(1) Purpose.  This Supplemental Title IX Grievance Procedure applies only to allegations of sexual harassment as that term is defined by the U.S. Department of Education in 34 C.F.R. §106.30. Nothing in this procedure limits or otherwise restricts the ability of Central Washington University (CWU) to investigate and pursue discipline based on alleged violations of other laws, regulations, or CWU policies prohibiting gender discrimination in education or employment.

(2) Definitions. For purposes of this Supplemental Title IX Grievance Procedure, the following terms are defined as follows:

(A) “Consent” means knowing, voluntary, and clear permission by word or action, to engage in mutually agreed upon sexual activity. Each party has the responsibility to make certain that the other has consented before engaging in the activity. For consent to be valid, there must be at the time of the act of sexual intercourse or sexual contact actual words or conduct indicating freely given agreement to have sexual intercourse or sexual contact.

A person cannot consent if they are unable to understand what is happening or are disoriented, helpless, asleep, or unconscious for any reason, including due to alcohol or other drugs. An individual who engages in sexual activity when the individual knows, or should know, that the other person is physically or mentally incapacitated has engaged in nonconsensual conduct. Intoxication is not a defense against allegations that an individual has engaged in nonconsensual sexual conduct.

(B) “Complainant” means an individual who is alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sexual harassment.

(C) “Respondent” means an individual who has been reported to be the perpetrator of conduct that could constitute sexual harassment.

(D) “Formal Complaint” means a writing submitted by the complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator alleging sexual harassment against a respondent and requesting that CWU conduct an investigation.

(E) “Education Program or Activity” includes locations, events, or circumstances over which the CWU exercised substantial control over both the respondent and the context in which the alleged sexual harassment occurred. It also includes any building owned or controlled by a student organization officially recognized by CWU.

(F) “Grievance Procedure” is the process CWU uses to initiate, informally resolve, and/or investigate allegations that an employee or student has violated Title IX provisions prohibiting sexual harassment.

(G) “Supportive Measures” are non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services offered as appropriate, as reasonably available, and without fee or charge to the complainant or respondent regardless of whether the complainant or the Title IX Coordinator has filed a formal complaint. Supportive measures restore or preserve a party’s access to CWU’s education programs and activities without unreasonably burdening the other party, as determined through an interactive process between the Title IX Coordinator and the party. Supportive measures include measures designed to protect the safety of all parties and/or CWU’s educational environment and to deter sexual harassment or retaliation. Supportive measures may include, without limitation, (i) counseling and other medical assistance, (ii) extensions of deadlines or other course-related adjustments, (iii) modifications of work or class schedules, (iv) leaves of absence, (v) increased security or monitoring of certain areas of campus, and (vi) imposition of orders prohibiting the parties from contacting one another in education or employment situations. Determinations about whether to impose a one-way no contact order must be made on a case-by-case basis. If supportive measures are not provided, the Title IX Coordinator must document in writing why this was clearly reasonable under the circumstances.

(H) “Summary Suspension” means an emergency suspension of a student respondent pending investigation and resolution of disciplinary proceedings pursuant to the procedure and standards set forth in WAC 106-125-100.

(I) “Sexual Harassment,” for purposes of this Supplemental Title IX Grievance Procedure, occurs when a respondent engages in the following discriminatory conduct on the basis of sex:

1. Quid pro quo harassment. A CWU employee conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of CWU on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct.

2. Hostile environment. Unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would find to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to CWU’s educational programs or activities or CWU employment.

3. Sexual assault. Sexual assault includes the following conduct:

(J)  Nonconsensual sexual intercourse. Any actual or attempted sexual intercourse (anal, oral, or vaginal), however slight, with any object or body part, by a person upon another person, that is without consent and/or by force. Sexual intercourse includes anal or vaginal penetration by a penis, tongue, finger, or object, or oral copulation by mouth to genital contact or genital to mouth contact.

(K) Nonconsensual sexual contact. Any actual or attempted sexual touching, however slight, with any body part or object, by a person upon another person that is without consent and/or by force. Sexual touching includes any bodily contact with the breasts, groin, mouth, or other bodily orifice of another individual, or any other bodily contact in a sexual manner.

(L)  Incest. Sexual intercourse or sexual contact with a person known to be related to them, either legitimately or illegitimately, as an ancestor, descendant, brother, or sister of either wholly or half related. Descendant includes stepchildren and adopted children under the age of eighteen (18).

(M)  Statutory rape. Consensual intercourse between a person who is eighteen (18) years of age or older and a person who is under the age of sixteen (16).

(N) Domestic violence. Physical violence, bodily injury, assault, the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, sexual assault, or stalking committed by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the State of Washington, or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the State of Washington, RCW 26.50.010.

(N) Dating violence. Physical violence, bodily injury, assault, the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, sexual assault, or stalking committed by a person (i) who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and (ii) where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors:

1. The length of the relationship;

2. The type of relationship; and

3. The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.

(M)  Stalking. Engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to (i) fear for their safety or the safety of others; or (ii) suffer substantial emotional distress.

(N) “Title IX Administrators” are the Title IX Coordinator, Title IX investigators, the Student Conduct Officer, the Employee Conduct Officer, members of the Student Conduct Council or Employee Conduct Committee, as applicable, and advisors provided by CWU for the parties during Title IX disciplinary proceedings.

(O) “Title IX Coordinator” is responsible for processing Title IX complaints and conducting or overseeing formal investigations and informal resolution processes under this Supplemental Title IX Grievance Procedure. Among other things, the Title IX Coordinator is responsible for:

1. Accepting and processing all Title IX reports, referrals, and formal complaints.

2. Executing and submitting a formal complaint when appropriate and necessary.

3. Handling requests for confidentiality.

4. Determining during this Supplemental Title IX Grievance Procedure (i) whether a formal complaint should be dismissed either in whole or in part, and if so, (ii) providing notice to both parties about why dismissal was necessary or desirable, and (iii) referring the complaint to the appropriate disciplinary authority for proceedings outside the jurisdiction of Title IX.

5. Maintaining accurate records of all complaints, reports, and referrals, and retaining investigation files, complaints, reports, and referrals in compliance with the applicable records retention schedules or federal or state law, whichever is longer.

6. Conducting investigations or assigning and overseeing investigations.

7. Engaging in an interactive process with both parties to identify and provide supportive measures that ensure during the investigation and disciplinary processes that the parties have equitable access to CWU education programs and activities or CWU employment and are protected from further discrimination or retaliation.

8. Upon completion of an investigation, issuing or overseeing the issuance of a final investigation report to the parties and the appropriate disciplinary authority in compliance with this Supplemental Grievance Procedure.

9. Recommending non-disciplinary corrective measures to stop, remediate, and/or prevent recurrence of discriminatory conduct to disciplinary authorities and other CWU administrators.

(3) Principles for Title IX Grievance Procedure

(A) The respondent shall be presumed not responsible for the alleged conduct unless or until a determination of responsibility is reached after completion of the grievance and disciplinary processes.

(B) Before imposing discipline, CWU is responsible for gathering and presenting evidence to a neutral and unbiased decision maker establishing responsibility for a Title IX violation by a preponderance of the evidence.

(C) CWU shall treat both the complainant and respondent equitably by providing the complainant with remedies against a respondent who has been found responsible for sexual harassment through application of the institution’s Title IX grievance and disciplinary procedures and by providing respondent with Title IX procedural safeguards contained in this Supplemental Title IX Grievance Procedure and in the applicable Title IX disciplinary procedures.

(D) The investigator shall base investigation results on all relevant evidence, including both exculpatory evidence (tending to show innocence) and inculpatory evidence (tending to show guilt).

(E) Formal and informal resolutions will be pursued within reasonably prompt timeframes, normally ninety calendar days, with allowances for temporary delays and extensions for good cause shown. Grounds for temporary delay may include, but are not limited to, scheduled breaks between academic terms. Good cause supporting a request for an extension includes, without limitation: a party, a party’s advisor, or a witness being unavailable, concurrent law enforcement activity, and the need for language assistance or accommodation of disabilities. Both parties will receive written notice of any temporary delay or extension for good cause with an explanation of why the action was necessary.

(F) A student respondent found responsible for engaging in sexual harassment may receive discipline up to and including dismissal from CWU. A description of other possible disciplinary sanctions and conditions that may be imposed against students can be found in WAC 106-125-030.

An employee found responsible for sexual harassment may receive discipline up to and including dismissal from employment. A description of possible disciplinary sanctions and conditions that may be imposed against employees can be found in the applicable CWU employment policies and collective bargaining agreements.

(G) Proceedings against a student respondent shall be conducted before the Student Conduct Council in accordance with the Supplemental Title IX Student Conduct Code Procedures under WAC 106-125-200 through 106-125-245.

Proceedings against an employee respondent shall be conducted before the Employee Conduct Committee in accordance with the Supplemental Title IX Employee Disciplinary Procedures under CWUP 3-45-062.

(H) Title IX Administrators may not require, allow, rely upon, or otherwise use questions or evidence that seeks disclosure of privileged communications, unless the privilege has been effectively waived by the holder. This provision applies, but is not limited to, information subject to the following:

1. Spousal/domestic partner privilege;

2. Attorney-Client and attorney work product privileges;

3. Privileges applicable to members of the clergy and priests;

4. Privileges applicable to medical providers, mental health therapists, and counsellors;

5. Privileges applicable to sexual assault and domestic violence advocates; and

6. Other legal privileges identified in RCW 5.60.060.

(4) Title IX Administrators – Free from bias – Training requirements

(A) Title IX Administrators shall perform their duties free from bias or conflicts.

(B) Title IX Administrators shall undergo training on the following topics:

1. The definition of sexual harassment under these procedures,

2. The scope of CWU’s educational programs and activities,

3. How to conduct an investigation,

4. How to serve impartially without prejudgment of facts, conflicts of interest, or bias,

5. Use of technology employed during an investigation or hearing,

6. The relevance of evidence and questions, and

7. Effective report writing.

(C) All Title IX Administrator training materials shall be available on CWU’s Title IX webpage.

(5) Filing a Complaint. Any employee, student, applicant, or visitor who believes they have been the subject of sexual harassment should report the incident or incidents to CWU’s Title IX Coordinator identified below. If the complaint is against the Title IX Coordinator, the complainant should report the matter to the President’s office for referral to an alternate designee.

Name: Thomas Pedersen

Title: Title IX Coordinator / Human Resources

Office: 509-963-2031 / Thomas.Pedersen2@cwu.edu

(6) Confidentiality

(A) CWU will seek to protect the privacy of the complainant to the fullest extent possible, consistent with the legal obligation to investigate, take appropriate remedial and/or disciplinary action, and comply with federal and state law, as well as applicable CWU policies and procedures. CWU will attempt to honor a complainant’s request for confidentiality, but cannot guarantee complete confidentiality. Determinations regarding how to handle requests for confidentiality will be made by the Title IX Coordinator.

(B) The Title IX Coordinator will inform and attempt to obtain consent from the complainant before commencing an investigation of alleged sexual harassment. If a complainant asks that their name not be revealed to the respondent or that CWU not investigate the allegation, the Title IX Coordinator will inform the complainant that maintaining confidentiality may limit CWU's ability to fully respond to the allegations and that retaliation by the respondent or others is prohibited. If the complainant still insists that their name not be disclosed or that CWU not investigate, the Title IX Coordinator will determine whether CWU can honor the request and at the same time maintain a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for all members of the CWU community, including the complainant. Factors to be weighed may include, but are not limited to:

1. The seriousness of the alleged sexual harassment;

2. The age of the complainant;

3. Whether the sexual harassment was perpetrated with a weapon;

4. Whether the respondent has a history of committing acts of sexual harassment or violence or has been the subject of other sexual harassment or violence complaints or findings;

5. Whether the respondent threatened to commit additional acts of sexual harassment or violence against the complainant or others; and

6. Whether relevant evidence about the alleged incident can be obtained through other means (e.g., security cameras, other witnesses, physical evidence).

(C) If CWU is unable to honor a complainant’s request for confidentiality, the Title IX Coordinator will notify the complainant of the decision and ensure that the complainant’s identity is disclosed only to the extent reasonably necessary to effectively conduct and complete the investigation in compliance with this Supplemental Title IX Grievance Procedure.

(D) If CWU decides not to conduct an investigation or take disciplinary action because of a request for confidentiality, the Title IX Coordinator will evaluate whether other measures are available to address the circumstances giving rise to the complaint and prevent their recurrence, and will implement such measures if reasonably feasible.

(7) Complaint Resolution. The Title IX resolution processes are initiated when the Title IX Coordinator receives a written formal complaint alleging that a respondent sexually harassed a complainant and requesting that CWU initiate an investigation. A formal complaint must be either submitted by the complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator on behalf of the complainant. Formal complaints submitted to the Title IX Coordinator may be resolved through either informal or formal resolution processes. CWU will not proceed with either resolution process without a formal complaint.

For purposes of this Supplemental Title IX Grievance Procedure, the complainant must be participating or attempting to participate in a CWU education program or activity at the time the formal complaint is filed.

(A) Informal Resolution:

1. Under appropriate circumstances and if the impacted and responding parties agree, the parties may voluntarily pursue informal resolution during the investigation of a concern. Informal resolution is not appropriate when the allegations are subject to mandatory reporting obligations under applicable law, or involve an immediate threat to the health, safety or welfare of a member of the CWU community, or in cases where an employee is alleged to have sexually harassed a student.

2. If an informal resolution is appropriate, the impacted party and the responding party may explore remedies or resolution through:

a. Guided conversations or communications conducted by the Title IX Coordinator, other CWU representative, or a mutually agreed upon third party;

b. Structured resolution process conducted by a trained mediator; or

c. Voluntarily agreed on alterations to either or both of the parties’ work or class schedules or student housing arrangements, as applicable.

3. If the parties agree to an informal resolution process, CWU will commence the process within ten calendar days after the parties agree to this option and conclude within thirty days of beginning that process, subject to reasonable delays and extensions for good cause shown. The informal process is voluntary. Either the impacted or responding party may withdraw from the informal resolution process at any time, at which point the formal investigation process will resume.

4. If either party fails to follow the voluntary agreements then the formal investigation process may resume.

5. If the impacted and responding party voluntarily resolve a report, CWU will record the terms of the resolution in a written agreement signed by both parties and provide written notice to both parties that the report has been closed.

(B) Formal Resolution. Formal resolution means that the complainant’s allegations of sexual harassment will be subjected to a formal investigation by an impartial and unbiased investigator. The investigator will issue a report of the investigation findings. Upon completion of the investigation, the investigator will submit the final investigation report to the appropriate disciplinary authority to determine whether disciplinary proceedings are warranted.

(8) Emergency Removal

If a student respondent poses an immediate threat to the health and safety of the campus community or an immediate threat of significant disruption to CWU operations, the Student Conduct Officer may summarily suspend a respondent pursuant to WAC 106-125-100, pending final resolution of the allegations. Nothing in this Supplemental Title IX Grievance Procedure shall prohibit CWU from placing non‑student employees on paid administrative leave pending final resolution of the allegations.

(9) Investigation Notices

Upon receiving a formal complaint and determining that the allegations, if proved, would constitute Title IX sexual harassment, CWU will provide notices to the parties containing the following information:

(A) Notice of formal and informal resolution processes. CWU will provide a description of CWU’s grievance resolution procedures, including the informal resolution procedure.

(B) Notice of investigation. CWU will provide the respondent and the complainant with a notice of investigation in advance of the initial interview with the respondent to inform the complainant that CWU has commenced an investigation and to allow the respondent sufficient time to prepare a response to the allegations. The investigation notice will:

1. Include the identities of the parties (if known), a description of the conduct alleged constituting Title IX sexual harassment, and the time and location of the incident (if known).

2. Confirm that the respondent is presumed not responsible for the alleged conduct and that CWU will not make a final determination of responsibility until after the grievance and disciplinary processes have been completed.

3. Inform the parties that they are both entitled to have an advisor of their own choosing, who may be an attorney.

4. Inform the parties they have a right to review and inspect evidence.

5. Inform the parties about Student Conduct Code provisions and applicable employment policies that prohibit students and employees from knowingly submitting false information during the grievance and disciplinary processes.

(C) Amended investigation notice. If during the course of the investigation, CWU decides to investigate Title IX sexual harassment allegations about the complainant or respondent that are not included in the investigation notice, CWU will issue an amended notice of investigation to both parties that includes this additional information.

(D) Interview and meeting notices. Before interviewing or meeting with a party about Title IX allegations, CWU will provide the party with a written notice stating the date, time, location, participants, and purpose of the interview or meeting, with sufficient time, normally at least 48 hours in advance, for the party to prepare for the interview or meeting.

(10) Investigation Process - Dismissal

(A) Mandatory dismissal. The Title IX Coordinator will dismiss the Title IX allegations, if during the course of a formal investigation under this Supplemental Title IX Grievance Procedure, the investigator determines that the alleged misconduct in the formal complaint:

1. Does not meet the definition of sexual harassment under Title IX, even if proved; or

2. Did not occur in the context of a CWU education program or activity; or

3. Occurred outside the United States.

(B) Discretionary dismissal. CWU may dismiss a Title IX claim in whole or in part, if:

1. The complainant notifies the Title IX Coordinator in writing that they would like to withdraw the formal complaint in whole or in part;

2. The respondent is no longer enrolled with or employed by CWU; or

3. Specific circumstances prevent CWU from gathering evidence sufficient to complete the investigation of the Title IX allegations in whole or in part.

(C) The Title IX Coordinator will provide both parties written notice if Title IX allegations are dismissed with an explanation for the dismissal.

(D) Mandatory or discretionary dismissal of a Title IX claim does not preclude CWU from investigating and pursuing discipline based on allegations that a respondent violated other laws, regulations, or applicable CWU policies governing student and employee conduct.

(11) Investigation Process – Consolidation of Formal Complaints

When multiple sexual harassment allegations by or against different parties arise out of the same facts or circumstances, CWU may consolidate the investigation of formal complaints, provided consolidation can be accomplished in compliance with confidentiality protections imposed by the Family Educational Records and Privacy Act (FERPA). This includes instances in which complainant and respondent have lodged formal complaints against one another or when allegations of sexual assault are lodged by a single complainant against multiple respondents, or when multiple complainants lodge sexual assault complaints against single or multiple respondents.

(12) Investigation Process – Required Procedures. During the investigation, the investigator:

(A) Will provide the parties with an equal opportunity to present relevant statements and other evidence in the form of fact or expert witnesses, including both and inculpatory evidence (tending to show guilt) and exculpatory evidence (tending to show innocence).

(B) Will not restrict the ability of either party to discuss the allegations under investigation or to gather and present relevant evidence, except when a no-contact order has been imposed based on an individualized and fact specific determination that a party poses a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of another party and/or witnesses, or when contact with a party or witness is prohibited by court order. A no-contact order imposed by CWU shall be no broader than is necessary to protect the threatened party or witness and must provide the impacted party or their advisor with alternative means of gathering and presenting relevant evidence from the protected witness or party.

(C) Will allow each party to be accompanied by an advisor of their choosing, who may be an attorney, at any grievance related meeting or interview. The role of advisors during the investigation meetings or interviews will be limited to providing support and advice to the party. Advisors will not represent or otherwise advocate on behalf of the parties during the investigation process. An attorney representing a party must enter a notice of appearance with the Title IX Coordinator and the investigator at least five (5) days before the initial interview or meeting they plan to attend, so that CWU can secure its own legal representation, if necessary.

(D) The investigator will provide both parties and their respective advisors with an equal opportunity to review the draft investigation report and to inspect and review any evidence obtained during the investigation that is directly related to the allegations raised in the formal complaint, including both inculpatory and exculpatory evidence, regardless of its source, as well as evidence upon which the investigator does not intend to rely in the final investigation report. Each party will have ten (10) days in which to submit a written response, which the investigator will consider prior to completion of the investigation report. If a party fails to submit a written response within ten (10) days, the party will be deemed to have waived their right to submit comments and the investigator will finalize the report without this information.

(E) The investigator will forward the final report to the Title IX Coordinator, who will distribute the report and evidence to the parties, as well as the disciplinary authority responsible for determining whether pursuing disciplinary action is warranted.

[Responsibility: Business & Financial Affairs Division; Authority: Cabinet/UPAC; Reviewed/Endorsed by: Cabinet/UPAC; Review/Effective Date: 09/29/2020; Approved by: James L. Gaudino, President]