Complainants and respondents each have the right to have a support person present with them at all stages of the process: including, but not limited to, reporting, investigative meetings, and the hearing. A support person may be utilized by a student in a number of different ways, including support, guidance, advice, etc.
Complainants and respondents each will have the opportunity to identify up to two (2) support person(s) at least two (2) business days prior to the start of an investigation. Support person(s) are chosen individually by the respondent and complainant.
Only one support person may be present at any given time, the second support person also may be utilized when the first is not available. The second support person may also be used in the event that the complainant or respondent no longer wishes to utilize the first.
The Director of Rights and Responsibilities or their designee reserves the right to dismiss or remove a support person who does not adhere to the guidelines below, or who disrupts or attempts to disrupt the process in any way. The second support person may be utilized in the event that the first has been dismissed by the Director of Rights and Responsibilities or their designee.
Support person(s) must adhere to the following:
- Support person(s) may not advocate for, represent, or speak on behalf of a complainant or respondent.
- Support person(s) may not address any other person throughout the process, including, but not limited to, interviews and hearings, other than the student whom they support.
- Support person(s) may not provide any information or documentation, or serve as witness(s) in any part of the process.
- The complainant/respondent must initiate authorization with the Office of Rights and Responsibilities for a support person’s ability to review the case file.
- All communication will be between the Director of Rights and Responsibilities or their designee and the complainant/respondent. A student may request a support person to be copied on correspondence, however, it will be the student’s responsibility to communicate with university staff members directly.