This page contains answers to common questions related to Title IX.
General FAQ
What is Title IX?
Title IX is a federal statute that prohibits, among other things, sexual harassment in education. The Office of Title IX encompasses both Title IX and Non-Title IX nonconsensual, sexual misconduct:
Quid pro quo sexual harassment
Sexual assault/sexual violence
Dating violence
Domestic violence
Stalking
Hostile Environment Sexual Harassment (Examples: unwelcome touching, sexual jokes, leering, sexual comments, sexually staring at a person’s body)
Who does this policy apply to?
Moody’s Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence Response and Title IX Policy applies to all students, student organizations, Moody employees and contractors, and anyone who participates in Moody programs or activities (including third-party visitors) within Moody’s educational programs and activities.
Who are confidential resources?
Chicago: Counseling Services, Health Services, Moody Ombudsman (Chicago)—Lud Anderson
Spokane: Kimberly Choo
Michigan: Dr. John Restum
*Confidential Resources ARE NOT designated reporters. They do not have an obligation to report to the Title IX Office
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TITLE IX PROHIBITED CONDUCT AND NON-TITLE IX PROHIBITED CONDUCT?
Title IX Prohibited Conduct
Any Prohibited Conduct under Section VI.1 of Moody’s Title IX policy (see pages 7-9). Includes hostile environment sexual harassment that must be severe, pervasive, AND objectively offensive.
Non-Title IX Prohibited Conduct
Any Prohibited Conduct under Section VI.2 of Moody’s Title IX policy (see pages 9-12). Includes hostile environment sexual harassment that must be severe, persistent, OR pervasive.
What is retalliation?
Retaliation may include intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination against anyone involved in Moody’s Title IX process.
Retaliation may be committed by the Respondent, Complainant or any other individual or group of individuals.
*If you feel a crime has been committed, please contact local law enforcement or 911
Reporting
DO STUDENTS HAVE TO REPORT TO THE TITLE IX OFFICE?
Students are not designated reporters. They do not have an obligation to report.
What about student workers?
If someone shares something with you that is Title IX related in your role as a friend, you do not have to report.
If someone shares something with you that is Title IX related in your role as a on-duty student worker, you have to report.
Can I Report Anonymously?
But this will limit Moody’s ability to take appropriate action.
Designated Reporters cannot report anonymously unless they are the one who experienced the Prohibited Conduct.
WHAT IS A COMPLAINANT?
The person alleged to have experienced Prohibited Conduct.
WHAT IS A RESPONDENT?
The person alleged to engage in Prohibited Conduct.
IF I EXPERIENCE SEXUAL VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL HARASSMENT, WHO CAN I SPEAK TO?
You can speak to anyone in the Title IX Office, a staff member, faculty, public safety, HA, RA, Confidential Resource, Confidential Advisor, etc.
SOMETHING HAPPENED TO ME, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WILL BE CONFIDENTIAL.
You can speak to Confidential Resources—but they are NOT designated reporters to the Title IX Office.
Chicago: Health Services, Counseling Services, Moody’s Ombudsman (Ludwig Anderson)
Spokane: Kimberly Choo
Plymouth: Dr. John Restum
SOMETHING HAPPENED THAT IS TITLE IX PROHIBITED CONDUCT OR NON-TITLE IX PROHIBITED CONDUCT, BUT I ALSO ENGAGED VOLUNTARILY IN DRUG/ALCOHOL USE OR CONSENSUAL SEXUAL ACTIVITY. WILL I GET KICKED OUT OF MOODY IF I REPORT THE INCIDENT?
Section VIII.4 is Moody’s Amnesty provision and says that any reporting party will not be subjected to discipline under other Moody conduct policies if the conduct arises out of the same facts/circumstances as a report of Prohibited Conduct unless Moody determines that the conduct placed the health or safety of any other person at risk.
I WITNESSED A POTENTIAL TITLE IX MATTER, BUT IT DID NOT HAPPEN TO ME. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Everyone in the Moody community is encouraged to care for one another as followers of Christ. If you see something amiss, you have the option of reporting it to the Title IX Office. We will contact the person who may have experienced the unwanted conduct to ensure their safety, provide support, and tell them about resources and options moving forward.
I DON’T KNOW IF THIS IS ANYTHING AND I DON’T WANT TO PURSUE ANYTHING, BUT THIS PERSON IS MAKING ME UNCOMFORTABLE.
We encourage reporting to be made to the Title IX office. At the very least, we can document the incident.
Initial "Supportive Measures Meeting" with the Title IX Office
HOW DID THE TITLE IX OFFICE GET MY REPORT IF I DID NOT SPEAK TO THEM?
The Title IX Office works in partnership with other departments and individuals on campus. If a department or individual received a report, they can refer that report to the Title IX Office if it meets a Title IX related concern.
THE TITLE IX OFFICE EMAILED ME REQUESTING TO MEET, BUT I DO NOT WANT TO.
The Title IX process is voluntary. If you do not wish to meet with the Title IX Office, you do not have to.
IF I MEET WITH THE TITLE IX OFFICE, WILL THERE BE AN INVESTIGATION?
The supportive measures meeting is NOT an investigation. It is a meeting to collect more details of the reported incident and offer supportive measures.
If the conduct in the report meets Title IX jurisdiction, the Complainant can request to file a Formal Complaint.
WHAT ARE SUPPORTIVE MEASURES?
Supportive Measures are interim measures designed to ensure equal access to Moody’s educational programs and activities and can be requested at any time.
Includes but not limited to:
Referral to counseling, medical or other healthcare services
Referral to community-based providers
Student financial aid counseling
Altering campus housing assignments
Work schedule arrangements for employees/students
Campus safety escorting
Academic support
Class schedule modifications, leaves of absence, withdrawal
No Contact Order
Please note: supportive measures cannot be punitive to the other party.
CAN I RECEIVE SUPPORTIVE MEASURES WITHOUT FILING A FORMAL COMPLAINT?
Yes.
Filing a Formal Complaint/Investigative Process
WHAT IS A FORMAL COMPLAINT?
A document signed by the Complainant or the Title IX Coordinator alleging a violation of Moody’s Title IX policy and requesting Moody initiate an Informal or Formal Resolution of the Formal Complaint.
Can be filed in person, online or by email.
Disclaimer: Moody’s Title IX Coordinator can still file a Formal Complaint, even if the Complainant does not agree to one, if the alleged conduct is severe or presents immediate harm to anyone..
WILL THE OTHER PARTY KNOW I FILED THE FORMAL COMPLAINT?
Yes. The other party will receive a Notice of Allegations, notifying them a formal complaint has been filed.
WILL THE RESPONDENT COME UP TO ME AFTER HE RECEIVES THE FORMAL COMPLAINT?
Moody has an anti-retaliation policy. The Title IX Coordinator will meet with the Respondent prior to sending out a Notice of Allegations, and in that meeting clear expectations will be set.
IF I FILE A COMPLAINT, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE RESPONDENT?
The case will be investigated by Moody and the Respondent will have an opportunity to view, submit, and respond to the evidence. A neutral, impartial decision maker will determine if the Respondent violated Moody’s Title IX Policy.
I FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT, BUT NO LONGER WANT TO CONTINUE WITH THE INVESTIGATION OR CONTINUE WITH THE LIVE HEARING.
All of Moody’s Title IX process is voluntary.
The case will be evaluated for dismissal.
IF I EXPERIENCE SEXUAL VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL HARASSMENT, BUT THE RESPONDENT IS NOT A PART OF MOODY’S COMMUNITY OR THEY WERE AT SOME POINT BUT ARE NO LONGER, SHOULD I STILL FILE A COMPLAINT?
Supportive measures can still be offered, and a Formal Complaint can still be filled. BUT if that person is not a part of Moody’s community, there may not be disciplinary sanctions Moody can apply to the Respondent.
WHAT DO ADVISORS DO?
Advisors provide support during any time of the investigation.
If someone does not have an Advisor of their choosing, Moody can provide someone.
Advisors can be any person (friend, professor, staff, or non-Moody member).
HOW LONG DOES AN INVESTIGATION TAKE?
Informal Resolutions: 30–60 calendar days
Formal Resolutions: 90–120 calendar days
I REPORTED SOMETHING TO THE TITLE IX OFFICE OR I AM INVOLVED IN A TITLE IX INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS, BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM.
The Title IX Office will try to maintain the privacy of individuals involved.
If a person is a Complainant and is NOT involved in a Formal Investigation, there may not be necessary follow up with that person regarding the disciplinary actions taken of the other party.
The Title IX Office will not disclose case outcomes with witnesses of a Title IX investigation (only parties involved).
If parties (Complainants/Respondents) are involved in an investigation and they have not had follow up from the Title IX Office, they are welcome to request an update.
Outcomes
THREE OPTIONS FOR REPORT RESOLUTION:
Resolutions that involve NO investigative process:
Support-based resolution: The supportive measures offered/accepted are enough to solve the matter, which are normally resolved the day of the report.
Informal Resolution: An informal resolution allows for a mediated agreement between the two parties facilitated by the Title IX Coordinator. A Formal Complaint will still have to be filed in order for an informal resolution to take place. This usually takes 30 to 60 days.
Resolution that involves an investigative process:
Formal Resolution of a Formal Complaint. A Complainant must file a Formal Complaint against the Respondent. There will be an impartial, neutral investigation. After both parties and necessary witnesses are interviewed and evidence collected, a Decision Maker is assigned to the case to make a determination. This process usually takes 90 to 120 days.
More on Informal Vs Formal Resolutions
Informal: must take place after the filing of Formal Complaint but before a Live Hearing.
Resolved through Negotiated Agreement
Respondent must accept responsibility for the alleged Prohibited Conduct.
Parties can negotiate through the Title IX Coordinator on appropriate sanctions.
Parties are encouraged to submit mitigation/impact statements.
The Title IX Coordinator may propose other terms for the resolution.
Formal: includes the investigation and a hearing.
Responsibility and disciplinary sanctions are determined by a decision-maker.