72 For emergencies, call 781-891-3131 For information or security services, call 781-891-2201 73
investigation without facing any form of retaliation.
Preparing for the Investigation Process:
There are several areas for consideration as you prepare for the Title IX
investigation. This section highlights some of those topics and offers some
suggestions for preparation.
1. Document your account of the incident. This can be a stressful
experience, and there may be a great deal of information you would like
the independent investigator to consider in the process. It is often helpful
to record your understanding and recollections of the situation to the
greatest detail possible prior to the meeting with the investigator. Among
the various details in the documentation, consider including previous
communications (e.g., text messages, social media exchanges) and a list
of potential witnesses).
2. You are entitled to an advisor (support person) through the process.
An advisor (support person) can be any person you feel comfortable
conding in, and they do not need to be afliated with the University.
A support person may accompany you to any part of the adjudication
process, including any meetings with the Title IX Coordinator, the
Hearing, and meeting with the independent investigator. The advisor
(support person) does not participate in the process and cannot serve as
a witness to the allegations in the report.
3. Advisor/Support Person of Choice. Some individuals chose to utilize an
attorney as an advisor (support person); you are encouraged to decide
whether that option makes sense for you. As the University process is
administrative, you will never be required to have an attorney in the
Title IX or GBHD investigation/adjudicatory process.
Appendix C: Investigation and Adjudication Procedures and
Protocols for Incidents Involving Students
I. INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW:
The University is committed to providing a prompt, thorough, equitable,
Based Harassment and Discrimination Policy (“the Policy”).
Under Title IX Regulations, Universities are required to distinguish
between prohibited conduct that is “under Title IX” and prohibited
conduct that is a violation of other University policies. Therefore, the
University uses two processes to resolve formal reports of prohibited
conduct under this Policy.
The allegation, location of incident, afliation to Bentley, and other
factors can inuence which adjudication process is applied to each case.
One qualifying allegation under the Federal denition of Title IX, even
when allegations applicable under the Gender-Based Harassment &
Discrimination policy are included, will result in the Title IX Adjudication
process.
1. The First Process is dened as the “Title IX Process“ and will only
apply to qualifying allegations of sexual harassment (including
sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking,
as dened in the Policy) involving students. The Title IX Process
involves an investigation, a live hearing (with cross-examination),
adjudication, and, if appropriate, the imposition of sanctions.
In order for a matter to qualify for adjudication under the Title IX
adjudication process, the following must be met:
2. The Second Process is dened as the “Gender-Based Harassment
and Discrimination Process,” known as the “GBHD Process” and
will apply if other allegations are invoked under this policy, based
on other protected class harassment and discrimination that is not
covered in the Title IX Process. Such allegations include, but are
not limited to, sexual exploitation, harassment based on sexual
orientation, gender or gender identity, online misconduct, and
other gender-based harassment and discrimination as dened in
the Policy. The applicable resolution of such offenses, known as the
GBHD Process, can alsoapply to sexual harassment (including sexual
assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, as dened
above) when jurisdiction does not fall within the Title IX Process, as
determined by the Title IX Coordinator. The GBHD Process involves
an investigation, a three-person panel hearing, adjudication, and, if
appropriate, the imposition of sanctions.
In order for a matter to qualify for adjudication under the GBHD
adjudication process, the reported matter must fall outside of
Appendix C: Investigation and Adjudication Procedures and Protocols for Incidents
Involving Students
I. Introduction and Overview:
The University is committed to providing a prompt, thorough, equitable, and impartial
resolution of all reported violations
of Title I
X and Gender
-Based Harassment and Discrimination Policy (“the Policy”).
Under Title IX Regulations, Universities are required to distinguish between prohibited
conduct that is “under Title IX” and prohibited conduct that is a violation of other University
policies. Therefore, the University uses two processes to resolve formal reports of prohibited
The allegation, location of incident, affiliation to Bentley, and other factors can influence
which adjudication process is applied to each case. One qualifying allegation under the
Federal definition of Title IX, even when allegations applicable under the Gender-Based
Harassment & Discrimination policy are included, will result in the Title IX Adjudication
process.
1. The First Process is defined as the “Title IX Process“ and will only apply to qualifying
allegations of sexual harassment (including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic
violence, and stalking, as defined in the Policy) involving students. The Title IX Process
involves an investigation, a live hearing (with cross-examination), adjudication, and, if
appropriate, the imposition of sanctions.
In order for a matter to qualify for adjudication under the Title IX adjudication process, the
following must be met:
When is a matter adjudicated under Title IX: Qualifications under the required Federal Definition
• Sexual Harassment
• Sexual Assault
• Relationship Violence
• Stalking
• Incident took place on Bentley’s campus
• Respondent is actively affiliated with Bentley University
at the time of Incident
• Must be deemed as severe, pervasive, AND objectively
offensive to a reasonable person
2. The Second Process is defined as the “Gender-Based Harassment and Discrimination
Process,” known as the “GBHD Process” and will apply if other allegations are invoked
under this policy, based on other protected class harassment and discrimination that is
not covered in the Title IX Process. Such allegations include, but are not limited to, sexual
exploitation, harassment based on sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, online
misconduct, and other gender-based harassment and discrimination as defined in the
Policy. The applicable resolution of such offenses, known as the GBHD Process, can also