Employees Responding to Complaints of Gender-Based Discrimination/Harassment
Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities. You may contact ECRT at anytime to request such accommodations.
Things You Should Know....
Our role is to coordinate and carry out the University’s response to reports of Prohibited Conduct under the We are an impartial office and do not represent or advocate on behalf of any party or witness in an investigation. We recognize the information shared during an ECRT process is sensitive and we will only share information
with University officials when necessary and appropriate. ECRT is not a Confidential Resource, however, and does share information as appropriate on a need to know basis.
Investigator
The investigator’s role is to conduct an impartial and unbiased investigation, or other response, into reported violations of the University’s Policy on Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct. The investigator is the primary point of contact during the initial assessment, initial meeting, and the investigation portion of an investigative resolution.
Impartiality
If you have a concern that the investigator, external reviewer, or other individual handling your case cannot carry out their role in this matter in a fair and unbiased manner (e.g., has a personal connection with one of the parties or witnesses, etc.), please contact the Title IX Coordinator, Andrea Berry McDaniel, immediately. She may be reached at 313-436-9194 or
Advisor
You may bring an advisor with you to any meeting during the investigative process, including your interview. Your advisor could be a friend, family member, advocate, or an attorney.
Supportive Measures
You have the right to request supportive measures. Supportive measures are individualized services, accommodations and other assistance that the University offers free of charge. Supportive measures may include but are not limited to: the ability to modify a University work schedule or job assignment, alter a University work location or assignment, a mutual no contact directive, and assistance in connecting to counseling or medical services. More information about supportive measures is included in and Please let ECRT know if you wish to request supportive measures. You may also request supportive measures through
confidential resources, including the
Retaliation
The University prohibits retaliation for making a report or Formal Complaint of Prohibited Conduct; being alleged to have committed Prohibited Conduct; assisting or participating, or refusing to participate, in any proceeding under this Policy. Any person who feels they are being subjected to retaliatory behavior is strongly encouraged to contact ECRT immediately. We will look into the matter and the University will take action if retaliation has occurred. It is also important that you, along with all other persons who are aware of this investigation, avoid engaging in conduct that may be perceived as retaliatory.
Resources for Support
The University offers a variety of services to support Respondents. Several are listed below. ECRT can provide additional information about resources, as requested. If you are concerned for your safety, call 9-1-1 immediately.
• (Confidential) 734-936-8660
• Faculty Ombuds (Confidential) 313-593-5240
• (Confidential) 734-936-0600
• 734-274-9551
• 800-273-TALK (8255)
• 866-488-7386
Procedural Pathways
There are multiple procedural pathways used to resolve concerns of gender-based discrimination or harassment under the Policy:
Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct Process
An investigation into allegations of Sexual or Gender-Based Misconduct, resulting in disciplinary/corrective action if the Respondent is found to have violated the Policy.
Adaptable Resolution
A voluntary, remedies-based, non-disciplinary structured process between or among affected parties that focuses on creating an agreement to address harm and promote accountability. Adaptable resolution is not always appropriate in all matters, and is not available in matters involving a student Complainant and faculty or staff Respondent.
Mediation
An informal, structured interaction between parties with the help of an impartial mediator to achieve a resolution satisfactory to both parties. Mediation is not always appropriate in all matters and is not available in matters involving a student Complainant and faculty or staff Respondent.
SEXUAL AND GENDER-BASED MISCONDUCT PROCESS
Complainant’s Statement
If ECRT opens an investigative resolution, ECRT will interview the Complainant if they are participating in the investigation. During the meeting, the Complainant will provide information about their concerns, identify relevant witnesses, and provide or otherwise identify any documentary evidence they wish to be considered. After the interview, ECRT will provide the Complainant with a draft written summary of relevant information from their interview. The Complainant will have three (3) calendar days to review their statement for accuracy and completeness. They may submit feedback and ECRT will incorporate relevant feedback into the investigation report.
Your Statement
You will be informed of the allegations and given the opportunity to respond to the reported conduct, identify relevant witnesses, and provide or otherwise identify any documentary evidence you wish to be considered. This is your opportunity to share all relevant information you have regarding the matter. After the interview, ECRT will provide you with a draft written summary of relevant information from your interview. You will have three (3) calendar days to review your statement for accuracy and completeness and to provide feedback. You may submit feedback and ECRT will incorporate relevant feedback into the investigation report.
Parties (as well as witnesses) are expected to provide all relevant information at the time of their interview, or as soon as otherwise possible, and to be truthful and complete in their responses. Throughout the process, you are expected to share information that is accurate to the best of your knowledge. A person who makes a materially false statement in bad faith in the course of a proceeding may be subject to disciplinary action. If the University ultimately finds that its policies were not violated, that finding is not, in and of itself, an indication of a materially false statement made in bad faith
Gathering Additional Information - Witnesses and Evidence
As part of the investigation, ECRT will interview relevant witnesses and gather relevant evidence. Witness participation in the investigation is voluntary. Witnesses are advised before making a statement that they will be identified by name in the investigation report. The investigator has the discretion to not interview a witness if the witness does not possess relevant information or if the information they are expected to provide would be duplicative. After their interviews, witnesses are offered the opportunity to review a draft written summary of relevant information from their interview.
Review of Evidence and Preliminary Investigation Report
After ECRT has concluded the investigation, both parties will be provided a copy of the preliminary investigation report and an electronic file of all evidence gathered during the investigation. The preliminary investigation report is a written summary of the information ECRT has gathered. It includes the summary of relevant information provided by each person interviewed, and other relevant information obtained in the investigation. The preliminary investigation report does not include an investigation outcome. Both parties will have the opportunity to review the electronic file of evidence and the preliminary investigation report. You may provide feedback and additional documents or evidence, up to ten (10) pages, within ten (10) calendar days after the preliminary report is sent to you. As parties are encouraged to provide all relevant evidence as early as possible in the process, any party providing new evidence in response to the preliminary report should identify whether that evidence was previously available to them, and if so, why it was not previously provided. ECRT will review and attach all feedback submitted by either party to the final investigation report. For additional information about the preliminary report and evidence review, see
Final Investigation Report
After receiving feedback to the preliminary investigation report, or after the feedback deadline passes, ECRT will reach a conclusion as to whether there is sufficient evidence to establish a Policy violation. This determination will be made using the preponderance of the evidence standard, meaning that to establish a Policy violation, the evidence must demonstrate that it is more likely than not that conduct occurred in violation of the Policy. The investigator will provide both parties and the relevant University administrators with the final investigation report. For additional information about the final investigation report, see
Corrective Action. If ECRT finds that a Policy violation or other inappropriate behavior has occurred, the Respondent’s supervisor or other appropriate University administrator will determine appropriate sanctions/corrective action and remedies. Sanctions are subject to review under the applicable grievance procedures available to the Respondent. For additional information about the final investigation report, see
More information. If you have any other questions, please contact ECRT at 313-436-9194 or
Contact ECRT
4901 Evergreen Road
Dearborn, MI 48128