1. Resolution Services
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Complaints Against Students

Disciplinary Affairs (Campus & Student Life) is the primary point of contact for the investigative / administrative or investigative / hearing body resolution processes. UChicago CARES staff may connect a person interested in filing a complaint under these resolution options with Disciplinary Affairs staff. UChicago CARES Resolution Services is the primary point of contact for alternative resolution.
Quick Exit

File a complaint

Determination of applicable policy

Investigative Resolution Options

Alternative Resolution Options

Resolution Options for Complaints Against Students – Quick Reference Guide

File a complaint

Individuals wishing to file a complaint against a student may do so online, using the Report an Incident form. Individuals must file a formal complaint to begin any resolution options under University Policy.

Determination of applicable policy

For complaints alleging sexual misconduct, including:

  • Sexual harassment
  • Sexual assault
  • Sexual abuse
  • Dating violence
  • Domestic violence
  • Stalking

The Title IX Coordinator or their designee will review the formal complaint and determine whether the allegations if substantiated would constitute a violation of the Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy. If the allegations would not constitute a violation of the Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy if substantiated the Title IX Coordinator or their designee will dismiss them under the Policy on Title IX Sexual Harassment.

If appropriate, the Title IX Coordinator or designee will refer them for resolution under the University’s Policy on Harassment, Discrimination, and Sexual Misconduct and related resolution options or to another office or applicable policy for review.

For more information, see the Policy on Title IX Sexual Harassment, Section XIV, Filing a Formal Complaint.

Investigative Resolution Options

Investigation and Administrative Resolution

The Office of Disciplinary Affairs conducts an investigation and the matter is resolved by a staff member in the Office of Disciplinary Affairs. This resolution option is for complaints under the University’s Policy on Harassment, Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct.

Investigation
The Associate Dean of Students in the University for Disciplinary Affairs or their designee will lead an investigation by conducting an inquiry into the facts, including but not limited to:

  • Interviews with the complainant and respondent
  • Interviews with pertinent other people
  • Reviewing relevant documents or other information

Both parties will have the ability to present information and suggest witnesses related to the allegation of misconduct.

Resolution
The Associate Dean or their designee will use the preponderance of the evidence standard to conclude if the respondent violated the University’s Policy on Harassment, Discrimination, or Sexual Misconduct.
Sanctions
The Associate Dean or their designee concludes the respondent violated the University’s Policy, the Associate Dean will issue an appropriate decision and sanction, including but not limited to:

  • An official warning
  • Disciplinary probation
  • Suspension of specific student rights and privileges for a designated period of time

The Associate Dean cannot issue a disciplinary sanction of suspension, expulsion, or revocation of a degree through the administrative process.

A copy of the written outcome and notice that the respondent has violated University policy or regulations will be placed in the respondent’s educational record. In instances where the alleged behavior included sexual misconduct, the complainant and respondent will receive written notification of the outcome.

Investigative and University-Wide Disciplinary Committee Resolution

This resolution option is for complaints under the University’s Policy on Harassment, Discrimination, and Sexual Misconduct. If the Associate Provost for Equal Opportunity Programs agrees that a disciplinary committee should be convened, the Associate Dean of Students in the University for Disciplinary Affairs or their designee will proceed with an investigation.

Investigation
The Associate Dean of Students in the University for Disciplinary Affairs or their designee will lead an investigation by conducting an inquiry into the facts, including but not limited to:

  • Interviews with the complainant and respondent
  • Interviews with pertinent other people
  • Reviewing relevant documents or other information

Both parties will have the ability to offer evidence and suggest witnesses related to the allegation of misconduct, subject to limitations set forth in the Policy.

The Associate Dean will complete an investigation report, and provide it to the complainant and respondent. The parties will have 5 business days to submit an optional written response statement. These statements will be added to the final investigation report that is provided to the University-wide Disciplinary Committee.

Resolution
The University-wide Disciplinary Committee will make a determination as to whether the University’s Policy on Harassment, Discrimination or Sexual Misconduct was violated. The Committee’s decisions are made by majority vote applying a preponderance of the evidence standard.

  • The Parties will be notified via e-mail of the date, time and location of the disciplinary hearing no later than 10 business days prior to the hearing.
  • The Associate Dean or their designee will hold separate pre-hearing meetings with the complainant and respondent to go over the hearing format and to address any procedure-related questions or concerns.
  • The final investigation report and all relevant materials will be provided to the Disciplinary Committee and the Parties in advance of the hearing.
  • Both Parties will be asked to appear at the hearing; and pertinent witnesses may also be asked to appear.
Sanctions
If the University-wide Disciplinary Committee determines that the respondent violated the Policy, it will issue sanctions, including, but not limited to:

  • An official warning
  • Disciplinary probation
  • Suspension of specific student rights and privileges for a designated period of time
  • Disciplinary suspension
  • Disciplinary expulsion
  • Revocation of degree awarded
Notification of Outcome and Requests for Review
The complainant and respondent will receive simultaneous formal and written notification of the outcome, including information regarding requesting review, within 5 business days of the hearing.

Investigation and Title IX Hearing Panel

This resolution option is for complaints under the University’s Policy on Title IX Sexual Harassment.

Investigation
Following the receipt of a formal Title IX complaint, the Title IX Coordinator or their designee will send both parties a Determination of Applicable Policy, which will include a summary of the allegations.

Both parties will have the ability to offer evidence and suggest witnesses related to the allegation of misconduct, subject to limitations set forth in the Policy. Before an investigation report is completed the Title IX Investigator(s) will provide each party and their advisor of choice any evidence obtained as part of the investigation that is directly related to the formal complaint. The parties will have at least 10 business days to inspect and review the provided information, and submit a written response (this will be included in the investigation report)

No less than 10 days prior to a hearing the final investigation report will be made available to each party and their advisor and each party will be given the opportunity to provide a written response addressed to the Title IX Hearing Panel. This response is optional and will be added to the hearing materials.

Resolution
The Title IX Hearing Panel will make a determination as to whether the University’s Policy on Title IX Harassment was violated. The Title IX Hearing Panel’s decisions are made by majority vote applying a preponderance of the evidence standard. Within 10 business days of the conclusion of the hearing, the Panel will provide both parties simultaneously a written decision.
Sanctions
If the Title IX Hearing Panel determines that the respondent violated the Policy, it will issue sanctions, including, but not limited to:

  • An official warning
  • Disciplinary probation
  • Suspension of specific student rights and privileges for a designated period of time
  • Disciplinary suspension
  • Disciplinary expulsion
  • Revocation of degree awarded

To learn more about investigative options available to students visit the Policy on Harassment, Discrimination, and Sexual Misconduct and Student Manual, The University-wide Disciplinary System.

Alternative Resolution Options

UChicago CARES Resolution Services provides alternatives to investigative resolution processes. Alternative resolutions must be voluntary by all parties and are binding. An alternative resolution process will be considered at the request of the Complainant. Resolution Services will evaluate each request for an alternative resolution on a case-by-case basis.

Types of Alternative Resolutions

  1. Facilitated Conversation: a facilitated conversation between parties where facilitator helps parties engage in open dialogue regarding issues of concern. The facilitator assists parties in perspective sharing and gaining understanding and potentially resolving the conflict. Facilitated conversations can result in a mutually acceptable or agreed-upon resolution to a complaint.
  2. Shuttle Diplomacy: a facilitated conversation between parties where the facilitator serves as an intermediary between the parties. The facilitator meets with each party independently in an attempt to come to a mutually acceptable or agreed-upon resolution to a complaint. Direct interaction between the parties is not required.

Agreements reached as part of an alternative resolution are final and are not subject to requests for review. Parties are not bound to the alternative resolution process. The alternative resolution process can be ended by any party or the facilitator if the parties are unable to agree upon a proposed resolution. If at any time the Title IX Coordinator or Facilitator determines prior to the signing of an agreement that Alternative Resolution is longer appropriate the process may be terminated and referred back to Investigative Resolution or Resolution by a Hearing body.

Alternative Resolution Process

More information regarding the Alternative Resolution process coming Fall 2022.

To learn more about alternative resolution visit the Student Manual, Alternative Resolution.

 

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