Title IX Definitions

Title IX Definitions

Advisor. A person chose by a party or appointed by the university to accompany the party to meetings related to the resolution process, to advise the party on that process, and to conduct cross-examination for the party during the formal complaint hearing phase.

Complainant. An individual who brings forward allegations and alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute prohibited sexual harassment.

Formal complaint. A formal complaint is a request by the complainant, also known as the victim to investigate an allegation of Sexual Harassment. The document may be a physical or electronic submission (such as by electronic mail or through the online form at Gender Based Discrimination and Harassment Complaint Form) that contains the complainant’s physical or digital signature, or otherwise indicates that the complainant is the person filing the formal complaint.

Informal Complaint.  An informal complaint is a request jointly agreed to by both the complainant and respondent (i.e. parties) requesting a resolution strategy such as mediation between the parties.

Report.  Responsible Employees and Mandated Reports with notice of an alleged sexual harassment incident are required to complete the online Report Form and submit to the Title IX Coordinator.   Incidents that are to be reported include the following prohibited conduct: Sexual harassment, Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, and Stalking.

Respondent. An individual or organization responding to allegations involving conduct that could constitute sexual harassment.

Responsible Employee. All Kent State University employees are REQUIRED to disclose any instance of sexual harassment, including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking to the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@kent.edu and in the cases of sexual assault, to the police (9-1-1 or 330-672-3070). For more, visit the Responsible Employee Information website.

Witness.  An individual(s) with direct experience or related knowledge of events, issues, or circumstances related to the investigation, or with whom the complainants or respondents want the investigator to interview.