If you are looking for a Miami University Ohio Title IX lawyer after being named in a sexual misconduct report, first identify the procedure in your written notice. This page explains the general structure of Miami’s student protocol and Code. It does not replace advice about your own case.
Which Policy Version Applies to You
Miami University’s Sexual Misconduct Protocol for Students governs both Title IX and non-Title IX sexual misconduct matters involving student respondents. The page currently shows a June 29, 2026 update date, but its substantive revision history stops in September 2023, and an older "next review" field is still listed. That timestamp alone does not confirm a substantive change to the protocol, and it does not tell you whether the current version applies to an older incident.
Separately, Miami’s Student Code of Conduct policy page shows a July 2026 revision and links to the published 2026–27 Code. Section Five of that Code embeds the student protocol. Which version applies depends on your notice and the date of the alleged incident. Confirm the version and the process named in your written charge with the Title IX Office. A webpage update stamp alone does not settle those questions.
Report vs. Formal Complaint
The protocol’s Introduction and §§I.D, X–XI draw a line between a report (information brought to the university’s attention) and a formal complaint (the document requesting that the university investigate). A formal complaint may be filed by the complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator. After a formal complaint, the Title IX Coordinator reviews whether to start investigative resolution or, if requested and approved, the voluntary adaptable-resolution process.
The protocol also separates Title IX sexual misconduct from non-Title IX sexual misconduct, and student respondents from employee respondents. Section II sets out the jurisdictional test for Title IX coverage, which looks at U.S. location, connection to an education program or activity, and participation requirements. Under the 2026–27 Code §2.2.1, sexual misconduct reports go first to Title IX/Title VI review; matters found to fall outside Title IX are transferred back to the Office of Community Standards. The protocol itself also describes non-Title IX sexual misconduct and a hearing path. These documents do not spell out every handoff, so ask which policy and process are named in your written charge before assuming a route.
Adaptable resolution is a voluntary path described in protocol Section XV. It begins at the complainant’s request after a formal complaint, requires both parties’ agreement and Title IX Coordinator approval, and may be ended before an agreement is signed.
Early Steps: Notice and Supportive Measures
Once a formal complaint is filed, protocol §XI.B requires the university to send a written Notice of Allegations. That notice must include the charges, the policy sections involved, possible sanctions, your rights to an advisor and to review evidence, information about the initial interview, and the identity of the assigned investigator.
If you believe the assigned investigator has a conflict of interest or bias, §XI.C allows you to request a replacement, but this request must be submitted within three university business days of receiving the Notice of Allegations. This is not the deadline to respond to the allegations themselves; the protocol does not set one universal answer deadline, so read your notice carefully for case-specific instructions.
Separately, Section VI addresses supportive measures, such as no-contact directives or academic adjustments that can be requested regardless of which way the case ultimately proceeds. Supportive measures are not findings of responsibility and are not disciplinary.
If you face an emergency removal from university programs or activities before a hearing, Appendix B says to request a review within three university business days of the emergency-removal notice. An emergency removal is not itself a finding of responsibility.
Investigation and Evidence
During the investigation, the assigned investigator gathers evidence and produces a draft investigation report. Under §XI.F, the report is sent to both parties and their advisors, if any, and each party has at least ten university business days to submit a written response. Miami’s investigation overview summarizes this stage, but the protocol’s own text controls the actual timing.
If the university issues a mandatory Title IX dismissal of the complaint, either party may appeal that dismissal in writing to the Dean of Students or designee. Under §XI.D, this appeal must be filed within five university business days of the dismissal. The text says "of the dismissal" without specifying receipt of a notice as the trigger. The protocol says the allegations may proceed as non-Title IX sexual misconduct or under the Code, while the Code describes a transfer back to Community Standards for review. Confirm the process named in the university’s written charge rather than assuming which one follows.
Advisor and Hearing
You are entitled to an advisor of your choice throughout this process, including a hearing. Under §§XIV.E–H, your advisor may lead questioning during the hearing. If you do not have an advisor, the university will provide one for the purpose of cross-examination.
The university must send a Notice of Hearing at least ten university business days before the hearing date, per §XIV.A. If you want to request replacement of a hearing board member, §XIV.B says to act within three university business days of the Notice of Hearing. That text does not expressly say "receipt," unlike the investigator-bias rule, which starts on receipt of the Notice of Allegations. Check the actual hearing notice for the due date rather than computing one here.
Miami’s hearings and appeals overview provides a general summary of this stage, but the protocol sections above set the actual clocks.
Appeals After a Hearing Outcome
If you receive a hearing outcome you want to appeal, §XIV.P requires a written appeal to the Vice President of Student Life within five university business days of receipt of the hearing outcome. This is a separate deadline from the dismissal appeal described above. Once an appeal is filed, the other party has five university business days after delivery of the appeal notice to respond.
This protocol appeal process is distinct from the ordinary Code §2.4.1 conduct appeal, which goes to the Dean of Students or designee and runs on a different trigger. Because the Code and protocol leave the non-Title IX handoff partly unexplained, confirm which appeal path and deadline apply from the written charge and hearing outcome, and check them with the Title IX Office. Do not substitute the Code’s general appeal deadline for §XIV.P when the protocol governs.
Separately, §XIV.Q says investigation, hearing, and resolution generally take up to 120 university business days, with phase estimates and allowances for good-cause delays. This is an institutional target, not a deadline for anything you must file or a guaranteed completion date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which version of the policy applies to my case?
Check the written Notice of Allegations and confirm the governing version with the Title IX Office, especially for an older incident. Webpage update dates alone do not establish which version governs.
What is the difference between a report and a formal complaint?
A report brings information to the university. A formal complaint, filed by the complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator, requests an investigation. The protocol also permits voluntary adaptable resolution after a formal complaint if its conditions are met.
How much time do I have to respond to a draft investigation report?
Both parties get at least ten university business days after the draft report is sent, under §XI.F.
Can I bring a lawyer as my advisor?
The protocol allows an advisor of your choice, and §§XIV.E–H permit advisor-led questioning at the hearing. The document does not state that a lawyer is required.
What if I disagree with the hearing outcome?
You may appeal in writing to the Vice President of Student Life within five university business days of receiving the hearing outcome, under §XIV.P.
What happens if I face an emergency removal before a hearing?
Under Appendix B, request a review within three university business days of the emergency-removal notice. That removal is not a finding of responsibility.
More guides for Ohio schools: Ohio Title IX lawyer.
Disclaimer
This page is general educational information about publicly available Miami University policy documents. It is not legal advice, and it is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or reviewed by Miami University. Deadlines and procedures described here are summarized from official sources as of the observed date above; always confirm current requirements against your own written notices and the official protocol text. If you have received a notice from Miami University, read it promptly and consider speaking with an attorney about your specific deadlines.
