A Respondent Support Advisor is available to serve as a process advisor for the Respondent, assist in the development of an understanding and navigation of the process, and connect a Respondent with campus and off-campus resources. While the Respondent Support Advisor will honor the privacy considerations of the situation, internal to the University, the information is not confidential; information shared with the Respondent Support Advisor may need to be shared with other campus offices. Confidential offices on campus include the University Counseling Center (for students) and the Employee Assistance Program (for employees). Legal advice may be obtained through an attorney.

Respondent Support Advisors are coordinated through the Disability Support Resources Office. A Respondent Support Advisor is available to:

• Attend meetings including investigative conversations as a support person
• Review documents and materials from investigations, final reports, and sanctioning agreements as requested
• Provide general support
• Provide information and referral to university and community-based resources for additional support needs

The Respondent Support Advisor is not involved in the investigation or sanctioning phases of the process, which are coordinated by the Title IX Office and Student Conduct, respectively.

Examples of Topics to Discuss with a Respondent Support Advisor:

• Clarifications about University policies, procedures, or personnel-related to sexual misconduct cases
• Managing stress during an investigation
• Understanding sanctions and adjusting academic or personal plans

To request an appointment with a Student Respondent Support Advisor, please visit the Disability Support Resources Staff page, complete an online contact form, or call (616) 331-2490.  An advisor will arrange to promptly meet with you.