• Title IX Hearing Considerations & Suggestions
• Outreach & Engagement

HEARING POLICIES

• Consider implementing a Hearing Participation Agreement for all support parties, including witnesses, family members, local agencies, roommates, counselors, advocates, faculty/staff, coaches, Residential Staff such as RAs and RDs, friends, partners/significant others, etc. Even if they are not permitted in the hearing room to provide testimony or support, if they are allowed to be in proximity to the break rooms or hearing location, they should be required to sign a waiver and agreement for their direct or indirect participation.
• Consider whether to allow parties to bring any electronic devices, including phones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, or any other electronic device capable of recording or transmitting data, into the hearing room and/or break rooms. If devices are allowed, implement policies and procedures to ensure parties do not record the proceedings. Consider having a school representative verify the settings and open applications on each device permitted into the room.
• Recommend parties bring a change of clothing, in case of spills, cold sweats, or other clothing mishaps. Also recommend parties also bring a sweater or light jacket.  
• Establish a dress code to ensure appropriate, respectful attire in the hearing room by all parties. Consider requiring business casual attire.
• Because scents can be triggering, consider making a policy that no one should wear perfume, cologne, or other scented products during the hearing.

We have many more suggestions for your hearing board. Our team of 20+ experts can help with mock hearings, board training, and consultation for current hearings.

Start thinking ahead for this year’s Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention events with these ideas:

• Panel Discussion with Area Resources:  Include local support groups, counselors, law enforcement officers, DA’s, politicians, health care professionals, and other area support resources. 
• Speak Out and Story Share:  Either have students submit their personal stories or stories of someone close to them (with or without their names).  Designate readers or allow people to share their own stories.  To be respectful of everyone’s time, set a time limit for each person of 3-5 minutes.
• These Hands Aren't for Hurting Mural: Participants use brightly colored paint to create a mural with their handprints.  Have everyone sign their names by their handprints.  
• “Clothesline Project”: Create a visual representation of sexual and relationship violence.  Survivors and supporters decorate shirts that are color-coded based on the type of violence represented.  Hang the shirts on a clothesline in a central area.