If you are looking for an IU Indianapolis Title IX lawyer after receiving a sexual misconduct or Title IX notice, start by identifying the policy and procedure named in it. This page explains the published IU student process and the deadlines to check. It is general information, not a substitute for reading your own notice carefully or getting individual legal advice.
First, confirm which institution and policy apply to you
Indiana University Indianapolis became the official name of the campus on July 1, 2024, following the split of the former IUPUI. Some students who were previously associated with IUPUI remained on a Purdue degree path rather than an IU one. Because the two institutions have separate processes, do not assume that IU’s procedure automatically applies just because your case involves the Indianapolis campus. Check your admission and enrollment status, or ask the office that sent your notice, to confirm whether you are on the IU route described here.
For IU Indianapolis students, campus policy points to IU’s system-wide rule, UA-03, Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct. The IU Indianapolis policy index confirms that IU-wide policies, including UA-03, govern this campus. UA-03 lists an effective date of March 1, 2015 and a last review/update date of June 26, 2025. Those dates describe the document itself; they do not by themselves tell you which version of the policy governs your particular incident. Which version applies depends on your incident date and the notice you received. If your notice references a specific version or date, use it as the starting point and ask the responsible office to confirm which version governs your case.
The IU Indianapolis Community Standards page directs sexual misconduct allegations to UA-03. The campus’s personal-misconduct procedures, Article XI explicitly defer sexual-misconduct matters to UA-03. For a matter handled under UA-03, use its appeal rules rather than the ordinary Article XI appeal periods.
Report versus formal complaint, and which UA-03 path applies
UA-03 draws a distinction between simply reporting a concern and triggering a formal complaint. Under the policy’s overarching section V, a formal complaint is screened to determine whether it meets the Title IX definition and jurisdictional requirements.
- If the matter meets that Title IX scope, it proceeds under Section VI, the student Title IX sexual misconduct procedure.
- If Title IX’s scope is not met, or the matter otherwise falls outside that definition, it may instead proceed under Section VIII, the student university sexual misconduct procedure.
- Employees are covered by a separate set of procedures not addressed on this page.
These two sections are not interchangeable. They use different questioning rules at a hearing, among other differences. A dismissal under the Title IX definition in section V does not necessarily end the matter. The allegation may be reviewed under another university procedure. Check your written notice for the stated procedure. If it is unclear, ask the issuing office which section applies.
Early steps after a report
Once a report comes in, UA-03’s overarching procedures make supportive measures available to both parties regardless of whether a formal complaint has been filed. These are meant to be non-punitive and are separate from any disciplinary outcome.
If a formal complaint proceeds to investigation, interim suspension may be considered under UA-03, but it is not automatic. Campus interim-suspension procedures apply, and a Title IX removal requires an individualized immediate-threat assessment. Receiving a notice does not itself mean you have been suspended. Confirm your actual status with the office handling your case.
For allegations against an IU Indianapolis student, the campus reporting guide identifies the Dean of Students Deputy Title IX Coordinator as the relevant contact for student-respondent matters, distinct from the Office of Civil Rights Compliance Deputy route used for employee and other nonstudent respondents. The IU Indianapolis sexual misconduct page and the Office of Civil Rights Compliance Indianapolis office page list current coordinators and office contacts. Treat these as starting points for reaching the right office, not as a guarantee of who will investigate or decide your particular case.
Investigation, evidence review, and your response
Under Section VI.3, you are entitled to written notice of the allegations against you and an opportunity to respond. After the investigation concludes, both parties and their advisors receive the Preliminary Investigation Report and the Investigation File. From that point, you have 10 calendar days to review the materials and submit added or clarifying information to the investigator. UA-03 describes this as the final ordinary opportunity to submit material to the investigator. It allows a narrow exception for material requested within that period but not reasonably available before the deadline.
Later, the Final Investigation Report and file are sent to each party and advisor at least 10 calendar days before the scheduled hearing. Section VI.3 says "10 days"; UA-03 defines unqualified days as calendar days. This is a separate period from the preliminary-report review.
Advisor role and the hearing
Section VI.4 requires a Hearing Advisor to ask your questions of other parties and witnesses. If you do not identify one in advance, the university will appoint one, who need not be an attorney. An accompanying non-hearing advisor cannot question others at the hearing.
The hearing itself, under Section VI.6, is conducted before a three-person panel. Parties do not question each other directly; instead, the Hearing Advisor or the panel poses the questions. The hearing can be held in person or remotely. Section VIII uses a different questioning process that allows parties to submit questions to the chair. Do not assume that rule applies to a Section VI case.
Decision, sanctions, and supportive measures
The panel applies a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard to decide responsibility and to propose a sanction. Under UA-03 Section VI, the final sanction decision rests with the Sanctioning Official, not the panel itself. IU’s Stop Sexual Violence page on reports against students describes the panel as determining sanctions, so check your notice or ask the Title IX office who makes the sanction decision in your case. Possible sanctions listed in UA-03 range from a warning, counseling, or training, through probation, suspension, and permanent expulsion. A preliminary investigation report is not a finding of responsibility. The panel makes that determination after the hearing.
Appeals: two paths with different triggers
UA-03 has separate appeal windows depending on what is being appealed. Do not treat them as the same deadline.
- Responsibility appeal (Section VI.8): A written appeal of a responsibility finding must go to the campus Student Affairs official or designee no later than 10 calendar days after the written hearing decision is sent. The other party then has 5 calendar days after being notified of the appeal to respond. Grounds include a procedural irregularity that affected the outcome, new evidence that was not reasonably available earlier, a conflict of interest or bias that affected the outcome, or a sanction disproportionate to the finding.
- Title IX dismissal appeal (Section V): If a formal complaint is dismissed under the Title IX screening step, the appeal of that dismissal must be filed within 10 calendar days after the dismissal notice. Section V says "10 days," and UA-03 defines unqualified days as calendar days. This period starts from the dismissal notice, not the hearing decision.
These appeal paths start with different events. IU’s Stop Sexual Violence page on reports against students says either party may appeal "within 10 days of written notice," without naming a day unit. The deadlines above come from the UA-03 sections named. Confirm which appeal applies to your situation, use the deadline and recipient in your written notice, and confirm them with the Title IX office.
Frequently asked questions
Does the same policy apply to every case at IU Indianapolis?
Not necessarily. UA-03 has a March 1, 2015 effective date and a June 26, 2025 review/update date, but which version governs your case depends on your notice and the facts, not simply on today’s date.
What is the difference between Section VI and Section VIII?
Section VI is the student Title IX route. A matter outside that scope may proceed under Section VIII’s student university sexual misconduct route or another applicable procedure. They use different hearing questioning procedures.
How long do I have to respond to the investigation report?
Section VI.3 gives 10 calendar days from receipt of the Preliminary Investigation Report and Investigation File to submit added or clarifying information to the investigator.
Will I automatically be suspended while the case is pending?
No. Supportive measures are available regardless of a formal complaint. Under UA-03, interim suspension may be considered after a formal complaint and investigation, with campus procedures and an individualized assessment for Title IX removal.
Who decides my appeal, and how much time do I have?
Under UA-03 Section VI.8, a responsibility appeal goes to the campus Student Affairs official or designee within 10 calendar days after the written hearing decision is sent. Under Section V, a Title IX dismissal appeal instead runs within 10 days of the dismissal notice, and UA-03 counts unqualified days as calendar days. IU’s Stop Sexual Violence page on reports against students says "within 10 days of written notice" without naming a unit. Use the deadline and recipient in your own notice and confirm them with the Title IX office.
Can I bring my own advisor to the hearing?
Yes, you may identify your own advisor. If you do not, the university appoints one, though that person is not necessarily an attorney. Your Hearing Advisor may question the other party and witnesses on your behalf. The panel may also ask questions; you and an accompanying non-hearing advisor do not question others directly.
More guides for Indiana schools: Indiana Title IX lawyer.
Disclaimer
This page is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Indiana University Indianapolis or Indiana University. Procedures, deadlines, and contacts change; always confirm current requirements directly from your written notice and the official sources linked below before taking any action. If you have received a notice, do not delay in responding to it or in seeking your own qualified advisor or attorney.
For questions about your situation, you can reach out through our contact page.
Sources
- IU’s transition FAQ
- IU Indianapolis policy index
- UA-03, Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct
- IU Indianapolis Community Standards
- Personal-misconduct procedures, Article XI
- IU Indianapolis sexual-misconduct page
- IU Office of Civil Rights Compliance, Indianapolis office
- Campus reporting guide
