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and be allowed to have an advisor of their choosing. This advisor could be a friend, family member, member of DEC’s faculty or administration, a member of the clergy, or an attorney. If the student chooses to have an attorney, they shall be restricted to an advising role and will not be permitted to speak or participate directly in the formal hearing. Both parties will be allowed to offer input into the sanctions imposed should the hearing board find the respondent responsible. Possible sanctions include:
o An order of No Contact for both the complainant and respondent while on DEC property. o A change in academic situations for both the complainant and respondent (if possible).
o Voluntary training/counseling.
o Development of a remediation plan.
o Expulsion or termination of employment from Douglas Education Center.
o Once notified of the outcome both parties have the opportunity to petition for an appeal to the President. Whether or not
a formal hearing is conducted the entire process will be prompt and timely, with a general time frame of 14 business days for investigation and resolution, unless the institution demonstrates good cause for the process to take longer. The Title IX Coordinator will notify both parties of any developments, as appropriate. All matters will be judged using the preponderance of the evidence standard, which means, is it more likely than not that the violation occurred. At any time during the process, the complainant or respondent may request for a change in academic situation and will be granted if possible. Retaliation by, for, or against any participants or witnesses is expressly prohibited. Any person who thinks he/she has been the victim of retaliation should contact the Title IX Coordinator immediately.
Statement of Victims’ Rights
It is the goal of DEC to ensure equality for both the respondent and complainant during a Title IX investigation. The following is a list of rights that all students should expect at DEC: The right of both parties to have access to needed resources, services, and information; The right of both parties to be treated equally and with respect by DEC officials; The right not to be discouraged by the DEC officials from reporting a sexual misconduct offense; The right to a "No Contact" condition against another student who has engaged in or threatens to engage in stalking, threatening, harassing or other improper behavior that presents a danger to the welfare of the complaining student or others; The right to have complaints of sexual assault responded to quickly and with sensitivity by Administration; The right to forgo a formal investigation in favor of informal mediation as long as both parties agree and the situation warrants it; The right to be informed of their options to notify proper law enforcement authorities, if the student so chooses. This also includes their right not to report, if this is the victim's desire; The right to be notified of available medical services, counseling, mental health or student services for victims of sexual assault; The right to notification of and options for, and available assistance in, changing academic and living (residential) situations after an alleged sexual assault incident, if so requested by the victim and if such changes are reasonably available (no disciplinary charges or investigation, DEC or criminal, need occur before this option is available); The right not to have irrelevant prior sexual history admitted in a DEC hearing; The right for both parties to review all written statements regarding any discussion that will be presented following at an initial conference (and prior to the disciplinary hearing; The right for both parties to ask questions of the hearing board and via the hearing board indirectly request responses from the complainant and any other witnesses present; The right to submit a written victim impact statement to the hearing panel prior to the panel rendering a final decision; The right to be informed of the outcome and any sanctions imposed from a disciplinary hearing involving sexual misconduct; and Both the accuser and the accused are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during a disciplinary hearing. The accuser and the accused will be informed of the outcome of any institutional disciplinary proceeding alleging a sex offense.
TITLE IX COMMITTEE
• Michael Crosby ‐ Senior Financial Aid Coordinator / Primary Campus Security Authority / Title IX Coordinator DEC Administration Building ‐Office # 203 724‐653‐2196 mcrosby@dec.edu
• Debra Wise ‐Director of Financial Services DEC Administration Building ‐Office # 303 724‐653‐2204 dwise@dec.edu
• Tony Baez Milan ‐Executive Director of Admissions DEC Welcome Center Office # 207 724‐653‐2183 tbaez@dec.edu
Other Resources:
You can help to ensure that victims have access to services they need to feel safe and receive counseling. Direct the victim to the following resources:
Blackburn Center
(888) 832‐2272 www.blackburncenter.org
Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (866) 363‐7273
www.paar.net
The C.A.R.E. Center— STTARS Program (888) 480‐7283
www.sphs.org
Center for Victims
(866) 644‐2882 www.centerforvictims.org
The National Sexual Assault Hotline
1‐800‐656‐HOPE (4673) The National Sexual Assault Online Hotline www.rainn.org
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Catalog Volume 62 ‐Version 3 Effective June 5, 2020