Members of the Sexual Assault Task Force discussed Monday who handles a report of assault after a Title IX investigation into the incident has occurred.
The task force has been working to rewrite University policy on sexual assault since this summer, and Interim Title IX Coordinator Christi Hurt said members are still exploring who should handle a report of sexual assault after it has been investigated.
“We are leaning towards an internal investigator who would make the finding of responsibility and then give that to the adjudication process and the adjudication body would then verify the facts,” she said.
Currently, the investigator will send its findings to the Title IX coordinator, who will check for throughness and then the reporting and responding students will receive a copy within 10 days.
Members of the meeting discussed whether a single person — the Title IX investigator — should handle both the investigation and hearing process.
“The question is: ‘Does this set up a prejudicial influence in the investigative hearing panel because the investigator has already determined a finding?’,” said George Hare, deputy chief of the Department of Public Safety.
Student Body President Christy Lambden said there could be a system with two investigators — one to do the charging and the other to determine responsibility.
“I’m uncomfortable with the idea of the same person doing the charging and the finding of responsibility,” he said.
Other ideas, such as a formal panel that would judge the evidence, were discussed.
