Governing Procedures for the ad hoc Committee for Harassment

The Associate Dean of the Faculty (or substitute) will serve as chair of the ad hoc Committee and will oversee its work. The ad hoc Committee will conduct its own investigation, which may include gathering additional documents and interviewing both the Complainant and the Respondent and also other witnesses. Following its investigation, the ad hoc Committee may choose to hold a formal hearing, usually within a period of fifteen days from its receipt of the case. Both Complainant and Respondent may be present at the formal hearing, unless they explicitly waive that right or choose to submit only a written statement. The hearing affords both parties an opportunity to offer evidence, to answer questions from the ad hoc Committee, and to confront adverse witnesses. Both Complainant and Respondent may have someone who works at or attends the College present at the hearing in an advisory role. The presence of legal counsel at the formal hearing is not permitted. The ad hoc Committee will make a record of the formal hearing, but not of its deliberations. The Committee will inform the Dean of Students of its Recommendation.

4.a. As expeditiously as possible, usually within fifteen days from the date of receipt of the Findings, the Appropriate College Official shall review the Findings and conduct additional investigations, as needed, to make a final determination as to what action, if any, is necessary (the "Determination"). Either party may appeal the Determination within the time period and in the method described below.

b. In a case where paragraph 3b of this section applies, if the final Determination of the Dean of the Faculty (i.e., the determination rendered after the Dean has received the recommendation of the Hearing Committee described in "step three" above) would require severe sanction or dismissal of the Respondent, and if either the Respondent or the Complainant appeals the Determination, then the Dean's Determination and any appeals of the Respondent or the Complainant shall be communicated in writing to the Hearing Committee described in paragraph 3b above, and such committee shall, usually within a period of five days, advise the Dean, in writing, whether they concur with the Determination. A copy of such written communication from the Hearing Committee to the Dean, together with the Dean's written comment, if any, will be forwarded by the Dean to the President of the College to be associated with the written appeal and reviewed by the President as a part of the appeal.

c. In a case where paragraph 3c of this section applies, if the final Determination of the Dean of Students would require severe sanction or suspension or expulsion of the Respondent, and if either the Respondent or the Complainant appeals the Determination, then the Determination of the Dean of Students, the recommendation of the ad hoc Committee, and any appeals of the Respondent or the Complainant shall be communicated in writing to the President of the College for review.

(The provisions in this Grievance Procedure for notifying all parties of findings and determinations will be followed so long as the College determines that there are no violations of state or federal privacy laws, including, but not limited to, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.)

5. If no appeal is filed within the designated time period (defined in Section 1 of "Procedures for Appeal"), the Determination will be final. The Director will then work with other College officials to enforce the Determination. Regardless of whether an appeal is filed, no party will have a right to pursue any other College grievance procedures relevant to this complaint.