If you are looking for an Old Dominion University Title IX lawyer after receiving notice of a sexual harassment or sexual misconduct allegation, start with the notice you received. This page walks through how ODU’s policy generally works, based on the university’s published materials. It is general educational information only. It is not legal advice, and it is not affiliated with or endorsed by Old Dominion University.
Which Policy Version Applies
ODU handles these allegations under Policy 1008. The current Policy 1008 web page lists a March 3, 2022 revision date. The linked official PDF prints March 2, 2022 at the top. The web rendition and linked PDF remain live on ODU’s site, and this page does not resolve why their revision dates differ.
Because the correct version and procedure affect deadlines and rights, a student should not assume which version applies. Ask the ODU Title IX office directly to confirm, in writing, which version of Policy 1008 governs your matter and which procedure track applies to your notice. 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.
Report vs. Formal Complaint
A report to ODU is not automatically a formal complaint, and a formal complaint does not automatically lead to a hearing. Policy 1008 gives the Title IX Coordinator responsibility for assessing whether an allegation meets the criteria for Title IX jurisdiction, including whether it connects to ODU’s education program and whether it occurred in the United States.
Policy 1008 sets out two tracks:
- Procedure A applies to allegations that meet Title IX’s specific jurisdictional criteria.
- Procedure B applies to other covered sexual misconduct that does not meet those criteria.
If an allegation is dismissed under Procedure A, that dismissal is not a finding on responsibility. A dismissed Procedure A matter can be referred for review under Procedure B or another applicable university process. Not every report becomes a formal complaint, and not every formal complaint proceeds to a hearing.
Early Steps After You Receive Notice
If you have received any written notice from ODU regarding an allegation, do not set it aside. Early steps that are generally useful include:
- Keep the notice and record the date you received it.
- Identify the exact charge, whether your matter is proceeding under Procedure A or Procedure B, and which policy version ODU is applying.
- Ask the Title IX office in writing to confirm all applicable deadlines for your specific case.
- Begin preserving evidence relevant to the allegation, such as messages, documents, and other records, and note possible witnesses.
- Consider identifying an advisor early in the process.
ODU’s own respondent resources page provides background information for students in your position, though it does not replace the specific requirements of Policy 1008 itself.
Investigation and Evidence
Under Procedure A, both parties have 10 days to respond in writing to directly related evidence before the investigation report is completed. Policy 1008 defines a day as Monday through Friday, excluding any day when the University is closed, unless otherwise specified. Ask ODU to give you the actual response date in writing.
Under both Procedure A and Procedure B, ODU provides the investigation report at least 10 days before any hearing. This is the minimum lead time before a hearing. Each party also has 10 days after the report is issued to submit a written response. The hearing lead time and the response period are separate rules. These clauses do not specify otherwise, so the policy’s definition of a day applies: Monday through Friday, excluding any day when the University is closed.
Confirm each date with the Title IX office using the notices for your case rather than estimating it from the policy alone.
Advisors and the Hearing
At a Procedure A live hearing, advisors for each party conduct cross-examination of the other party and of witnesses. If a party does not have an advisor present at the hearing, ODU will provide one without fee for that specific purpose. These cross-examination rules are specific to Procedure A hearings.
Procedure B hearings work differently. Like Procedure A hearings, they may be conducted in person or by video. Advisors in a Procedure B hearing may advise the party they support, but they are not permitted to address other participants directly. If your matter is proceeding under Procedure B, do not assume the same cross-examination structure used in Procedure A applies to your hearing.
Supportive Measures
Separate from the investigation and hearing process, students involved in a Title IX or sexual misconduct matter may be eligible for supportive measures while the process is ongoing. Because the scope and availability of these measures depend on your individual circumstances and the applicable procedure, ask the Title IX office directly what may be available to you and how to request it.
Appeals
Policy 1008 provides more than one appeal path, and it is important not to confuse them.
Appeal of a responsibility determination: Either party may appeal a hearing’s responsibility determination in writing. The policy allows 15 calendar days for this appeal. For a student respondent, this appeal goes to the Vice President for Student & Campus Life (or designee). The 15-calendar-day period runs from the date the hearing decision letter was sent, not from the date you happen to read it.
Appeal of a dismissal: A dismissal under the policy has its own, separate appeal path. This appeal also allows 15 calendar days, but the trigger is different: it runs from the date of the dismissal itself. Dismissal appeals go in writing to the Vice President for Talent Management and Culture.
Because these two appeal routes have different recipients and different triggering events, do not assume one applies to the other, and do not calculate your own deadline without your actual decision letter or dismissal notice in hand along with confirmation of which policy version governs your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a report against me automatically mean there will be a hearing?
No. A report, formal complaint, and hearing are separate stages. The Title IX Coordinator assesses the allegation and the applicable procedure before a hearing is considered.
Why do ODU’s policy web page and PDF show different dates?
The web page lists March 3, 2022, while the linked PDF prints March 2, 2022. This page cannot determine why the dates differ or whether they indicate separate versions. Ask the Title IX office to confirm in writing which policy text governs your notice.
How many days do I have to respond to the investigation report?
Policy 1008 states 10 days after the report is issued, separate from the 10-day period tied to directly related evidence before the report is completed. Policy 1008 defines a day as Monday through Friday, excluding any day when the University is closed, unless otherwise specified, so confirm the exact date with the Title IX office.
What if my hearing is under Procedure B instead of Procedure A?
Procedure B hearings may be in person or by video. Advisors may advise their own party but may not speak to other hearing participants as Procedure A advisors do during cross-examination.
How long do I have to appeal a decision or a dismissal?
Both appeal types allow 15 calendar days, but the trigger dates differ. A responsibility appeal runs from when the decision letter was sent, while a dismissal appeal runs from the date of dismissal. They go to different university officials.
Can I get help from an advisor during this process?
Yes. You may identify your own advisor, and for Procedure A hearings, ODU will provide one without fee if you do not have one present.
Next Step
If you have received a notice from ODU and want to talk through your options, you can contact us as a voluntary next step. This is general information only, and speaking with someone does not create any obligation.
More guides for Virginia schools: Virginia Title IX lawyer.
Disclaimer
This page is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or reviewed by Old Dominion University. Policy details, deadlines, and procedures change; always confirm current requirements directly with ODU’s Title IX office and your own notice documents.
