Reports of possible sexual harassment may be made to the Dean of Students serving as the campus Title IX Coordinator, including through www.midwestern.edu/just-report-it, or by the other means described herein. The Title IX Coordinator will conduct the initial assessment, coordinate supportive measures, and oversee a prompt, equitable grievance process when a formal Title IX complaint is filed. An impartial investigator will gather evidence; a separate, impartial decisionmaker will conduct the hearing and determine responsibility. Academic Deans or Human Resources may implement sanctions within their respective authority consistent with the decisionmaker's determination and the required simultaneous written notice to both parties. Students may also report possible crimes to external law enforcement. University and law-enforcement investigations may proceed independently and, where appropriate, concurrently. The University applies the preponderance-of-the-evidence standard to all formal Title IX sexual harassment complaints against students and employees, including faculty.
Investigations of student complaints that involve another student or students only will be undertaken as stated above.
Investigations involving a student and an employee may be coordinated jointly by the Title IX office and Human Resources, provided that the investigator, responsibility decisionmaker, and appellate decisionmaker remain appropriately independent and impartial. The Senior Vice President for Human Resources may implement disciplinary action against an employee consistent with the Title IX written determination and applicable employment procedures. Human Resources participation must not displace the formal Title IX grievance protections.
Student complaints concerning non-sexual harassment or other alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct are governed under the Student Handbook’s section on the Student Judicial System.
Students determined responsible for sexual misconduct following the applicable University process may be found in violation of the University's 'Code of Responsibilities of the Students of Midwestern University,' as stated in The Code of the Responsibilities and Rights of Students section of this Handbook. Disciplinary sanctions may include, but are not limited to, a warning, probation, suspension, or dismissal. Alleged conduct may also be reported to or investigated by law enforcement under Illinois or Arizona law. Employees may be disciplined in accordance with applicable Human Resources policies after the required Title IX process, when applicable.
Employees charged with violations may also be prosecuted under Illinois or Arizona criminal statutes.