Formal Reporting Options: Decision Tree

These reports are NOT reported to other University officials in any personally identifiable manner. If you want a university response, ask the resource to connect you with the Title IX Coordinator. 

On-Campus

The Advocates 315-229-5466

University Chaplain

Shaun Whitehead

315-229-5062

Health and Counseling Center

315-229-5392

Director of Wellness Education

Laura Lavoie

315-229-5757

International Student Services Staff

Tsewang Lama, Director of International Student Services

315-229-5552

Megan Putney, Assistant Director of International Student Services

315-229-5141

Off-Campus

Canton-Potsdam Hospital 

315-265-3300

Renewal House 

3 Chapel Street 

M-F 8:00am-5:00pm 

315-379-9845

Renewal House also has an advocate on-campus Fridays 8am-4pm in Bewkes 315. An email for that advocate is: renewalhouse_campus@verizon.net

Supportive measures are ways the university can help  restore or preserve, to the extent practicable, equal access to the University’s educational programs and activities and protect the safety of all parties without unreasonably burdening the other party or parties

Supportive measures may include, as appropriate, but are not limited to:

- Changes in academics such as the extension of deadlines or other course-related adjustments

- Changes to housing, transportation and campus working situations if those changes are requested by a party and reasonably available

- Class schedule modifications, withdrawals, or leaves of absence

- Changes in class registration process

- Education to the institutional community or community subgroup(s)

- Allowing withdrawal from or retaking of classes without penalty

- Prohibiting attendance at group or organizational functions overseen by the University

- Mutual “No Contact” orders and, in limited circumstances, one-way no contact orders.

- Access to safe walks and campus escorts or other reasonable security or monitoring measures

- Facilitated access to counseling services

- Facilitated access to the Employee Assistance Program

- Interim removal of a student from the University, which will only be taken pursuant to the Emergency Removal provisions above.

Informal resolutions provide both parties with an opportunity to understand each other’s concerns and address them as collaboratively and usefully for the parties as possible. An informal resolution can occur when a formal complaint is filed and both parties agree, in writing, to move forward. A conclusion is only reached when both parties agree, and after a written resolution is finalized both parties must sign the document.

The University makes a good faith effort to conclude an Informal Resolution in 5-30 days.

*Note* A Formal complaint is necessary to initiate the University’s Informal Resolution or Formal Investigation and Adjudication process. A Formal complaint must be submitted in writing and request that the University investigate the allegation(s).* 

When a formal investigation is chosen, the Title IX Coordinator will promptly provide a written Notice of Investigation and Allegation to both parties. The University presumes the Respondent is not responsible until there is a finding of Responsibility at the conclusion of the Formal Investigation and Adjudication.  

Formal Investigations include interviews of parties and witnesses, opportunity to review all evidence and transcripts gathered, opportunity to respond to evidence, and conclude with a hearing (Title IX) or conference (non-Title IX) before a determination is made.

Hearing- A Hearing is typically 6-20 hours over many days, and is used for Title IX Formal Complaints. Hearings are held virtually. The parties are only permitted to bring their advisor to the virtual hearing. Either party may request an in-person hearing. In order for such a request to be granted, both parties, the Review Board, and the Title IX Coordinator must agree. If there is no such agreement then the hearing will be held virtually, as described in this paragraph. 

Generally, the hearing will proceed in the following order: 

1. Opportunity for Opening Statement by the Complainant 

2. Opportunity for Opening Statement by the Respondent 

3. Questions for the Complainant by the RB, and, if desired, on behalf of the Respondent’s advisor, followed by an opportunity for a clarifying statement 

4. Questions for the Respondent by the RB, and, if desired, on behalf of the Complainant’s advisor, followed by an opportunity for a clarifying statement 

5. Questions for each witness by the RB, and, if desired, on behalf of the Complainant and Respondent 

6. Opportunity for Closing Statement by Complainant 

7. Opportunity for Closing Statement by Respondent 

*Anyone reporting sexual misconduct, including an incident of sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic or dating violence, or stalking has the right to withdraw a formal complaint or involvement from the university process at any time, with the understanding that in certain cases the university may be required to proceed even if the reporting individual does not wish to do so.  

Matters that fall under the University's Combined Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Procedures, but are not Title IX matters, will follow a University Formal Investigation and Adjudication process. Examples of matters that fall in this category include: sexual misconduct that falls outside Title IX jurisdiction, sexual exploitation, and discrimination or harassment related to one of the following protected characteristics:

race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status,  criminal conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal law or regulation,

Conference- Only certain situations are available for conferences, anything that falls under federal Title IX law will undergo a Hearing. However, formal complaints that fall under the university's combined discrimination and harassment policy may be considered for a conference. There are no opening and closing statements, no direct cross-examination, and the review board asks all questions.

Conferences include the following:

1. Initial Relevance Determinations, as determined at the pre-conference, are put on the Record 

2. Questions for the Complainant by the Adjudicators, including advisor submitted questions, if any 

3. Opportunity for Respondent’s advisor to send Adjudicators follow-up questions, if desired. 

4. Follow-up questions posed to the Complainant by the Adjudicators, where relevant and not otherwise impermissible, if any 

5. Questions for the Respondent by the Adjudicators, including advisor submitted questions, if any 

6. Opportunity for Complainant’s advisor to send Adjudicators follow-up questions, if desired. 

7. Follow-up questions posed to the Respondent by the Adjudicators, where relevant and not otherwise impermissible, if any 

8. Questions for each witness by the Adjudicators, including advisor submitted questions, if any 

9. Opportunity for both advisors to send Adjudicators follow-up questions, if desired. 

10. Follow-up questions posed to the witness by the Adjudicators, where relevant and not otherwise impermissible, if any. 

The University protects individuals' privacy in reports or complaints while distinguishing between privacy and confidentiality. Privacy means information is shared only with those who need to know for assignment, investigation, or resolution. Confidentiality applies to certain professionals (medical providers, metal health counselors, clergy) who cannot disclose information without permission, except in specific legal or safety situations. While the University prioritizes pricey, it may contact parents/guardians in case of significant health or safety risks, usually after consulting the student.