Support and Advocacy

The respondent has the right to receive a written notice of any and all allegations known at the time of the complaint with sufficient time to prepare a response before any initial interview, including the identities of the parties involved in the incident, if known, the conduct allegedly constituting a policy violation, and the date and location of the alleged incident, if known. You and the respondent will be simultaneously notified upon issuance of the notice of allegation.

The respondent is not presumed responsible for the alleged conduct until a determination is made at the conclusion of the grievance process.

You have a right to have one advisor of your choice, who may be an attorney, to assist you throughout the process.

Your privacy is respected and we keep information gathered during the interview process confidential, limiting disclosure to those University employees with a legitimate “need to know” in order to carry out their responsibilities to review, investigate and/or resolve these matters.

You have a right to an impartial investigation that is conducted in a prompt, thorough and fair manner, focusing on the available information.

You have a right to participate in the investigation process free from retaliation. CalArts prohibits all forms of retaliation against an individual who has engaged in a protected activity such as filing a discrimination or harassment complaint, making a verbal statement of discrimination or harassment, or being a witness in a discrimination or harassment complaint. Retaliation should be promptly reported to the Title IX Coordinator.

You have a right to receive supportive measures based upon the facts and circumstances of the situation including, but not limited to:

• Counseling
• Extensions of deadlines or other course-related adjustments
• Modifications of work or class schedules
• Campus escort services
• Mutual restrictions on contact between the parties
• Changes in working or housing locations
• Leaves of absence
• Increased security and monitoring of certain areas on the campus.

These measures will be maintained as confidential to the extent that the Institute’s ability to effectively provide the measures is not impaired.

The respondent has a right to know of any supportive measure already determined and being provided to you that directly affect/or impact the Respondent.

Provided that you and the respondent give your voluntary, written consent, the CalArts may facilitate a resolution without a full investigation and adjudication. This option is not available if the complaint involves quid pro quo harassment or sexual assault.

If resolution of the allegation is not resolved through an informal process, a formal investigation will take place. Both parties will be notified of the investigator’s contact information and each party will have the opportunity to identify any real or perceived conflicts of interest by notifying the Title IX Coordinator in writing. The Title IX Coordinator will consider stated concerns and if they determine that a material conflict of interest exists, will assign a different investigator.

Typically, the investigator’s first step will be to meet with you to fully understand the allegations. You may be accompanied by an advisor of your choice during this meeting. You are strongly encouraged to share all information, including documentation and names of witness, if any, with the Investigator. After the investigator understands the nature and scope of the allegations, you and the respondent will be notified of any new or amended allegation(s),  will be sent an updated notice of allegation(s) and given a full and fair opportunity to respond. They are also strongly encouraged to share all information, including documentation and names of witnesses, if any with the investigator. The parties are not present during each other’s interviews.

The investigator will take notes during the interview. However, interviews with the investigator are not recorded, and no recording is permitted by anyone participating in the investigation process, including complainants, respondents, witnesses, and advisors.

After meeting with the complainant and the respondent, the investigator interviews witnesses and reviews all documentation deemed relevant to the situation. The investigator will also visit, inspect, and take photographs at relevant sites where applicable; collect and preserve relevant evidence. The investigator may also contact the parties with additional questions or to request additional relevant information.

You will have an opportunity to inspect and review the evidence obtained through the investigation. The purpose of the inspection and review process is to allow each party the equal opportunity to meaningfully respond to the evidence prior to conclusion of the investigation.

The investigator will consider all information gathered during an investigation and prepare a report, which will be shared with both parties. Each party will have the opportunity to submit a written response to the evidence which will be considered by the Investigator before the report is submitted to the Title IX Coordinator. The report is not shared with any other parties, including witnesses.

The Title IX Coordinator will provide a final copy of the report to both parties concurrently and at least 10 calendar days prior to the determination hearing. The parties may provide a written response to the final investigation report five calendar days after receiving it.

A hearing will be conducted to determine the outcome and resolution of the complaint. CalArts will appoint a neutral hearing officer to conduct the hearing, make findings regarding responsibility, and if applicable, any necessary sanctions.

If the respondent is found responsible for sexual harassment, assault or sexual misconduct, the hearing officer will notify both parties of the decision, any imposed sanctions, and remedies provided to you to the extent the Respondent is affected.

Both you and the respondent may appeal the hearing officer’s decision within five days of receipt of the decision. A three-member panel composed of at least two faculty or staff members will review the appeal. The panel’s decision is final. and no further appeals may be submitted under the Title IX Policy.

The appeal of the hearing officer’s decision must be for one of the following reasons:

• Procedural irregularity that affected the outcome of the decision
• New evidence, not reasonably available at the time of the hearing, that could affect the outcome of the decision
• The Title IX Coordinator, investigator(s), or hearing officer had a conflict of interest or bias for or against either party that could affect the outcome of the decision
• The sanctions imposed are not appropriate for the nature and severity of the conduct

You have the right to:

1. Have disclosures of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault treated seriously;
2. Make a decision about whether or not to disclose a crime or violation of CalArts Policies and participate or not participate in a grievance process free from pressure by the Institute;
3. Participate in a process that is fair, impartial, and provides adequate notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard;
4. Be treated with dignity and to receive supportive measures and/or accommodations where available;
5. Be free from any suggestion that a Complainant is at fault when these violations are committed, or should have acted in a different manner to avoid such violations;
6. Describe the incident to as few CalArts representatives as practicable and not be required to unnecessarily repeat a description of the incident;
7. Be address reports of retaliation by CalArts, any student, the accused and/or the respondent, and/or their friends, family and acquaintances within the jurisdiction of the Institute;
8. Be accompanied by an adviser of choice who may assist and advise a complainant, throughout the Institute grievance or conduct process including during all meetings and hearings related to such process; 
9. Make a report to local law enforcement and/or state police; and/or choose not to report to the Institute.