Title IX law is in constant flux, with new rules and legal challenges continuing to shape how schools, colleges, and other institutions handle sex-based misconduct and discrimination.  Our firm closely monitors these developments and is committed to providing the most current information available. Click here to learn about the current state of Title IX and how we can help if you are facing accusations or other Title IX issues. 

Known as the only public university in the nation’s capital, the University of the District of Columbia is where many in-state and out-of-state students have chosen to pursue their undergraduate and graduate degrees. Much like other federally funded schools, this institution places on emphasis on integrity, and has implemented federal regulations for all members of its campus community to abide by. Civil rights legislation, Title IX, specifically condemns and outright bars the exhibition of gender-based discriminatory behavior by UDC students.

Sexual misconduct is considered gender-based discrimination in accordance with Title IX, which means that schools are obligated to investigate and resolve all complaints reported of this nature. Students facing allegations of said behavior have been known to undergo dire repercussions upon being found responsible for sexual misconduct. In some cases, these consequences have kept students from fulfilling the ultimate goal of attending UDC in the first place: getting a degree. If you have been accused of sexual misconduct, it’s important you understand the processes you are about to undergo, and the value of a dependable lawyer to occupy the role of an advisor throughout this process.

For the purposes of this article, we will provide a brief overview of UDC’s Title IX process.

Title IX Process

UDC plans on wrapping up processes entirely within sixty calendar days, depending on the allegations presented. Throughout the process, an individual who identifies as a victim/survivor of the alleged sexual misconduct is referred to as a “complainant,” while an individual who is accused of said behavior will be referred to as a “respondent.”

Interim measures

When a complaint is received by the school’s Title IX coordinator, one of his or her’s first moves is protecting a complainant from potential retaliation – a serious violation of school policy. In an effort to do so, a Title IX coordinator and other school authorities may impose interim measures to keep all parties safe. The following measures may be temporarily imposed throughout the course of the school’s Title IX process:

  • The issuing of a no contact order (no verbal, written, or third party communication between parties)
  • Parking and/or transportation accommodations
  • Housing rearrangements
  • Chances in work schedule or job assignments
  • Restrictive access to certain areas of the university etc.

Investigation

This is the phase where respondents will be given a chance to tell their side of the story, and provide evidence to support their account of events. They, along with a complainant, and witnesses will be separately and thoroughly interviewed by fact-finding investigators. Once all the information is gathered, investigators will attempt to come to a resolution by comprising an investigative finding that indicates a determination of responsibility and a recommended sanction(s), if applicable. All decisions made in the investigation phase will be based on the preponderance of evidence standard – the evidence dictates that it was more likely than not or likely that a violation occurred.

Appeals

The outcome of an investigation may be appealed by a respondent. An appeal is a written request for a school to reconsider a determination and/or sanction(s). But in order for an appeal to be granted, it must be based on reasonable grounds. The sole grounds for an appeal includes, but is not limited to:

  • A procedural error significantly affected a determination and/or sanction
  • New information that was not available at the time of an investigator surfaced that could have reasonably affected a determination and/or sanction
  • The sanction is not proportionate to the severity of a violation

Students have within 5 business days to submit a written appeal.

Title IX Advisor

Choosing an attorney as your advisor can level the playing field in a system that is designed to slight and disadvantage you. LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team has helped guide students who were once in through these processes successfully, and they can do the same for you. Contact us today for help.

Title IX violations and Title IX charges can change an accused student’s life if not defended against properly and as early as possible during the disciplinary process, and LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team has nearly a decade of experience passionately fighting for the future of our clients at universities and colleges throughout the nation. They do not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead, prioritizes our clients’ needs and well-being. The LLF National Law Firm Team represents clients nationwide, and serves as Title IX advisors and educational consultants to students facing disciplinary cases in Washington, D. C. and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student’s interests are protected – Contact LLF National Law Firm today.

Washington DC

Tell About Your Case

When Congressional Investigations Collide with Campus Discipline: What the Columbia-Foxx Lawsuit Means for Students

A suspended Columbia University student’s federal lawsuit against U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx shows how outside forces can influence a student’s disciplinary outcome. A congressional investigation, social media posts, and institutional politics all converged on one student’s academic future. For students and families navigating conduct proceedings anywhere in the country, this […]

A Turning Point for Campus Rights: SCOTUS to Decide if University Employees Can Sue Under Title IX

On May 18, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the case Crowther v. Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. This pivotal case will resolve an 8–3 federal circuit split regarding whether college and university employees have the right to sue their institutions for sex discrimination […]

Was Just a Joke — But Your Medical School Calls It “Unprofessional”

Medical schools hold their students to incredibly high standards, both academically and in terms of the broad, often vaguely defined category of “professionalism.” Even a single allegation of unprofessional conduct can have far-reaching consequences, disrupting your education, limiting your residency options, and threatening to derail your career before it even starts. The […]

The Reality of School Suspensions: Protecting Your Child’s Educational Future Starts in Preschool

A Nebraska Public Media article is drawing attention to the long-term effects of suspensions for preschoolers and the disparities among the children schools are suspending. Studies show a correlation between childhood suspensions and poor grades and test scores, behavior problems, and incarcerations later on. For parents of children in preschool, […]