Frequently Asked Questions

Sexual misconduct is a broad term the University of Idaho uses to include any type of sex or gender discrimination from a sexist comment up to rape. Many things can constitute sexual misconduct, such as dating/domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault.

Make sure you are safe – you can always utilize emergency services by dialing 9-1-1. Additionally, Gritman Medical Center and Student Health Center are available medical resources that can address physical needs. The Counseling and Mental Health Center is available, free of charge to students, to address mental and emotional distress.

The Women’s Center is a semi-confidential resource available to offer additional resources, explain reporting options, and connect you with care and support services. You can report to a UI employee, the Title IX coordinator, or the Dean of Students Office, and UI will provide prompt remedial action, assist in interim measures to protect you, and work toward an outcome to prevent this from happening again. If you want someone to take action to prevent this from happening again, reporting is the most effective option.

You can report to a UI employee, Title IX office, or Dean of Students office and the UI will provide prompt, remedial action, assist in interim measures to protect you, and may result in an outcome to prevent this from happening again. If you want someone to take action to prevent this from happening again, reporting is the most effective option.

The University of Idaho must address instances of sexual misconduct regardless of where it occurs. Furthermore, the Student Code of Conduct applies to all students regardless of physical location. As a student, you agree to follow the rules of the code as long as you are affiliated with UI. Even if an incident of sexual misconduct happens off-campus (e.g., at an apartment, in another city, etc.), UI will still look into the matter and take appropriate action.

There are completely confidential resources available on- and off-campus. The Counseling and Mental Health Center is completely confidential, as is the Student Health Center. Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse (ATVP) is an off-campus confidential resource that can provide advocacy, support, and additional resources.

The Women’s Center is a semi-confidential resource. They must report numbers of crime statistics for Clery Reporting purposes, but no identifying information is recorded (names, locations, dates, details, etc.). The Women’s Center can clearly explain all the available options for reporting without pressure, judgment or expectation.

The university works closely with the Moscow Police Department. Sexual misconduct involving UI students will be reported to UI through MPD. The university has an obligation to look into these matters and will contact you for care and concern or additional information. Unless you are merely a witness, you have the option to decline talking to UI, but the university will try to address the concerns to the best of its ability.

Report the incident as soon as possible to the Office of the Dean of Students or the Title IX coordinator. You are welcome to meet in person or send an email to report an incident of sexual misconduct. Most UI employees have a responsibility to report incidents of sexual misconduct to the Title IX coordinator or designee so disclosing to a faculty or staff member will prompt the process as well. UI will gather information and may conduct an investigation. The investigators will make a determination based on a standard of proof called “the preponderance of the evidence” (also known as more likely than not) and if the Student Code of Conduct or another UI policy was found to have been violated, the university will take appropriate action in accordance with policy and procedure.

When the university is notified of an allegation of sexual misconduct, typically two investigators will be assigned to the case. The investigators work as neutral fact-finders to gather information. The investigators will interview the complainant (the one bringing forward the complaint or the person who experienced the misconduct), the respondent (the one responding to the complaint), and any relevant witnesses. The investigators will gather evidence from those interviewed, such as photos, text messages, emails, social media communications, medical reports, police reports, etc.

The investigators aim to complete the investigation within 60 days. Factors such as complexity, a police investigation and holiday breaks can impact the 60-day timeline. A final report will be submitted to the Dean of Students Office if it is determined a UI policy violation occurred.

The dean of students may impose sanctions, or penalties, to the respondent if a UI policy violation occurred. Through the student disciplinary process, the respondent can request a review the sanction at a hearing with the Student Disciplinary Review Board.

The UI will conduct an investigation. Someone who is alleged to have engaged in sexual misconduct is typically referred to as the respondent (someone responding to an allegation). Investigators will contact you to gather information. You, as the respondent, are not required to participate in the investigation process, however, the investigation will proceed with or without your participation. You have the right to an advisor throughout the process. The ASUI offers a student defender at no cost to you or you may select any advisor of your choosing, at your own expense.

If the investigation determines you violated UI policies, you will be contacted by the Dean of Students Office and sanctions may be in place. You can accept the sanctions or request a review of the sanctions.

The university investigators use the “preponderance of the evidence” standard of proof. This means investigators are determining whether it is more likely than not that a violation of a policy occurred. It is generally explained as “50 percent and a feather.” It is important to know that UI’s burden of proof is lower than law enforcement’s burden of proof. This means that a criminal process may begin and conclude without any formal charges or without a finding of “guilty,” but the university could still investigate and find someone responsible for a policy violation.

If the investigators determined you violated a UI policy, the final investigation report will be submitted to the Dean of Students conduct officer. The conduct officer will evaluate the policy and the severity of the violation and make recommendations for sanctions. Sanctions can range anywhere from a warning up to expulsion. Sanctions are assigned by a case-by-case basis.

If you disagree with the outcome and/or proposed sanctions you can appeal to the Student Disciplinary Review Board. They will conduct a hearing to review the original investigation, review evidence, interview those involved with the original investigations, and either uphold or amend the proposed sanctions.