Terms Related to Title IX Investigations
A trained Ashland University employee who provides support, guidance and information about Title IX policies and procedures to their assigned party. After the matter is formally resolved, advisors follow up with their respective parties and refer additional resources as needed. Advisors do not act as an advocate or legal counsel.
The designated spokesperson of an assigned party in a Title IX investigation. If the advocate is an attorney, they may not act as a witness. Both parties have the right to an advocate. Advocates may attend any or all Title IX proceedings, including live hearing cross-examination questioning (as students are not permitted to speak directly to or ask questions of the other party during formal hearings).
A Title IX Coordinator or designee not involved in the original case.
One of three Title IX Deputy Coordinators chosen by the Hearing Officer to participate in a Title IX hearing and determine responsible or not responsible outcomes; in the event of a responsible outcome, the three-person panel will also determine appropriate sanctions. Potential board members have been trained and educated on Title IX rules, policies and processes.
An individual who handles Title IX affairs for Ashland University, including the initial report and following investigation. Ashland University has a dedicated team of Coordinators who:
- Establish the university as federally compliant with Title IX by ensuring that the university responds appropriately, effectively and equitably to Title IX issues.
- Create specific sexual misconduct materials, including university policies and resources.
- Train new students, employees and employees designated “responsible employees” on Title IX policies, processes and resources.
- Provide a preventative education program to the Ashland University community, which includes bystander prevention efforts and Title IX policies and protections.
- Maintain Safety Services protocols to respond to reports of sexual misconduct.
- Appoint Title IX Deputy Coordinators as needed.
- Ensure coordination between Title IX Deputy Coordinators and appropriate staff regarding responsibilities including, but not limited to, prevention and education, law enforcement and university student conduct, housing, medical services, counseling services and safety of students, employees, third-party contractors and guests.
- Conduct an annual review of all Title IX complaints, including an analysis of trends or patterns of sexual misconduct on campus, an assessment of the university’s responses and an assessment of the university’s overall efforts toward compliance with Title IX policies.
A trained Ashland University employee who serves as a Title IX advisor, investigator, committee member or board member as needed. Deputy Coordinators serving as investigators are not permitted to serve as board members.
A Title IX Coordinator or designee responsible for the administration of the Title IX Hearing Board, including the selection of board members.
An individual who reports that they have experienced, have actual knowledge of or were a direct witness of sexual misconduct, discrimination, harassment or other Title IX violation.
An individual reported as a potential violator of Title IX/Sexual Misconduct Policy.
An employee of Ashland University who serves as a mandated reporter to the Title IX Coordinator. Mandated reporters are required by state law to report known or suspected Title IX violations and abuse or neglect of minors to local law enforcement and/or the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA).
The amount of evidence necessary to prove that the reported incident occurred. Ashland University uses preponderance of the evidence standard. If it is concluded that it is more likely than not that the reported violation occurred, whether based upon the information provided during the investigation or evidence that tips the scales toward 51% and 49%, the preponderance of evidence has been achieved.
Terms Related to Title IX Violations
A person who witnesses an act that is problematic, harmful or abusive and chooses to challenge that act to support the victim.
Repeated, severe and/or aggressive behavior intended to intimidate, harm, control, threaten or diminish another person, physically or mentally. Bullying may include physical, mental, verbal and/or sexual abuse.
Unreasonable pressure to perform an activity, sexual or otherwise.
Permission for an activity to occur. Consent may be given by word or action so long as those words or actions provide mutually understandable intent to all involved parties. If an individual denies consent, they do not give permission for an act to occur.
A pattern of abusive behaviors used to exert power and/or control over a current or former partner in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature. These behaviors may include, but are not limited to physical, emotional, sexual, verbal or economic abuse; threats of abuse; and acts that intimidate, isolate, manipulate, humiliate, coerce, frighten, blame or hurt an individual. Patterns indicative of domestic violence may include consistent tension in the household; explosive outbursts of verbal, emotional and/or physical abuse; and repeated apologies where the abuser shifts the blame for their behavior.
Actions that interfere with or negatively impact the education, employment, benefits or other opportunities presented to an individual on the basis or sex or gender (even if those actions are not sexual in nature).
Hostile actions such as verbal or nonverbal abuse, physical aggression and intimidation performed on the basis of sex or gender (even if those actions are not sexual in nature).
Actions likely to cause physical or psychological harm or social ostracism to any person within the university community, both voluntary and involuntary. Hazing is typically involved with the admission, initiation, pledging, joining or ongoing membership of any group, club or activity.
The exposure of the private or intimate parts of the body in a lewd manner, the intent being for other, non-consenting individuals to observe the responding party. Indecent exposure may occur in public or in private.
Implied threats or acts that cause unreasonable fear of harm in another.
Intentional, sexual touching inflicted by any person upon any other person without consent. Sexual contact includes touching with body parts and objects.
Sexual penetration (anal, oral or vaginal) inflicted, however slight, by any person upon any other person without consent. Sexual intercourse includes penetration with body parts and objects.
A favor or advantage granted to a person in exchange for another favor or advantage. For the purposes of this Policy, quid pro quo describes sexual favors performed for the purposes of admission to or promotion within university-affiliated programs, activities or employment (as well as non-university programs, activities and employment on campus).
The act of taking advantage of a person in a sexual manner that is non-consensual, unjust and/or abusive. Examples of sexual exploitation include, but are not limited to, invasion of sexual privacy; prostitution of an individual; non-consensual recording of sexual activities, both audio and video; evading or going beyond the boundaries of consent; engaging in voyeurism; knowingly transmitting a sexually transmitted infection or HIV to an individual; and exposing or inducing exposure of one’s genitals without consent. Stalking and/or bullying with sexual intent may also be considered forms of sexual exploitation.
Any act or conduct characterized by unwelcome sexual remarks, physical advances, requests for sexual favors or otherwise non-consensual behavior.
An all-encompassing term that includes, but is not limited to, sexual assault, sexual abuse, non-consensual sexual acts and other acts, both attempted and successful, performed against one’s sexuality.
Repeated acts of following, harassing and/or threatening a specific individual.