Students who search for a Ferris State Title IX lawyer usually want to know what happens next. This page explains, in general terms, how Ferris State University handles a sexual harassment or sexual misconduct complaint against a student, based on the documents the university posted as of September 2026. Your own notice and the policy version that applies to your case control the actual deadlines.
Which policy applies
Ferris State’s main document is the Sexual Harassment Policy and Related Title IX Grievance Process, linked from the Title IX office’s Policies and Procedures page. The posted copy carries a page-one footer reading "Rev. 5/18/22" and states no effective date. The university’s policy index shows "2020 08" in its Review Completed column for the same file, and an older version marked "Rev. 8/13/20" is still online. The two versions differ on how a hearing officer treats testimony from someone who refuses to be questioned. Which version governs your case depends on when the incident happened and when you received notice, so check the version cited in your notice and confirm it with the Title IX office.
Not every case goes through the Title IX process. The Title IX Policy covers Sexual Harassment (a defined term that includes quid pro quo and hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking) that occurs within Ferris’s education programs and activities in the United States. For a student respondent, sexual misconduct that occurs off campus in a private setting outside those programs, or outside the United States, is handled under Section 3, the Sexual Misconduct Resolution Process, of the Code of Student Community Standards. Section 3 was adapted from the Title IX Policy and follows nearly the same steps, but its decision-maker is a conduct case manager holding a "Conduct Conference" instead of a hearing officer holding a hearing. The Title IX Coordinator assesses whether the Title IX Policy applies, and a matter dismissed from the Title IX process can be referred to the Code. Your notice will identify the process that applies.
Report vs. formal complaint
Anyone may report sexual harassment to the Title IX Coordinator. The Coordinator then does a preliminary assessment of whether the conduct could fall within the policy. If it could not, the Coordinator closes the matter and may refer it to another office.
A Formal Complaint is a separate step. It is a document filed by the complainant, or signed by the Title IX Coordinator or designee, alleging sexual harassment and asking the university to investigate. No one may file a Formal Complaint on a complainant’s behalf. The Coordinator may sign one even if the complainant does not, "if doing so is not clearly unreasonable," normally in limited circumstances involving serious or repeated conduct or a continuing threat. Factors include whether a weapon or multiple assailants were involved, whether the accused is a repeat offender, and whether the incident creates a risk of recurring. When the Coordinator signs, the Coordinator is not a party. Under the policy, the investigation starts once a Formal Complaint is filed.
Early steps after notice
Under the Title IX Policy, within five (5) business days of the Title IX Coordinator or designee receiving a Formal Complaint, both parties get written notice. It includes a copy of or link to the policy, enough detail to prepare for an interview, a statement that the respondent is presumed not responsible and that responsibility will not be decided until the adjudication and any appeal conclude, the right to an advisor, the right to inspect evidence, and the rules against retaliation and false statements. Code Section 3 refers to written notice of the Formal Complaint but sets no deadline for it.
You are presumed not responsible until a determination is made final. If you do not participate, the process will be completed anyway and may result in a finding in your absence. The university may temporarily delay if law enforcement asks, but otherwise proceeds regardless of any criminal case.
If you believe the Coordinator, investigator, decision-maker, or appeal officer has a material conflict of interest or bias, raise it promptly. The Title IX Policy says to raise it with the Title IX Coordinator (or the Dean of Student Life if the concern is about the Coordinator); Code Section 3 says to raise it with the Dean of Student Life. Failing to raise it in time may waive the issue for appeal.
Dismissal
A Title IX complaint must be dismissed if the conduct would not be sexual harassment even if proved, or falls outside the policy’s scope, and may dismiss if the complainant withdraws in writing, the respondent is no longer enrolled, or specific circumstances prevent the university from gathering enough evidence. A Title IX dismissal is for the Title IX process only; the matter may be referred to the Code. Code Section 3 has its own similar dismissal grounds. Under both, either party may appeal a dismissal on the same grounds and deadline as other appeals (see Appeals).
Emergency removal
The Title IX Policy says that at any time after a report, the university may temporarily remove a student respondent if an individualized safety and risk analysis finds an immediate threat to anyone’s physical health or safety arising from the allegations. The university must offer to meet with the respondent within the next business day and give an opportunity to challenge the removal. Code Section 3 uses the same rule but names the Dean of Student Life as the one who may remove.
Code Section 2 separately lets the Dean of Student Life impose safety measures or an interim suspension. It says the Dean will schedule a meeting with the student within forty-eight (48) hours of a report, and the student may request a review meeting within seven (7) calendar days after being notified, conducted by the Vice President for Student Affairs or designee. Follow the instructions in the notice you actually receive.
Investigation and evidence
The burden of gathering enough evidence to reach a determination "lies with the University and not with the parties." The university "strives to complete each investigation within Ninety (90) business days" of sending the notice of Formal Complaint. That is a target, not a limit.
You may be interviewed, present fact and expert witnesses, and submit other evidence. Interviews may be documented by notes, audio, video, or transcript. If you know of evidence or witnesses and have a reasonable opportunity to present them during the investigation but do not, you may be barred from introducing them later, absent mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect.
Before the investigation report is finished, you and your advisor receive all evidence directly related to the allegations, including evidence the university may not rely on. You then have ten (10) business days to submit a written response. The final investigation report goes to each party and advisor at least ten (10) business days before a hearing or Conduct Conference. Questions about a complainant’s prior sexual behavior are generally not relevant, with narrow exceptions, and treatment records are not used without the party’s written consent. Code Section 3 uses the same periods.
Advisor and hearing
From the Formal Complaint through any appeal, you may bring an advisor of your choice to all meetings, interviews, and the hearing or Conduct Conference. The advisor may be, but is not required to be, an attorney. Except for questioning at the hearing or Conduct Conference, the advisor may not advocate for you or directly address the investigator, decision-maker, or appeal officer. If you have no advisor for the hearing and ask for one, the university provides one without fee to conduct questioning for you; the policy says it is not required to provide an advisor in any other circumstance. Two 2022 university flowcharts describe this more broadly, saying Ferris will provide or assign an advisor to a party without one. Code Section 2’s general conduct rules bar advisors from questioning witnesses, but Section 2 sends sexual harassment and sexual misconduct complaints to the Title IX process or Section 3, which both allow advisor questioning.
The pre-hearing conference and the hearing cannot be held any earlier than ten (10) business days from when the hearing notice is sent. That notice also sets a deadline for your written response to the investigation report, which must include items such as objections to evidence, witness requests, and your advisor’s name.
The hearing is live and is audio recorded or transcribed. By default everyone is in the same room, but either party can ask to be in separate rooms connected by video, and the decision-maker may hold it virtually. Each party’s advisor may ask the other party and witnesses relevant questions "directly, orally, and in real time." Parties may object, and may make a brief closing argument. The decision-maker screens questions for relevance. If a party or witness refuses to be questioned, their testimony "will be given appropriate evidentiary weight," but no inference may be drawn based solely on that refusal or absence. For Code Section 3 proceedings, the Rules of Decorum bar participants from recording and require neutral, non-argumentative questions.
The decision-maker uses a preponderance of the evidence ("more likely than not") standard. The university "strives to issue" the written determination within fifteen (15) business days of the end of the hearing or Conduct Conference.
Sanctions
If you are found responsible, a university official with disciplinary authority decides the discipline, and the university says it will impose discipline "commensurate with the severity or pervasiveness of the offense and the threat it poses to the community." Code Section 3 says outcomes range "from an administrative warning to permanent dismissal from the institution." The Code’s list of administrative outcomes in Section 2 includes no-contact orders, housing changes, disciplinary probation, suspension (which applies to all campuses), and dismissal. The Title IX Policy lists a broader range of discipline, including fines and mandatory training.
Alternative resolution
After the parties receive written notice of the Formal Complaint and before any appeal is complete, the parties may voluntarily agree, with the Title IX Coordinator’s approval, to an alternative (informal) resolution. The university’s Alternative Resolution Process document says parties may enter it "at any time after the filing of the Formal Complaint," so confirm timing with the Title IX office. No one is required to participate, and a party may withdraw before a resolution is finalized. It must be completed within twenty (20) business days unless extended, or the formal process resumes. A signed resolution is final and is not subject to appeal.
Supportive measures
Supportive measures are "non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services" offered without fee or charge. Under the Title IX Policy, when you are notified of a Formal Complaint, the Title IX Coordinator will also notify you that supportive measures are available, and the university offers them to respondents in the same manner as to complainants. You may request them earlier. Examples include no-contact orders, housing or class schedule changes, academic adjustments, and free counseling through the Personal Counseling Center. Violating the terms of a supportive measure may be a separate policy violation. The policy prohibits retaliation. It does not limit the parties’ ability to discuss the allegations, but it prohibits disclosing complaint or investigation information to influence or obstruct the investigation.
Appeals
Under both the Title IX Policy and Code Section 3, either party may appeal a determination or a dismissal on only three grounds: a procedural irregularity affected the outcome; new evidence that was not reasonably available at the time could have affected the outcome; or a conflict of interest or bias of the Title IX Coordinator, investigator, or decision-maker affected the outcome. "No other grounds for appeal are permitted."
The appeal must be submitted in writing "within ten (10) business days of the notice of determination or dismissal being sent by the University." The other party may file a written opposition within ten (10) business days. The university strives to decide within fifteen (15) business days of the appeal being filed or the opposition being received, whichever is later. The determination becomes final when the appeal period passes or the appeal is resolved, and "No further review beyond the appeal is permitted." Neither document names the appeal officer.
Ferris’s general conduct process in Code Section 2 uses a different window: seven (7) calendar days of receiving notification of the decision, and the Office of Student Community Standards page says seven calendar days of the date of the decision letter. Follow the deadline and instructions in your own outcome letter, and confirm with the Title IX office if they are unclear.
FAQ
Do I need a lawyer for a Ferris State Title IX case?
The policy does not require one. You may choose an advisor, who may be an attorney, and if you have no advisor for the hearing and ask for one, the university will provide one without fee to conduct questioning.
Does a report mean I am under investigation?
Not by itself. A report leads to the Title IX Coordinator’s preliminary assessment. The investigation begins once a Formal Complaint is filed by the complainant or signed by the Coordinator.
What if I do not participate?
The process will be completed anyway and may result in a finding in your absence.
How long do I have to appeal?
The Title IX Policy and Code Section 3 say ten (10) business days from when the notice of determination or dismissal is sent. Check the deadline in your own outcome letter, because other Ferris conduct processes use different windows.
More guides for Michigan schools: Michigan Title IX lawyer.
Disclaimer
This page is general educational information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ferris State University. Policies and procedures change, so confirm every deadline against your own notice and the currently posted policy and procedures.
Sources
- Sexual Harassment Policy and Related Title IX Grievance Process (PDF)
- Ferris State Title IX: Policies and Procedures
- Ferris State University Policies index
- Code of Student Community Standards
- Alternative Resolution Process for Sexual Harassment (PDF)
- Rules of Decorum (PDF)
- Ferris State Title IX: Report an Incident or File a Complaint
- Ferris State Title IX Office
