Georgia Institute of Technology Title IX Attorneys
Georgia Institute of Technology (“Georgia Tech”) is responsible for educating more than 45,000 students representing all 50 states and 149 countries. They pride themselves on providing their students with opportunities to create solutions for a better future, including participating in groundbreaking research and learning from the brightest minds in the world. To ensure their students are working to achieve professional success after graduation, they require them to meet specific academic and behavioral standards. Students who are accused of violating these standards will be disciplined.
Getting into Georgia Tech is an incredible feat that should be celebrated. Most students who are accepted never consider that one day they could be accused of violating one of the school’s conduct rules. So, when it happens, it can feel very overwhelming. You might be wondering who you can turn to or who you can trust. Capovilla & Williams are here to help. Call our office today.
What is Title IX
Under Title IX, a federal regulation, any federally funded educational institution, such as high schools, colleges, and universities, that receives a complaint of sex-based discrimination must follow specific steps to resolve it. The exact definition of “sex-based discrimination” does vary from school to school, but Georgia Tech lists the following conduct:
- Dating violence
- Domestic violence
- Nonconsensual sexual contact
- Nonconsensual sexual penetration
- Sexual exploitation, including prostituting another person, taking nonconsensual photos or videos of sexual activity, and sexually-based bullying
- Sexual harassment
- Stalking
According to Title IX, other examples of sex-based discrimination can include discrimination in STEM programs and courses, discrimination based on pregnancy, and not providing students with equal athletic opportunities.
If a federally funded school, like Georgia Tech, does not comply with the steps outlined in Title IX when trying to adjudicate a complaint of sex-based discrimination, it could lose its federal funding. To ensure this does not happen, many educational institutions will adjudicate complaints that have no real basis in fact. As such, accused students are forced to suffer through the Title IX process and the consequences that may result. Working with an attorney from the moment you learn of the accusation against you can help prevent you from suffering unnecessary consequences.
The Title IX Disciplinary Process
At Georgia Tech, every student, faculty, and staff member is charged with reporting Title IX violations if they witness them. Once a Title IX complaint is received by the Title IX Coordinator, the Coordinator will interview the complainant to learn more about the supposed incident. If, during that interview, the Coordinator determines that the complaint falls within the scope of their office, they will encourage the complainant to file a formal complaint.
Sometimes, the complainant will decide not to file a formal complaint and ask to drop the issue. However, if the Title IX Coordinator believes there is enough preliminary evidence to support a formal complaint, they will file one themselves. Once the formal complaint is filed, the Coordinator will appoint an Investigator. The Investigator will meet with the complainant, the accused student, and any witnesses that come forward or are suggested by either party. At the end of the investigation, the Investigator will submit their report to the Coordinator, who will review the report and determine if a hearing is appropriate.
If the Coordinator believes a hearing should be conducted, they will appoint a panel of individuals to oversee it. During the hearing, both the complainant and the accused student can present evidence and witness testimony to support their arguments. They will also have a chance to cross-examine the other party’s witnesses to refute their arguments.
Once both sides have been heard, the hearing panel will meet separately to determine if the student is responsible and, if so, what sanctions to impose. Usually, sanctions range from a reprimand or removal from university housing to suspension or expulsion.
The hearing panel’s decision will be delivered to the student, at which point the student will be instructed on how to appeal the decision.
How a Skilled Title IX Defense Law Firm Can Help
Title IX violations can be extremely confusing. To ensure you are fully prepared to defend yourself, working with an experienced Title IX defense attorney is important. At Capovilla & Williams, we will work hard to ensure Georgia Tech takes your case seriously and upholds your due process rights. Call 855-218-6432 today or schedule a free consultation online.