Tips For Conducting Remote Title IX Investigations During COVID-19 – Hogan Marren Babbo & Rose, LTD
With the increase and extension of stay-at-home orders across the nation, higher education institutions in the midst of transitioning their classes online are now also tasked with transitioning current, pending, and new Title IX investigations to virtual platforms. To help institutions conducting remote Title IX investigations due to COVID-19, we’ve put together some helpful tips below:
1.) Review and Update Title IX Policies and Procedures
Review your institution’s existing Title IX Policies and Procedures to determine whether changes to your policy are needed. In instances where your policies and procedures provide for in-person hearings, meetings, or interviews, you will want to update those policies and procedures to reflect the new ways that you will be conducting any in-person matters. For pending investigations, you will want to send notice to the parties about any changes that will be made to the procedures due to COVID-19. You will also want to ensure that you update your initial intake letters and Respondent notification letters to reflect any changes to the policies and procedures while your institution is conducting remote education. Make sure that you are documenting any changes that you make to the policies and procedures throughout the investigation process.