If you are looking for a Sam Houston State University Title IX lawyer after receiving a notice that you are accused of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment, first read that notice carefully and note the date you received it. Which rules apply and how much time you have to respond depend on details in that written notice.
This page is general educational information. It is not legal advice, and it does not create an attorney-client relationship. This firm is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or speaking for Sam Houston State University. Nothing here guarantees an outcome or timeline in a specific case.
Which Policy Applies to You
SHSU’s current Title IX policy hub links the Texas State University System (TSUS) Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures, adopted August 12, 2022. The TSUS Title IX hub also references it and describes it as updated August 2022. The official PDF linked there has "2025" in its filename, but its extracted text is identical to the SHSU-linked August 2022 PDF. Do not assume a later filename means a newer policy revision.
Section 1.4 of the policy contains an important rule: which version of the policy applies can depend on the date of the alleged conduct. The current policy covers Title IX Sexual Harassment no matter when it happened or was reported. Non-Title IX sexual misconduct that happened before this policy took effect is governed by the policy in effect when it happened, so an earlier version may govern that part of your case. This is not something to guess about. Ask the Title IX Coordinator directly which version applies to your situation and get the answer in writing if possible.
Report vs. Formal Complaint, and Which "Route" Applies
Not every report becomes a formal Title IX case. The Title IX Coordinator decides whether an allegation is classified as Title IX Sexual Harassment (which triggers the formal Title IX grievance process) or as non-Title IX Sexual Misconduct (which follows a separate track). SHSU’s grievance process page explains that these two paths are handled separately.
If a Title IX complaint is dismissed, that does not necessarily end the matter. The allegation may be assessed under a different misconduct route. The current Student Code of Conduct page links a Code PDF for the 2026 to 2027 academic year, and section 3.01 of that PDF directs Title IX allegations to the specialized Title IX office. The Code page’s description still refers to 2025 to 2026, so check the actual linked PDF and your case notice if the Code is cited.
Early Steps to Take
Once you have a notice in hand:
- Keep the notice itself, along with the date you received it and the date it was sent, if different.
- Preserve any texts, emails, social media messages, or other records related to the allegation. Do not delete anything, even if you think it looks bad.
- Contact the Title IX Coordinator and ask, in writing, which route your case is on (Title IX or non-Title IX) and which policy version applies.
- Ask about supportive measures if you need adjustments to coursework, housing, or contact restrictions while the matter is pending.
- Ask about your advisor options. In the usual Title IX live-hearing route, an advisor conducts questioning on your behalf; the format may differ for the programs noted below.
- Do not ignore any deadline stated in your notice. Read every notice as soon as you receive it, and act promptly.
Investigation, Evidence Review, and Presumption of Non-Responsibility
Under the TSUS policy, a respondent is presumed not responsible unless and until a determination is made, and the standard used to decide responsibility is preponderance of the evidence, meaning "more likely than not."
The evidence review period differs depending on which process applies to you:
- Title IX route: Section 7.7.6.1 gives each party 10 calendar days from notification to review and respond to the evidence gathered in the investigation.
- Non-Title IX route: Section 8.3.6.1 gives a separate 10-calendar-day period to review and respond to evidence under that process.
These are two different deadlines tied to two different processes. Do not assume they are the same window, and check your own notice to confirm which one applies to you.
Section 3.4 of the policy also sets a general target of 120 calendar days to resolve a case, not counting appeals. This is an internal administrative target for the university, not a deadline for you to respond to anything, and it can be extended.
Hearing and Advisor-Led Questioning
Section 7.9 requires that the Notice of Hearing and the Investigative Report be provided at least 10 calendar days before the scheduled hearing in the Title IX process.
Section 7.11 generally provides for a live hearing where advisors, not the parties themselves, ask questions of the other party and witnesses. If you do not have an advisor for this purpose, the university will provide one for that limited role. However, this live-hearing format does not apply to every SHSU program: it excludes the College of Osteopathic Medicine, SHSU Physicians, and component charter schools. If you are affiliated with one of these programs, check your notice and ask the Title IX office how your hearing will be conducted before assuming the standard format applies.
For the non-Title IX route, section 8.8.1 gives a student party seven calendar days to request a hearing in writing from the Title IX Coordinator. The exact starting point for that seven-day period is not stated clearly in the policy text itself, so do not guess. Read your own finding or sanction notice immediately and confirm the trigger date with the Title IX Coordinator.
Supportive Measures
Supportive measures may be available to either party during the process, such as no-contact directives, academic adjustments, or housing changes. These are not automatic and not guaranteed in any particular case. If you believe you need a supportive measure, ask the Title IX Coordinator directly and explain what you need.
Appeals
Appeal rights and deadlines also differ by route, and by what is being appealed:
- Title IX route: Section 7.21.2 allows a written appeal of a dismissal or a decision-maker’s determination, filed within 10 calendar days of issuance of the decision, to the appropriate appellate authority.
- Non-Title IX route: Section 9.3.1 provides a separate written appeal to the Chief Student Affairs Officer or designee, within five calendar days of the hearing decision.
Do not combine or substitute one appeal window for the other. They apply to different processes and different decisions. Student sanctions in the non-Title IX process are assigned by the Dean of Students under section 8.7.1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I automatically get a live hearing?
Do not assume a hearing format from the allegation alone. Section 7.11 describes a live hearing for the usual Title IX route, but excludes the College of Osteopathic Medicine, SHSU Physicians, and component charter schools. Confirm your route and format with the Title IX office and case notice.
Is the 120-day timeline something I need to respond to?
No. Section 3.4’s 120-calendar-day target is an internal case-resolution goal for the university, excluding appeals, and it can be extended. It is not a deadline for any action by you.
What if I’m not sure whether my case is Title IX or non-Title IX?
Ask the Title IX Coordinator directly and ask for the classification and the applicable policy version in writing. This determines which evidence-review and appeal deadlines apply to you.
Can I bring my own advisor to the hearing?
Yes. If you do not have one for the questioning role required in the Title IX hearing, the university will provide one for that limited purpose under section 7.11.
What if the Student Code applies instead of the Title IX policy?
Check the actual linked Code PDF, not just the Student Code page description, since the page and PDF have shown a year mismatch. Section 3.01 sends Title IX allegations to the specialized office rather than ordinary conduct channels.
What should I do if I need advice after receiving a notice?
Read the notice promptly and note its stated deadlines. Ask the Title IX office how to request clarification or an extension if needed.
Disclaimer
This page is for general educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. This firm is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of Sam Houston State University or the Texas State University System. Always confirm current deadlines, policy versions, and process details directly with the SHSU Title IX Coordinator and your own written notice.
If you would like to discuss your situation, you can reach out through our contact page.
Sources
- SHSU Title IX Policy Hub
- TSUS Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures (PDF, adopted August 12, 2022)
- TSUS Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Hub
- TSUS Sexual Misconduct Policy PDF (alternate filename, same August 2022 text)
- SHSU Title IX Grievance Process
- SHSU Student Code of Conduct Page
- SHSU Student Code of Conduct PDF (2026-2027)
- SHSU Title IX Office
- Firm contact page
