Students who search for a Georgia Tech Title IX lawyer usually want to know what happens next. This page explains, in general terms, how the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta handles a sexual misconduct complaint against a student. Your own notice and the policy version that applies to your case control the actual deadlines.
Which policy applies
Georgia Tech’s Sexual Misconduct Policy was last revised in November 2025 to comply with University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents Policy 6.7, and its text follows that policy.
The step-by-step rules are in the Resolution Procedures for Alleged Violations of the Sexual Misconduct Policy, effective September 16, 2026. The Office of Equal Opportunity, Compliance, and Conflict Management (EOCCM) links this version from its policy page. An earlier version, effective January 12, 2026, differs on dismissal-appeal grounds and sanctions. If your case opened before September 16, 2026, ask EOCCM which version governs it.
For student respondents, Appendix A of the procedures covers the hearing, which the Office of Student Integrity (OSI) runs. The procedures point to Section G of the Student Code of Conduct for sanctions.
Report vs. formal complaint
Under Policy 6.7.2(A), "an institutional report does not automatically prompt an investigation." EOCCM’s Resolution Pathways page says telling EOCCM or a Responsible Employee about an incident does not automatically result in a Formal Complaint.
A Formal Complaint is a written document, filed by the complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator (called the "Senior Director" in the procedures), that alleges a policy violation and asks Georgia Tech to investigate. The Senior Director has "ultimate discretion" over whether one is made and typically conducts an initial assessment within five (5) business days of receiving notice or a Formal Complaint.
The Senior Director also decides whether the allegations are Title IX Sexual Harassment or Other Prohibited Conduct. That choice changes how questioning works at a hearing. A complaint that does not allege Title IX Sexual Harassment is dismissed from the Title IX track but still investigated as a non-Title IX complaint under the Sexual Misconduct Policy.
Early steps after notice
The Notice of Allegations (NOA) starts the formal process. It summarizes the allegations, states that you are presumed not responsible until a Final Determination, names the investigator, lists potential sanctions, and tells you to preserve evidence. Notice emailed to your Institute account is presumed delivered.
Upon receipt of the NOA, you have at least three (3) business days to respond in writing, admitting or denying the allegations and setting out facts, witnesses, and materials. A non-response is treated as a general denial.
Georgia Tech aims to finish the whole process, including appeals, within 120 business days, a target that can be extended.
If a student respondent withdraws, the process typically ends with a dismissal, but the Senior Director may continue it for safety or to remedy ongoing effects. A student who withdraws or takes leave may not return until the complaint is resolved and any sanctions are satisfied.
Dismissal and dismissal appeals
Some dismissals are mandatory for Title IX Sexual Harassment, for example when the conduct would not meet that definition even if proven. Others are discretionary, for example when the complainant withdraws in writing or the respondent is no longer enrolled. Any party may appeal a dismissal.
The procedures say a dismissal appeal must be filed within three (3) business days of the notification of the dismissal decision. The Resolution Pathways page groups dismissal appeals with other appeals that are "generally due within five business days." Use the deadline in your own dismissal notice and confirm it with EOCCM.
Investigation and evidence
You may suggest witnesses and questions and provide evidence. Interviews are recorded or summarized, and if you do not confirm accuracy in time, objections to that record are waived. A respondent’s past discipline is not considered unless there is a pattern allegation, and otherwise only at sanctioning.
You and your advisor receive the first version of the investigative summary and can inspect all directly related evidence during a ten (10) business-day review and comment period, which parties may choose to waive. Appendix D of the procedures also gives at least ten (10) business days to review and comment on the final investigation report before a hearing. The Policy’s own minimums are stated as 10 calendar days, so check the figure in your notice.
Advisor and hearing
You may have an advisor of your choice, including an attorney, at your own expense, at meetings, interviews, and hearings. The Senior Director will offer to assign a trained advisor to any party. Institute-appointed advisors are not attorneys. Outside of hearing questioning in a Title IX case, advisors generally may not speak for you.
Under the procedures, the hearing cannot be held less than ten (10) business days after the Final Investigative Summary is sent to the parties and panel, unless everyone agrees to go faster, and OSI sends the hearing notice no less than ten (10) business days before the hearing. The Policy states both of these minimums as 10 calendar days, so use the dates in your own hearing notice. A bias challenge to a panelist must be raised with OSI within two (2) business days of receiving the hearing notice.
A three-member panel hears the case. The procedures say the live hearing occurs by video technology, while the Policy says hearings are held in person or by video conferencing and the Resolution Pathways page says in person or virtual. Who asks questions depends on the classification:
- Title IX Sexual Harassment hearings: advisors ask all party questions. If you have no advisor, Georgia Tech provides one for that purpose.
- Other Prohibited Conduct hearings: questions are submitted to the panel to be asked. The procedures say the advisor has no active role in the hearing, while the Policy says advisors may actively assist in drafting questions.
The panel decides by a preponderance of the evidence, by simple majority. Its written statement is due to OSI within fifteen (15) business days of the end of deliberations unless extended, and OSI then sends the parties a written outcome notification.
Sanctions
The procedures say sanctions follow Section G of the Student Code: disciplinary warning, disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion, plus supplementary requirements such as fines or restitution. The posted Policy describes a broader range, including no-contact orders and delays in registration, graduation, or diplomas. For suspension or expulsion, the written decision must state the substantial evidence relied on.
Informal resolution
The procedures allow a request for informal resolution at any time before a Final Determination; the Resolution Pathways page says "at any point prior to a hearing." It is voluntary, requires a Formal Complaint, and is not appealable once resolved (Policy 6.7.3(F)).
Supportive measures
EOCCM’s Supportive Measures page says supportive measures are free, non-disciplinary, and may be offered to either or both parties before or during an investigation, whether or not a formal complaint is filed. Examples include academic adjustments, housing changes, and no-contact orders.
Emergency removal
Upon receipt of a Formal Complaint or at any time during the process, Georgia Tech may remove a student respondent if an individualized risk assessment finds a serious and immediate danger or threat to persons or property. Removal takes effect immediately. Under the procedures, you may challenge it within three (3) business days of the notification; otherwise objections are waived. The Senior Director then meets with you, not to decide the merits but to review the removal, and issues a written decision within three (3) business days of the meeting.
Other documents describe this differently: the Supportive Measures page mentions a hearing within three business days of a request, and the Student Code gives the Dean of Students authority over interim suspension. Follow the instructions in your removal notice.
Appeals
Under the procedures, the President or designee decides appeals of a Final Determination. A written appeal request goes to OSI within five (5) business days of the delivery of the notice of outcome. The grounds are new information that was not known or knowable, a procedural error that may have substantially affected fairness (including bias), or a finding inconsistent with the weight of the information. Review is on the record, and sanctions are stayed during the appeal.
Official documents describe this step differently. The Policy says to appeal to the President or designee within five business days of the date of the final written decision. The Resolution Pathways page says to file as described in the outcome letter and mentions a "second & final appellate officer." Follow the deadline, recipient, and grounds in your own outcome letter.
After Georgia Tech’s final decision, a party may apply for USG discretionary review under Board of Regents Policy 6.26 within 20 calendar days following the final institution decision. Review is not a matter of right.
FAQ
Do I need a lawyer for a Georgia Tech Title IX case?
The procedures do not require one. You may choose an advisor, including an attorney at your own expense, and Georgia Tech will offer a trained advisor who is not an attorney.
How long do I have to respond to the Notice of Allegations?
At least three (3) business days from receipt of the NOA, under both the procedures and Policy 6.7.5(2).
Can I appeal a dismissal?
Yes. The procedures give three (3) business days from notification of the dismissal decision, while the Resolution Pathways page says appeals are generally due within five business days. Use the deadline in your dismissal notice and confirm it with EOCCM.
What if my case is not treated as Title IX?
The procedures treat that finding as a Title IX dismissal that parties may appeal, and the complaint can still continue as a non-Title IX matter.
More guides for Georgia schools: Georgia 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 the Georgia Institute of Technology. Policies and procedures change, so confirm every deadline against your own notice and the currently posted policy and procedures.
Sources
- Georgia Tech Sexual Misconduct Policy (GT Policy Library)
- Resolution Procedures for Alleged Violations of the Sexual Misconduct Policy, effective September 16, 2026
- Georgia Tech Student Code of Conduct
- EOCCM: NDAH and Sexual Misconduct Policy
- EOCCM: Resolution Pathways
- EOCCM: Supportive Measures
- USG Policy 6.7 Sexual Misconduct Policy
- USG Office of Legal Affairs: Discretionary Review
