A Georgia State Title IX lawyer can help identify your hearing track, review evidence, and prepare questioning for a panel hearing.
Georgia State follows the University System of Georgia Board of Regents Sexual Misconduct Policy, incorporated into the Student Code of Conduct, alongside system standards for student conduct investigation and discipline. The campus Equity and Civil Rights Compliance hub publishes a student respondent rights document that works together with the system policy. Your notice letter should state which track and which hearing model applies, since Title IX and non-Title IX cases question witnesses differently.
Intake: reporting and notice in Atlanta
A report alerts the institution to possible sexual misconduct and can bring interim measures at any point after the institution learns of an allegation. A formal complaint asks for investigation and resolution. The written notice of allegations, charges, possible sanctions, support services, and rights goes to your institution email with the identities of the parties where known, the conduct alleged, the date and location where known, and the investigator identity, supplemented as evidence develops.
Upon receiving that notice, both sides have at least three business days to respond in writing. In your response you may admit or deny the allegations and set out facts, witnesses, and materials. You may remain silent without adverse inference, though the process can still proceed to a result. Practical first steps after notice are at after you have been accused.
Investigation: evidence access and the two reports
Investigators conduct a thorough investigation, retaining written notes or obtaining written or recorded statements, keep a record of suggested witnesses not interviewed with reasons, and may not use treatment or privileged records without voluntary written consent. Both sides may present witnesses and inculpatory and exculpatory evidence throughout. Formal courtroom evidence rules do not apply, and the standard throughout is preponderance of the evidence.
First, before the report is finalized, both sides receive timely and equal access to the directly related information gathered that may be used at the hearing, shared with advisors where applicable. Second, the initial investigation report fairly summarizing the relevant evidence and stating any charges goes to both sides and advisors for at least ten calendar days of written response, after which the investigator decides on further inquiry or revisions.
The final report then goes to both sides, advisors, and all panel members at least ten calendar days before the hearing.
The GSU rights document targets resolution within 120 days of the formal complaint, with status updates if the process runs longer. The adopted system text states a target of 120 business days for investigation and resolution.
Hearing and advisor: panel hearing with track specific questioning
Unresolved sexual misconduct cases go to a hearing before a panel of faculty or staff, and no hearing may occur before the investigation report is finalized. Notice of the date, time, location, and panel members arrives at least ten calendar days before the hearing. Hearings run in person or by video, with separate room testimony available where no side is unfairly disadvantaged. All directly related evidence is available at the hearing for reference. Hearing format is at how do Title IX hearings work.
Advisor roles split by track, so confirm your model in the notice. In Title IX cases, your advisor conducts cross-examination by asking relevant questions directly to the other side and witnesses, subject to Hearing Officer relevance limits, and the institution provides an advisor for questioning if you choose none during the investigation.
In non-Title IX cases, both sides confront witnesses by submitting written questions to the Hearing Officer, with advisors helping draft them. Your advisor may attend all meetings at your expense for advice and counsel, and all communication runs between the institution and you rather than the advisor.
Sanctions and interim measures
After hearing, both sides receive a simultaneous written decision with the allegations, procedural steps, factual findings, responsibility determinations, evidence relied on, rationale, and any sanctions or administrative actions, plus appeal rights. For suspension and expulsion, the decision must articulate the substantial evidence supporting that outcome.
Student sanctions under the Code run from written reprimand, educational sanctions, probation, and restriction through suspension with course withdrawal and expulsion with campus ban, plus temporary or permanent transcript annotation. The broad system range also includes no-contact and separation measures, training, counseling, service, privilege loss, and restitution. Related consequences are at consequences of a Title IX violation.
Separately, interim measures such as housing changes, mutual no-contact directives, property restrictions, and academic or employment adjustments may start as soon as the institution learns of an allegation.
Emergency removal takes immediate effect for a serious and immediate danger or threat to persons or property, after considering risk and less restrictive alternatives. The system policy gives respondents three business days after receiving notice to respond. Separately, GSU’s rights summary requires reasonable efforts to hear respondents before suspension and a decision within three business days after receiving a challenge. Confirm the applicable instructions in your notice; these are different clocks.
Admission may lead to sanctioning. Informal resolution requires both parties’ and the university’s agreement, with withdrawal allowed before terms are agreed. Formal complaints alleging misconduct by an institution employee against a student cannot resolve informally under the system policy.
Appeals: outcome versus dismissal
Both the respondent and the complainant may appeal a sexual misconduct outcome on three grounds: new information not known or knowable to the appellant during the hearing or appeal that could alter the decision, procedural error that may have substantially affected fairness including improperly excluded questions or tainting bias, and a finding inconsistent with the weight of the information.
The appeal must be written, state at least one ground, and reach the President or designee within five business days of the date of the final written decision. Review is on the record only with no new meeting required. The President or designee may affirm, affirm with a new sanction of greater or lesser severity, remand to correct a defect, or reverse or dismiss where remand cannot cure the defect, with the decision issued simultaneously in writing.
Further review by the Board of Regents is available on a discretionary basis. Appeal mechanics are at title-IX appeals.
Dismissal works separately. The institution may but need not dismiss where the conduct would not constitute sexual misconduct even if proved, where the complainant withdraws in writing, where the respondent leaves the institution, or where evidence cannot be gathered. Both sides receive simultaneous written notice with reasons and may appeal. GSU’s current Student Code applies the same criteria, five-business-day timeline, and submission process to dismissal appeals, with review by the Vice President for Student Engagement or designee. Check the instructions in your dismissal notice immediately.
Frequently asked questions
Does every Georgia State report lead to a hearing?
No. Reports start support and screening, and admitted responsibility can move a case to sanctioning or informal resolution. Unresolved sexual misconduct cases go to a faculty or staff panel hearing.
How do I see the evidence?
You receive equal access to directly related information before the report is finalized, at least ten calendar days to respond to the initial report, and the final report at least ten calendar days before the hearing.
Who questions witnesses at my hearing?
It depends on the track. In Title IX cases your advisor asks questions directly at the hearing. In non-Title IX cases you submit written questions through the Hearing Officer with advisor drafting help. Confirm the model in your notice.
Can I bring a lawyer?
You may use an advisor of your choosing, who may be an attorney, at your expense throughout. If you choose none during the investigation, the institution provides one for Title IX hearing questioning.
How do I appeal?
Appeal an outcome in writing to the President or designee within five business days on one of the three stated grounds. GSU’s Student Code uses the same five-business-day timeline for a dismissal appeal, which goes to the Vice President for Student Engagement or designee. Follow the submission instructions in your notice.
More guides for Georgia schools: Georgia Title IX lawyer.
Disclaimer
This guide provides general educational information about the Georgia State University grievance process and is not legal advice. Confirm applicable procedures and deadlines with GSU. This site is not affiliated with Georgia State University. No attorney client relationship is created by reading this page. For advice about your matter, contact a qualified attorney promptly, because appeal and review deadlines are short.
Sources
- Title IX hub with student respondent rights, Equity and Civil Rights Compliance
- H. Sexual Misconduct Policy, 2026-2027 Student Handbook catalog
- Student Code of Conduct, 2026-2027 Student Handbook
- Board of Regents Sexual Misconduct Policy 6.7, PolicyStat ID 19466143
- Student Conduct hub, Office of the Dean of Students
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