Discussion and Complaints under Lawrence University’s
Sexual Harassment Policy and
Sexual Assault and Violence Policy
Step One: Informal Discussion
- A confidential discussion is held with a staff or faculty member of the Sexual Harassment and Assault Resource Board, a residence hall director, a Dean or Vice President, or the University Consultant.
- An anonymous contact report is filed with the Associate Dean of the Faculty.
- A complainant may bypass this step and begin with Step 2.
Step Two: Complaint
- A formal complaint is made to a staff or faculty member of the Resource Board, a Dean or Vice President, the University Consultant, any residence hall director or to University Security.
- The written complaint is forwarded to the appropriate “University Authority” who next relays it to the University’s Consultant.
Step Three: Investigation
- The University Consultant investigates the complaint.
- Investigation includes interviews with complainant and respondent, witnesses, physical evidence. Parties’ statements are reviewed with them.
Step Four: Summary Report and Recommendation
- The University Consultant reports on the investigation and makes a recommendation for action to the appropriate University Authority if it appears that policy has been violated.
- In harassment cases, on the recommendation of the Consultant and the approval of the complainant, the respondent, and the University Authority, a case may be resolved informally.
Step Five: University Authority Acts
- The University Authority decides on action.
- If a student is the subject of the complaint, the University Authority is the VP for Campus Activities and Dean of Students.
- Similarly, for a staff member, the Vice President for Business and Operations is the University Authority.
- For a member of the faculty, the University Authority is the Provost & Dean of the Faculty.
Step Six: Appeal to a Hearing Board
- Either the complainant or the respondent may request to appeal the decision of the University Authority to a hearing board.
Step Seven: Final Appeal to the President
- Student and staff member respondents may appeal their sanctions to the President.
- For any sanction short of dismissal, the President is the final source of appeal for faculty respondents.
- In the case of a sanction of dismissal, a faculty respondent may appeal to a board of elected faculty members, as outlined in the Faculty Handbook.
