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Equal Opportunity, Access & Title IX Coordination Sub MenuDismiss

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About the EOA Office

Equal Opportunity, Access & Title IX Coordination About the EOA Office
Mission Meet the Staff FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Something has happened that I want to report. How do I make a report?

If you want to report an incident, you can contact Equal Opportunity, Access and Title IX Coordination. You can reach the office at 618-650-2333, eoa-titleix@siue.edu, or come by our office in Rendleman Hall  room 3316. You can also start a conversation by talking with a trusted faculty or staff member, including your resident advisor, or any member of the SIUE Police Department. Most of SIUE’s faculty and staff (with the exception of University counselors) are required to report possible violations of the non-discrimination policy to the Title IX coordinator. Once the Title IX coordinator is aware of the situation, they will follow up with you to talk about next steps.

You may also report an incident by filling out a Sexual Assault, Sexual Misconduct and Relationship Violence Incident Report.

Can I make a report and still remain anonymous?

Yes; you do not have to identify yourself in order to report a possible violation. It’s important to keep in mind that if you choose to remain anonymous, it may sometimes be harder for the University to fully respond to the incident and address your individual needs.

I need help, but I am not sure if I want to make a report. What can I do?

If you are not sure about making a report, but want to talk to someone about what happened, a good place to start is University Counseling Services. You can make an appointment by calling 618-650-2842 or eoa-titleix@siue.edu,

You can also contact Metro East Every Survivor Counts, which is a free community resource that helps people affected by sexual violence. Metro East Every Survivor Counts can connect you with a confidential advisor who can help you understand your options and provide you with support. Your confidential advisor will not report what happened to the University, unless you give them permission to do so. You can reach Call For Help by calling 618-397-0975 or eoa-titleix@siue.edu.

What happens once I make a report?

Your Title IX coordinator will follow up with you as soon as possible to talk about next steps. The first priority will be to make sure you and the rest of the SIUE community are safe from any ongoing threats and you have the resources you need to take good care of yourself. This may involve developing a plan for immediate steps that can be taken to limit contact between the people who are most affected by the situation.
Next, there will be a discussion about your options for proceeding under the sexual assault, sexual misconduct and relationship violence policy and procedures. The goal will be to make sure you understand your choices and give you the opportunity to talk about what you think would be the best way to move forward.

I’ve made a report, but I don’t want an investigation. Can the University investigate an incident without my permission and/or cooperation?

In some cases, the University may be required to undertake some investigation of an incident, even if the complainant does not want to go forward with an investigation. These are situations in which there are more serious or imminent threats to the campus community.

I’ve received notice of charges being made against me. What’s going to happen next?

If you receive notice of charges against you, take some time to read all of the information included with the notice. The charges should give you specific information about the basis of the charges against you. If you have any information (documents, pictures, etc.), begin organizing that information.
You’ll be asked to meet with the assigned investigator for your case. This will be your opportunity to talk about the charges and identify the information and witnesses you think are important.

If I’m charged with policy violation, can I be suspended before the investigation is even completed?
Where there is sufficient information that there is an ongoing, serious threat to the campus community, an interim suspension may be imposed before an investigation has been completed.
If I’m involved in an investigation, can I have a lawyer?
Yes, a party to an investigation may have an advocate and that advocate may be an attorney. The advocate can help you understand what to expect in the investigative process and provide you with emotional support. However, the advocate will not be allowed to speak for you or obstruct the process.
If there is a criminal case involving the same incident, what will the impact of the criminal case be on the campus investigation?
When there is a criminal case relating to the same incident as the campus investigative process, the campus investigation will typically proceed faster than the criminal process. While the criminal case and the campus investigation may be addressing the same incident, the standard of proof is different and the analysis of the incident may also be different. The outcome of any criminal case will not determine the outcome of the campus investigation.
What happens during an investigation?
During an investigation, the investigator will attempt to identify all of the information that is available related to the charges. This information may take the form of interviews, documents, photos, social media exchanges and videos. The kind of information that is important will be determined by the particular circumstances of the case.
If you have made a complaint or a complaint has been made against you, you will have an opportunity to review all of the information collected during the course of the investigation and offer additional, clarifying information before the investigation is completed.
The investigator will prepare a report summarizing all of the information gathered in the investigation. This report will analyze all of the information and make a preliminary determination about whether or not there has been a violation of the sexual assault, sexual misconduct and relationship violence policy.
How long will an investigation take?
Typically, an investigation will take approximately 45 days. If the investigation will take longer than 45 days, you will be informed of how much additional time is expected and why the additional time is necessary.
Do I have the right to confront my accuser?
The parties to a complaint may ask questions of each other; however, those questions will be moderated through the investigator during the investigation and through the panel upon appeal. If you have questions you want to ask of another party or of a witness, you can provide those questions to the investigator or panel chairperson.
If found responsible, how are sanctions decided?
Sanctions will be determined based on multiple factors, including any past disciplinary history, the nature and severity of the charges, and the options for remediating the harm that has been done.
Can I appeal?
Yes. If you think there was a mistake in any part of the process that affected the outcome or  you become aware of additional information that was not previously considered or you feel the sanctions imposed were not reasonable, you may appeal. Either party to a case may appeal. It’s important to keep in mind that parties will have a limited time in which to request an appeal; details will be included in the information you receive which explains the outcome of the case.
What happens during an appeal?
A panel of three faculty and staff members will be appointed to conduct a hearing of your case. At the hearing, you will have an opportunity to present the information  you would like to have considered in the case. The panel will ask questions of the parties and the parties can provide questions they would like to have asked of each other and of witnesses in the case. The parties may have an advocate with them during the hearing.
Are there any options besides a formal investigation?
Yes. In cases not involving sexual assault, a conflict resolution approach is an option. With a conflict resolution approach, the goal will be to have supported, facilitated conversations between the parties in the hope of achieving some understanding and a plan for how to interact going forward.
Can I get any help in managing the stress that comes with being either a complainant or a respondent in a case?

Absolutely. If you find it hard to cope, there are resources available that may help. If you have an advocate in the process, let them know how you are feeling and your advocate can help you identify and access those resources. If you don’t have an advocate you can contact Equal Opportunity, Access and Title IX Coordination. You can reach the office at 618-650-2333, or come by her office in Rendleman Hall 3316.

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