is swift, sharp, and often unforgiving. It's a race against time, a game where the accused is always a step behind, scrambling in a system that's already stacked.
Title IX violations cover a lot of ground, from harassment and assault to retaliation and discrimination. Actions that seemed harmless—like a joke, asking someone out, or a poorly thought-out remark—can be interpreted differently in a highly charged environment.
Common Title IX issues include:
- Retaliation: Retaliation allegations might stem from something as simple as a changed grade, exclusion from a social group, or a denied leadership opportunity. The challenge here? Defending your intentions in a scenario where actions can be easily misinterpreted as hostile.
- Gender-Based Violence: The spectrum is broad—what one person might view as persistence or an awkward interaction, another might perceive as threatening or violent. These claims carry serious weight and can escalate quickly into formal investigations.
- Sexual Harassment: What might feel like a casual remark or harmless joke can quickly be labeled as harassment if someone finds it offensive or unwelcome. It's not always about intent—perception plays a massive role here. Whether it's a passing comment, a text message, or even a misunderstood gesture, things escalate quickly.
- Discrimination: Discrimination can happen in all sorts of places—in the classroom, on the field, online, in the library—the list is endless. It could be something as small as a look, a comment, or being left out. The problem is, sometimes it's hard to tell what's okay and what isn't. It's a tough spot to be in, especially if you get accused of something that wasn't even meant to be wrong.
Navigating the politics and escalating emotions can feel overwhelming.
Title IX Rules: What's Changing and How It Could Affect You
Here's what's shaking up the Title IX landscape:
- Jurisdiction Gone Wild: Title IX now extends far beyond campus, covering off-campus events, online activity, and even study-abroad incidents.
- Blurred Lines: What counts as a violation? The answer is murkier than ever, with even small actions under scrutiny.
- Evolving Rights: Protections for the accused in Title IX cases may include live hearings (with the chance to cross-examine witnesses), access to all evidence being used in the investigation, and the right to have an attorney or advisor present during proceedings. Other safeguards, like receiving detailed notice of allegations and the ability to submit evidence or call witnesses, aim to ensure fairness but can vary as policies evolve.
Each college in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls area approaches Title IX compliance differently, creating challenges for those accused of violations. Here's how Title IX is handled at individual institutions and what to look out for.
- University at Buffalo (UB): As a large public university, UB has a robust Title IX office and detailed policies for addressing complaints. As part of the State University of New York (SUNY), UB follows SUNY guidelines, which emphasize timely investigations and hearings. However, the sheer size of UB means that cases can feel impersonal, with students navigating a bureaucratic system that's a maze.
- Buffalo State: Buffalo State, also part of the SUNY system, enforces Title IX with a focus on maintaining a safe campus environment. Their website offers this information:
- The types of activities that invoke Title IX protections are gender discrimination, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and/or stalking. Members of the college faculty and staff – including student staff members – who are informed about allegations of sexual harassment, sexual violence, or any of the behaviors listed above are expected to report those allegations to their supervisors or to any of the offices listed below.
- D'Youville College: D'Youville College was founded as an all-girls Roman Catholic school, although it is now co-ed. It is named after St. Marguerite d'Youville, the Patroness Saint of the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart. The College takes Title IX violations seriously. However, for those accused under Title IX, the process can feel overwhelming and biased, especially given the University's religious roots.
- Canisius University: At this private Jesuit school, Title IX allegations don't just follow the usual legal standards—they also get filtered through the lens of the school's religious values. That means the process might involve more than just compliance with federal rules; it could also touch on moral and ethical expectations unique to the university. For students, this can feel like navigating a double standard, with outcomes affecting not just academics but also how they're viewed in the campus community.
- Niagara University: University, another private institution, combines Title IX compliance with its Vincentian mission of service and respect for all individuals. But in close-knit campus environments like Niagara, accusations can quickly impact a student's reputation, even before a formal resolution.
- Daemen College: College places a strong emphasis on fostering free expression while adhering to federal Title IX guidelines. It states:
- No university can or should guarantee that every idea expressed in its classrooms or laboratories will be inoffensive to all; if it is pursued seriously, education and scholarship necessarily entail raising questions about received opinions and conventional interpretations.
- The school recognizes that education can't be sugarcoated—sometimes, it's about challenging ideas and confronting uncomfortable truths. That said, it still takes Title IX violations seriously, which means students may find themselves in hot water if their actions cross the line, even if it's part of a broader academic conversation.
- Hilbert College: As a Franciscan college, Hilbert integrates its values of peace and justice into Title IX compliance. Hilbert sets forth its Title IX procedure clearly:
- College assures the campus community that it will:
- Treat Complainants and Respondents equitably.
- Ensure that any person designated by Hilbert College as a Title IX Coordinator or investigator does not have a conflict of interest or bias for or against Complainants or Respondents generally or an individual Complainant or Respondent.
- Establish prompt timeframes for the major stages of the grievance procedures, including a process that allows for the reasonable extension of timeframes on a case-by-case basis for good cause with notice to the Parties that includes the reason for the delay.
- Ensure that reasonable steps to protect the privacy of the Parties and witnesses during the pendency of the Grievance Procedure are taken, provided that the steps do not restrict the abilities of the Parties to obtain and present evidence, including by speaking to witnesses, consult with their family members, confidential resources, or advisors, or otherwise prepare for or participate in this grievance procedure.
- Ensure an objective evaluation of all evidence that is relevant and not otherwise impermissible under this procedure, including both inculpatory and exculpatory evidence, and provide that credibility determinations must not be based on a person's status as a Complainant, Respondent, or Witness.
This sounds great on paper, but in reality, accusations may be judged not just legally but also through the school's moral framework.
Whether you're at a major university or a smaller college, the landscape and values—often unspoken—are everything.
Why Waiting Could Ruin Everything
Facing a Title IX allegation? Time is not on your side. Schools might promise fairness, but their priority is often speed and optics—not justice. Without a skilled attorney in your corner, you're risking:
- Derailing Your Future: A suspension or expulsion can wreck your goals.
- Permanent Damage to Your Reputation: A Title IX mark can stick with you for years, complicating everything from job hunts to school transfers.
Take control before it's too late.
The Lento Law Firm: Your Shield in the Fight Against Title IX Allegations
At the Lento Law Firm, we bring clarity and strength to the process. We're by your side every step of the way. Here's what we do:
- Strategic Defense: We uncover inconsistencies and flaws in the investigation.
- Comprehensive Support: Hearings, meetings, appeals—we're there for all of it.
- Results That Matter: We fight to protect your education, your reputation, and your future.
Why Title IX Fallout Doesn't End When the Case Does
Think it's over once the hearing is done? Think again. A Title IX sanction isn't just a temporary setback—it's a lifelong obstacle.
- Career Roadblocks: Employers and grad schools see Title IX marks as a red flag, and you may never get the chance to tell your side of the story.
- Lost Academic Opportunities: Getting suspended or expelled can mess up everything. You lose your spot in school, miss out on scholarships, and all your plans for the future can feel like they're falling apart.
- Social Isolation: Even false claims can leave lasting scars on your personal and professional relationships.
Title IX is a legal battle with consequences that ripple through every aspect of your life.
The Lento Law Firm: Nationwide Leaders in Title IX Defense
We don't just represent you—we transform what it means to fight for justice in Title IX cases.
- National Experience: From elite universities to small-town colleges, we've successfully defended clients across the country. Our deep knowledge of school policies and legal frameworks ensures we're ready for even the most complex cases.
- Master Negotiators: We're fierce advocates when it's time to fight, but we also know when to negotiate smartly. By cutting through bureaucratic red tape, we secure outcomes that work for you.
- Pioneers in Legal Strategy: Title IX policies are in flux. Our cutting-edge defense tactics are built to tackle even the latest changes.
- Personalized Advocacy: No cut-and-paste defense here. We craft tailored strategies and build a defense that's designed for you.
- Judgment-Free Zone: We are always here to help, never to judge.
With the Lento Law Firm on your side, you've got a team protecting your future.
The Stakes Are High. The Lento Law Firm Delivers
This is more than a school hearing—it's your life, your goals, and your future at stake. Let the Lento Law Firm help secure it.
The Title IX process can be stacked against the accused, and delays can make it worse. Your education and future are far too valuable to gamble with.
Call us today at 888.535.3686or fill out our confidential consultation form to get started. Don't face this alone. Let us help you to craft a strong Title IX defense and navigate toward the best outcome.
