A respondent is a person who has been reported or alleged to have engaged in conduct that would constitute a violation of the CalArts sexual harassment or sexual misconduct policies. These parties have resources available to them, as well as rights. Some support is confidential.
Process
When a person is identified as a respondent, the CalArts Title IX coordinator or designee will request an initial meeting. The respondent is not required to provide any information or response during that initial meeting. Rather, the respondent will receive details about the matter and be given a timeline to respond.
Respondents have a right to due process and always are alerted by the Institute’s Title IX Office when an investigation begins. They have rights not only to answer allegations but also to present witnesses and evidence and to have a support person or advisor during the investigation and grievance process.
Notice of allegations
You have 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.
Responding to allegations
Respondents may choose their own advisors, internal or external to the Institute, to accompany them to any meeting related to this process. As a respondent, you are entitled to fair, impartial, and thorough investigation, support for your concerns, assistance with decision-making and resources; that retaliation against respondents is prohibited; that respondents can inspect evidence; and that respondents may appeal decisions related to the CalArts process.
More details are available through CalArts’ policies page.
Right to an advisor of choice
You have a right to have one advisor of your choice, who may be an attorney, to assist you throughout the process.
Supportive measures
Respondents have an equitable right to request supportive measures during the course of the process.
What are supportive measures?
Supportive measures are nondisciplinary, non-punitive individualized services offered as appropriate, as reasonably available to the complainant or the respondent before or after the filing of a formal complaint or where no formal complaint has been filed.
The Title IX coordinator meets with the complainant and respondent to discuss options. Such measures will be kept confidential to the extent possible.
Examples of supportive measures:
Access to counseling services and assistance in setting up initial appointment, both on and off campus
Referral to the Employee Assistance Program
Imposition of a stay away directive issued to both parties (CalArts’ equivalent to no-contact order)
Rescheduling of exams and assignments
Providing alternative course completion options
A change in class schedule, including the ability to drop a course without penalty
A change in work schedule or job assignment
A change in on-campus residence hall assignments (either temporarily or permanently)
Limiting an individual or student group’s access to certain CalArts facilities or activities, pending resolution of the matter
A voluntary leave of absence
Providing an escort to ensure safe movement between classes, performances, and activities
Providing academic support services, such as tutoring
Relocation of one’s work space
Retaliation prohibited
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.
