Let's try this one more time. The EOAA does NOT have the power to suspend students. It only has the power to investigate allegations of sexual assault and harassment to determine whether or not the student code of conduct has been violated. If the EOAA makes a determination the code of conduct was violated the U's administration initiates the formal student code of conduct hearing process with the accused student. During the hearing the student can be represented by an attorney. No final determination is made until the hearing is completed and the student has the opportunity to appeal the case. In cases of sexual assault and harassment the administration has the authority to suspend the accused student pending the final outcome of the case.
EOAA Process
The Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EOAA) and the Office for Student Conduct and Academic Integrity (OSCAI) are responsible for addressing student conduct that may violate Title IX. EOAA’s Director, Kimberly Hewitt, is the University’s Title IX Coordinator.
The University’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EOAA) thoroughly investigates, as a neutral party, reports of sexual harassment and sexual violence, including sexual assault, stalking, and relationship violence.
Typical steps in a formal investigation include:
- talking with the person raising the concerns and/or other affected persons;
- talking with individuals with information relevant to the situation;
- informing responsible administrators about the concerns and investigation;
- talking with the accused person; and
- collecting and reviewing documents or other forms of information from the person raising the concerns, witnesses, Human Resources, administrators, or other individuals with relevant information.
At the conclusion of a formal investigation, EOAA will prepare a summary and analysis of the investigation and make a conclusion as to whether the Student Conduct Code and University policies against sexual harassment and sexual violence have been violated. EOAA will forward the report to OSCAI. Both the reporting student and the accused student may request a copy of the EOAA report from OSCAI.
As part of the University’s informal resolution process, OSCAI will inform both the reporting party and the accused student about: (1) the outcome of the EOAA investigation; and (2) a proposed resolution. If both parties agree to the outcome and proposed resolution, the University’s investigative process generally is concluded.
If the reporting party or the accused student disagrees with EOAA’s investigative outcome and OSCAI’s proposed resolution they may initiate the University’s formal resolution process. In this formal process, the parties are afforded a hearing before a panel drawn from the Campus Committee on Student Behavior.
Read more at:
https://diversity.umn.edu/eoaa/process
