A FAMU Title IX lawyer can help you work Regulation 1.022 from the first notice through the final appeal. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University governs Title IX sexual misconduct under Regulation 1.022 with its own formal hearing process. Your notice of allegations and the regulation behind it define your case. General hearing background is at how do Title IX hearings work.
Intake: reports, formal complaints, and early support
Anyone may report sexual misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator by mail, telephone, Title IX email, or the compliance hotline portal. Anonymous reports are accepted, though anonymity may limit the response. Responsible employees and campus security authorities must forward all known details, while confidential employees in health services, counseling, and the victim advocate office are exempt. First steps are at after you have been accused.
A disciplinary case requires a formal complaint signed physically or digitally by the complainant, who must be participating or attempting to participate in the program or activity, or a complaint signed by the coordinator. The university treats both sides equitably from receipt, presumes the respondent not responsible, and keeps the burden of proof and evidence gathering on itself. The written notice that follows lays out the hearing process and the informal resolution option, describes the allegations, and warns that new allegations arising midstream draw fresh notice. Supportive measures open as soon as the coordinator learns of alleged misconduct, with no formal complaint required, as non-disciplinary, non-punitive services available without fee or charge to both sides, including counseling, deadline extensions, schedule changes, escorts, contact restrictions, housing changes, leaves, and monitoring. Ask in writing early.
Investigation: staggered review windows and a 60 day target
Day means a business day when the university is in normal operation, so counts run on business days unless the text says calendar days. The university aims to finish the investigation and reach a determination within sixty business days, with extensions for good cause on written notice stating the reasons. Both sides have an equal chance to inspect evidence directly related to the allegations, including material the university will not rely on.
Two review windows protect respondents. First, both sides receive the evidence with at least ten business days to respond in writing before the report is finished. Second, both sides receive the summary report with at least ten calendar days to respond before a hearing or determination. Inspected evidence is also available at the hearing for cross examination. Treatment records stay off limits without your voluntary written consent. Preparation notes are at title-ix-investigation.
Jurisdiction covers campus, controlled property, organization buildings, sponsored or approved activities wherever they occur, and university operations including virtual platforms. Conduct outside that scope routes to companion regulations such as the student code of conduct.
Hearing and advisor: live proceedings with advisor cross examination
Complaints not dismissed or informally resolved proceed to a live or virtual hearing. The decision maker explains the rights of each participant and keeps the proceeding fair. The hearing is administrative rather than criminal or civil, so courtroom rules of evidence do not apply, and witnesses appear only while being questioned. Charge notice reaches both sides no fewer than five business days before the hearing except in emergencies. Each side may present relevant information, call fact and expert witnesses, and offer inculpatory and exculpatory evidence. The hearing officer rules on relevance before any witness answers, and advisors conduct cross examination. Parties must exchange hearing information at least three business days ahead; late material may force a delay. Advisor guidance is at title-ix-advisor and format detail is at title-ix-disciplinary-hearings.
You may bring any advisor, attorney or not, at your own expense to any meeting or hearing. Scheduling stays with the parties. If you cannot or do not obtain an advisor, the university provides one for cross examination. Advisors must follow the decorum rules; a disruptive advisor may be removed after warning, with the proceeding continuing through another advisor or rescheduled.
Sanctions, determination, and appeal
The hearing officer applies the preponderance standard, asking whether the alleged conduct more likely than not occurred, on the totality of the evidence. The written determination reaches both sides at once within fourteen business days after the hearing, with the allegations, findings, result on each allegation, sanctions, remedies, and appeal information. Student sanctions run under the student conduct framework overseen by Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution. Possible consequences are at consequences of a Title IX violation.
Emergency removal is possible after a safety and risk analysis finding an immediate threat to physical health or safety. The respondent has three business days after receiving written notice to submit a written challenge with reasons and request an emergency hearing, held without delay and no later than five business days later, with a written decision no later than five business days after the hearing. Either side may appeal a hearing outcome or dismissal on four grounds: procedural irregularity, new evidence not reasonably available earlier, conflict of interest or bias, or sanctions extraordinarily disproportionate to the violation, in each case affecting or capable of affecting the outcome. Where a student is the respondent, the appeal goes in writing to the Dean of Students or designated official within ten business days, copied to the hearing officer and the coordinator. The other side has ten business days to respond, the hearing recording is made available, and no final penalty runs until university appeals conclude. Appeals are at title-ix-appeals.
Informal resolution may be offered any time before a determination, without a full investigation, on voluntary written consent of both sides. It is unavailable where a student complainant alleges sexual misconduct by a university employee. The university supplies written notice of the allegations, the requirements, the effect of agreement, and the records kept or shared. Any side may withdraw before agreeing and resume the formal track. The process must finish within fifteen business days of agreement, or the formal complaint continues toward a hearing absent an approved extension.
Speak with a FAMU Title IX lawyer
FAMU cases turn on staggered review windows, advisor led cross examination, and ten business day appeal deadlines. Contact us to discuss your notice and what comes next.
Respondent checklist
- Confirm whether your notice cites Regulation 1.022 or a companion conduct regulation
- Request supportive measures in writing at the first contact
- Calendar the three business day challenge window if removal issues
- File the evidence response inside ten business days and the report response inside ten calendar days
- Exchange hearing information at least three business days ahead
- Prepare any written appeal within ten business days of the determination
FAQ
Where do I go if I am accused under Title IX at FAMU?
The Title IX Coordinator receives reports and coordinates the process. Confirm whether a formal complaint exists and get the written charge notice.
Must there be a formal complaint first?
A disciplinary case needs a signed formal complaint from the complainant or the coordinator. Supportive measures are available with or without one.
Can I bring a lawyer?
Any advisor, attorney or not, may attend meetings and hearings at your expense. The advisor conducts cross examination, and the university provides one if you have none.
What must the university prove?
That the alleged conduct more likely than not occurred, with you presumed not responsible and the burden on the university.
What happens at the hearing?
A live or virtual administrative hearing with presentations, screened questioning, and advisor cross examination, followed by a written determination within fourteen business days.
How do I appeal?
Where a student is the respondent, write to the Dean of Students or designated official within ten business days, copying the hearing officer and the coordinator. The other side may respond within ten business days, and penalties wait until appeals conclude.
Sources (checked 2026-09-22)
- Regulation 1.022, Title IX Formal Hearing Process: jurisdiction, investigation, resolution, hearings, sanctions, appeals
- Title IX office portal: office role, reporting routes, contacts
- Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution: conduct route and sanction administration
More guides for Florida schools: Florida Title IX lawyer.
Disclaimer
This page is general information only, not legal advice, and reading it creates no attorney-client relationship. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Policies change; confirm the current regulation text before acting.
