If you are looking for a Kansas State University Title IX lawyer after receiving notice of a discrimination, sexual-harassment, or sexual-misconduct allegation, start with the notice and the policy it names. This page explains, in plain terms, how K-State’s process is generally structured. It is general educational information, not legal advice, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Kansas State University.
Which Policy Version Applies
Kansas State University handles these allegations under Policy and Procedures Manual Chapter 3010, which is the policy linked directly by the K-State Civil Rights & Title IX office. The PPM index states that its online chapters are the most current version available, but PPM 3010 itself shows a heading listing historical revisions through August 2020 alongside a footer marked as updated in February 2026.
Those date labels do not establish which version of Chapter 3010 governs an older allegation. The version that applies to you can depend on the date of the incident and the date of your notice; check the policy named in your notice and confirm with the Title IX office. Ask the Civil Rights & Title IX office, in writing, which version applies to the conduct and written charge in your matter. Keep a copy of that answer.
Report Versus Formal Complaint, and Which Track Applies
PPM 3010 distinguishes between a Title IX Sexual Harassment track, described in Step 7(a), and a separate non-Title-IX track, described in Step 7(b). These two tracks have different hearing formats and different appeal routes under Steps 8(a) and 8(b). A student should confirm early, in writing, which track applies to the specific allegation, since the rest of the process depends on that answer.
It also matters that a dismissal of a matter from the Title IX track does not necessarily end all university review. The current Student Code of Conduct states that allegations falling within PPM 3010 are first referred to Civil Rights & Title IX, and that other code-based allegations connected to the same conduct may later be reviewed separately under the Code. A student should not assume that a Title IX dismissal closes the matter entirely.
The student Title IX flowchart published by the university is a helpful overview, but it is not the controlling procedural text. When in doubt, PPM 3010 itself, and written confirmation from the office, control.
Early Steps After Receiving Notice
If a student receives notice of an allegation, complaint, or charge, the following steps are worth taking right away:
- Save the notice itself and record the exact date it was received.
- Identify the specific charge, the alleged incident date, and which policy version and Step 7(a) or 7(b) track the office says applies.
- Preserve any relevant messages, documents, or records connected to the allegation, without altering them.
- Ask the Title IX office, in writing, for the exact calendar dates tied to each deadline in the student’s own case rather than estimating from the policy text.
- Consider consulting with an advisor early in the process, since an advisor’s role becomes especially important at the evidence and hearing stages.
- Read every notice from the investigation, hearing, and appeal stages carefully and promptly. Do not set a notice aside or delay responding once a deadline period has begun.
The Respondent’s Written Response (Step 6)
Under PPM 3010 Step 6, the Administrative Review Team (ART) meets with the respondent and provides a copy of the formal complaint. The respondent has ten calendar days to provide an oral or written response. The policy ties this period to that meeting and receipt of the complaint, not to the alleged incident date or an earlier report. Confirm the actual due date with the office.
Investigation and Evidence Review (Step 7(a))
In the Title IX Sexual Harassment track, Step 7(a) gives parties and their advisors access to directly related evidence gathered during the investigation. The parties then have 10 days to submit a written response to that evidence before the investigation report is finalized. PPM 3010 does not specify whether this 10-day period is measured in business days or calendar days, so a student should ask the office to state the exact due date in writing.
This evidence-response deadline is separate from the Step 6 response deadline described above. They are triggered by different events and should not be treated as the same clock.
Once the investigation report is finalized, it is sent to the parties at least 10 days before the scheduled live hearing. This is a third, separate timing rule, tied to the hearing date rather than to any earlier step. Again, the policy text does not state whether this is calendar or business days, so the actual dates should come directly from the office. The student Title IX flowchart describes this stage differently: it says comments are required within 10 days of receiving the report, and that parties receive the hearing information approximately 10 days before the hearing. Use the dates in your own notice and confirm them with the office.
Advisor’s Role and the Live Hearing
At the Step 7(a) live hearing, each party’s advisor is the one who asks relevant questions of the other party and of witnesses. PPM 3010 defines the advisor as the person who conducts cross-examination for the party at the hearing. The student Title IX flowchart says that both parties and advisors can ask questions of each other and witnesses, so confirm the hearing procedures with the office. If a party does not have an advisor of their own, K-State will provide one for the purpose of conducting this questioning. The hearing may take place in person or remotely, depending on how the university schedules it.
The Hearing Officer decides responsibility using the preponderance-of-the-evidence standard and issues a written determination afterward. This hearing structure applies specifically to the Title IX Step 7(a) track. It is not the same procedure used in the non-Title-IX Step 7(b) route, which follows a different process under PPM 3010.
Supportive Measures
Supportive measures may be available to a student while a case is pending, separate from the investigation and hearing. Ask the Civil Rights & Title IX office what is available in your situation and how to request it.
Appeals (Step 8(a))
Under the Title IX Step 8(a) appeal process, either party may submit a written appeal of a Title IX dismissal or a Hearing Officer’s determination. This appeal must go to the Title IX Coordinator within 10 days following receipt of the applicable decision. The non-appealing party then has 10 days after notice of the appeal to submit a written response.
These two ten-day periods are separate from one another and separate from the earlier Step 6 and Step 7(a) deadlines described above. Neither period is stated in the policy as business or calendar days. A student should not calculate a personal deadline independently, and should not combine this appeal rule with the different appeal process described in Step 8(b) for non-Title-IX matters. For a student appeal, the decision is made by the Vice President for Academic Success and Student Affairs or a designee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Title IX dismissal end the case entirely?
Not necessarily. The Student Code of Conduct indicates that other code-based allegations connected to the same conduct may still be reviewed separately after a Title IX referral or dismissal.
How do I know if my case falls under Step 7(a) or Step 7(b)?
Ask the Civil Rights & Title IX office directly and get the answer in writing, since the hearing format and appeal route differ between the two tracks.
Are the 10-day periods calendar days or business days?
Step 6 explicitly says ten calendar days for the respondent’s initial response. Step 7(a)’s evidence-response and report timing and Step 8(a)’s appeal periods say only “days.” Ask the office for each exact due date.
Can I have someone ask questions for me at the hearing?
Yes. Under Step 7(a), your advisor asks questions of the other party and witnesses. If you do not have an advisor, K-State provides one for that purpose.
What standard decides responsibility?
The Hearing Officer applies the preponderance-of-the-evidence standard in the Title IX Step 7(a) hearing.
Who decides a student’s appeal?
The Vice President for Academic Success and Student Affairs, or a designee, decides a student appeal under Step 8(a).
More guides for Kansas schools: Kansas Title IX lawyer.
Disclaimer
This page provides general educational information about publicly available Kansas State University policy language. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Kansas State University. Procedures, deadlines, and policy versions can change. Anyone facing an allegation should confirm the applicable policy and dates directly with the K-State Civil Rights & Title IX office and may wish to speak with an advisor or attorney. If you want to discuss your options, visit our contact page.
