Division News & Statements
Update on the impact of interim Q&A related to Title IX
October 02, 2017
The Department of Education has recently issued new interim Q&A
for the application of Title IX. Grand Valley administration has
reviewed the guidance and we want to assure you that its impact on our
own policy and procedures is minimal.
In response to the
interim Q&A, the only changes we are currently moving forward with
are crafting a more detailed letter for the respondent, and removing
the specified 60-day time limit for investigations. This flexibility
is now offered in the interim Q&A and will allow for both
continued timeliness of investigations but also the thoroughness that
is required for investigations. The interim Q&A gives universities
the choice to use the evidentiary standard of preponderance of the
evidence or of clear and convincing evidence. While we will continue
to seek feedback from the community, at this time, we will continue to
use the former, maintaining consistency with the standard used in the
adjudication of other student conduct violations. We will continue to
discuss other options provided in the guidance and weigh their
implementation against our overarching goal to create a safe and
welcoming campus for all of our students.
While we await
further guidance by the Department of Education, the Title IX Office
will continue to assure timely, fair, equitable and neutral
investigations, and to protect due process. We will continue to use
best practices and work in collaboration with our campus and community
partners.
As always, we encourage you to contact the Title
IX Office if you have any questions, or to provide community input.
You may also review the University’s current policy and procedures at
gvsu.edu/titleix. More
information about the Department of Education’s interim guidance is
available here.