The Role of an Advisor

Title IX (ETH-153) Grievance Process: Advisor Information

Who Can Have an Advisor?

Complainants, respondents, and witnesses involved in a grievance process under ETH-153 Title IX Sexual Harassment may have an advisor of their choice accompany them to any meetings or grievance proceedings. This accompanying person is referred to as the Advisor.

Role of an Advisor

Each participant (complainant, respondent, or witness) may have one advisor present during meetings or grievance proceedings.

An advisor may be a friend, parent, family member, attorney, or any other person chosen by the participant. Participants may change their advisor at any time during the process.

Advisors are permitted to inspect and review evidence related to the allegations, in accordance with ETH-153 (Title IX Sexual Harassment) and ETH-154 (Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct).

An advisor cannot serve as a witness or participant in the same grievance process.

Advisors must follow appropriate conduct. An advisor may be removed from a meeting or proceeding if they are disruptive or violate established decorum expectations.

Advisor Participation in Meetings and Hearings

In general, advisors may not actively participate in meetings or grievance proceedings. Their role is to provide support and guidance to the participant.

The exception is during a formal hearing under ETH-153 Title IX Sexual Harassment, where the advisor may be permitted to ask questions of the other party and witnesses, as required by the process.

Outside of this specific hearing context, advisors are limited to an advisory (non-speaking) role.

University-Provided Advisors

If a complainant or respondent does not have an advisor for a Title IX hearing under ETH-153, the University will provide an advisor at no cost.

Either party may also request that the University provide an advisor for proceedings governed by ETH-153.

Confidentiality and Mandatory Reporting

In cases involving Sexual Misconduct, an advisor provided by the University to a student may be designated as confidential when they learn of a potential incident while serving in their advisor role, in accordance with university policy.

Title IX (ETH -153) Hearing Procedures: Questioning of Participants

Questioning Participants at the Hearing

If a hearing is governed by ETH-153 Title IX Sexual Harassment, the complainant’s and respondent’s advisors will have the opportunity to ask relevant questions and follow-up questions of the other party and any witnesses, including questions that may challenge credibility.

Advisors may ask questions directly, orally, and in real time during the hearing.

The complainant and respondent are not permitted to personally ask questions of the other party or witnesses. All questions must be asked through their advisor.

Prior Sexual History

Questions or evidence about a complainant’s sexual predisposition or prior sexual behavior are generally not relevant.

Exceptions include:

When the information is offered to prove that someone other than the respondent committed the alleged conduct; or

When the information concerns specific prior interactions between the complaint and respondent and is offered to demonstrate consent.

Information Release for Advisors of Choice

A complainant, respondent, or witness must sign an Authorization and Release form for an advisor of choice to:

Be present at meetings or grievance proceedings; and/or

Access evidence gathered during the investigation.

Advisor Participation in Meetings and Hearings

In general, advisors may not actively participate in meetings or grievance proceedings. Their role is to provide support and guidance to the participant.

The exception is during a formal hearing under ETH-153 Title IX Sexual Harassment, where the advisor may be permitted to ask questions of the other party and witnesses, as required by the process.

Outside of this specific hearing context, advisors are limited to an advisory (non-speaking) role.

Grievance Process Questions:

Office for Access & Title IX

214-648-4343

TitleIX@UTSouthwestern.edu

UT Southwestern Medical Center – Pegasus Bldg.