A Purdue Title IX lawyer can help you confirm your case runs under the Title IX Harassment procedures, distinguish evidence delivery dates from response deadlines, and prepare Hearing Advisor led cross examination for a live virtual hearing.
Purdue resolves Title IX Harassment reports under a dedicated procedure tied to its Title IX Harassment policy, section III.C.4. The procedure document was revised June 30, 2025. Other discrimination and harassment matters follow a separate non-Title IX procedure that expressly routes Title IX Harassment here instead. That sorting step controls which definitions, which investigator assignment, and which decision path apply, so confirm your notice cites the Title IX track before relying on any deadline in this guide. Background on coverage is at what is Title IX.
Intake: report, supportive measures, and dismissal screening in West Lafayette
After a Title IX Harassment report arrives, the university takes protective steps for the complainant, which may include interim steps or supportive measures before or after a formal complaint is filed, or where none is filed. Supportive measures are non-disciplinary and non-punitive services offered as appropriate and reasonably available without fee to either side, before or after filing or with no complaint.
Listed examples include counseling, deadline extensions and other course adjustments, work or class schedule changes, campus escort services, mutual contact restrictions, work or housing changes, leaves of absence, and added security and monitoring of parts of campus. The Title IX Coordinator arranges them, and they stay confidential where that does not block delivery.
The Coordinator screens every formal complaint for mandatory dismissal, including whether the alleged facts would count as Title IX Harassment and whether they fall inside university jurisdiction, with written notice to both sides within fourteen days of receipt for complaints dismissed at intake. Dismissal can also come later where the complainant withdraws in writing, the respondent leaves the university, or evidence can no longer support a decision. A dismissed complaint may still proceed under other university policies.
A dismissal may be appealed under the appeal section below. Practical first steps are at after you have been accused.
Investigation: evidence delivery and response deadlines
At least twenty days before a hearing, the Coordinator makes sure both sides and their Hearing Advisors receive all evidence gathered in investigation that directly relates to the allegations, including inculpatory and exculpatory material regardless of whether anyone plans to present it at the hearing, along with the identities of the parties and witnesses. Both sides then have at least ten days to submit a written response for the investigator to consider before completing the report. Day counts in this procedure mean calendar days.
The investigator then prepares a fair summary report of the relevant evidence at least ten days before the hearing and sends it to both sides and their Hearing Advisors, the Coordinator, and the Hearing Officer for review. Either side may submit a written response to the Hearing Officer at or before the hearing. Use the response period of at least ten calendar days to flag missing messages and misidentified witnesses, then use the report response to correct summaries with page tied cites. How investigators build records is at Title IX investigation.
Hearing and advisor: Hearing Officer hearing with Hearing Advisor cross examination
The Hearing Officer runs the hearing and decides responsibility and any sanctions, and cannot be the investigator or the Coordinator in the same case. At least ten days after the report is provided, the Hearing Officer convenes a live hearing with all participants appearing virtually through technology that lets everyone see and hear each other at the same time. The Hearing Officer gives written notice of the date, time, and manner of the hearing. The proceeding is recorded or transcribed and made available to the sides on request.
Cross examination belongs to Hearing Advisors. Each side selects a Hearing Advisor to accompany them and question witnesses, and the same person may also serve as the general Advisor. Where a side has no Hearing Advisor, the university provides one free of charge who will be a non attorney. Advisors may attend meetings through the process but may not speak for a party or act as counsel except in the Hearing Advisor role. Hearing format is at how do Title IX hearings work.
Defense planning notes are at title-ix-defense-strategies.
Sanctions and appeal
Within fourteen days after the hearing, the Hearing Officer issues a written determination with the policy sections at issue, the procedural steps taken, the factual findings, the application of the policy to the facts, the responsibility result for each allegation, any sanctions and remedies, and the appeal route. Student sanctions follow the Regulations Governing Student Conduct and include warnings, restrictions, probation, probated suspension, suspension, degree deferral, and expulsion, plus employment and property access limits.
The Dean of Students imposes student sanctions, which must fit the violation and stay proportionate. Missing a sanction deadline can bring added sanctions up to expulsion. Related consequences are at consequences of a Title IX violation.
One appeal route covers dismissals, responsibility findings, and sanctions. Either side may appeal to the Vice President for Ethics and Compliance in writing with all supporting materials, filed in person, by courier, or by postal or electronic mail within ten days after the decision notice issues. A decision becomes final if it is not appealed within that period. The Vice President notifies the other side with a copy.
Each party may submit a written response with supporting materials within ten calendar days after notification of the appeal. Permitted grounds are limited to procedural irregularity that affected the outcome, new evidence not reasonably available at the time of the responsibility or dismissal decision that could affect the outcome, and conflict of interest or bias by the Coordinator, investigators, Hearing Officer, or Vice President affecting the outcome. Appeals normally receive a decision within thirty days, and that decision is the final university action.
Appeal mechanics are at title-IX appeals.
Calendar the ten day clock from the issuance date on your notice, confirm the filing method and recipient, and keep proof of timely submission.
Speak with a Purdue Title IX lawyer
A Purdue Title IX defense requires careful evidence review, preparation for advisor questioning, and attention to the applicable appeal deadline. Contact us to discuss your notice and next steps.
Respondent checklist
- Confirm your notice cites the Title IX Harassment track and section III.C.4
- Preserve messages, location records, photos, and witness contacts without contacting the other party
- Request supportive measures in writing and calendar any dismissal notice for appeal
- Check when the evidence was delivered and use the response period of at least ten calendar days to submit corrections tied to exhibits
- Confirm the report date and the hearing date, at least ten days apart
- Name a Hearing Advisor early and prepare cross examination tied to the file
- Calendar the ten day appeal clock to the Vice President for Ethics and Compliance on a permitted ground
FAQ
Which Purdue policy applies to me?
Title IX Harassment matters proceed under the Title IX Harassment procedures tied to policy section III.C.4. Other discrimination matters use the separate non-Title IX procedure. Check the policy cited in your notice and ask the Coordinator to confirm the applicable procedure.
How do I see the evidence?
You and your Hearing Advisor receive all directly related evidence at least twenty days before the hearing with at least ten days to respond, then the completed report at least ten days before the hearing.
Will there be a hearing?
If the formal process proceeds to a hearing, it is held live and virtually, at least ten calendar days after the report is provided. Dismissal or an agreed informal resolution may end the matter earlier.
Can I bring a lawyer?
You may choose any Advisor and Hearing Advisor, attorney or not. Where you have no Hearing Advisor, the university provides a non attorney free of charge for cross examination.
What sanctions apply?
Student sanctions follow the conduct regulations from warnings through expulsion plus access limits, set proportionately after the hearing determination.
How do I appeal?
File in writing with all materials to the Vice President for Ethics and Compliance within ten days after the decision notice, stating one of the three permitted grounds. Each party may respond within ten calendar days of notification of the appeal.
Sources (checked 2026-09-25)
- Procedures for Resolving Complaints of Title IX Harassment: scope, evidence windows, hearing, sanctions, appeal
- Policies and Procedures Hub: Title IX policy and procedure linkage
- Procedures for Resolving Complaints of Discrimination and Harassment: non-Title IX track scope and routing contrast
More guides for Indiana schools: Indiana Title IX lawyer.
Disclaimer
This page is general information only, not legal advice, and reading it creates no attorney-client relationship. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Purdue University. Policies change; confirm the current procedure text before acting.
