Southeastern Louisiana Title IX Lawyer: A Student Respondent Guide

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Students who search for a Southeastern Louisiana Title IX lawyer usually have a notice in hand and a short clock running. This page explains, in general terms, how Southeastern Louisiana University (Southeastern) in Hammond handles a sexual misconduct or power-based violence complaint against a student under its posted documents. Your own notice, and the version of each document that applies to your case, control the actual steps and deadlines.

Which policy applies

Southeastern uses more than one document, and they do not always say the same thing.

  • The Power-Based Violence & Sexual Misconduct Policy (PDF) is the umbrella policy. Its header shows an effective date of April 28, 2015, a revision on March 8, 2022, and a review with no substantive changes on February 11, 2026. It covers power-based violence, which it defines as "any form of interpersonal violence intended to control or intimidate another person through the assertion of power over the person", and it includes a grievance procedure for student cases that fall outside Title IX.
  • The Title IX Grievance Procedures (PDF) are the companion document for conduct that meets the federal Title IX definition of sexual harassment. Effective January 26, 2021 and reviewed with no major changes on May 4, 2026, they are built on the 2020 federal Title IX regulations.
  • The 2026-2027 Student Code of Conduct, "Revised August 13, 2026," is run by the Office of Student Advocacy and Accountability (OSAA). An older Code PDF revised January 17, 2025 is still online and has different appeal timing.
  • The University of Louisiana System’s Sexual Misconduct/Power-Based Violence policy (S-II.XXI, effective August 1, 2022), linked from the UL System power-based violence page, says each report "must be investigated, addressed, and resolved by each institution under its respective policy and procedures" and that "Each institution’s policy must comply with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, this Policy and the Board of Regents Uniform Policy on Power-Based Violence and Sexual Misconduct." So a Southeastern case runs under Southeastern’s own documents, within the System’s framework.

Which document and which version apply to you depends on what is alleged, the date of the incident, and the date of your notice or formal complaint. The Code says its revisions "will be effective as of the date published." Ask the Title IX office in writing which documents and versions govern your case.

Title IX track or power-based violence track

After a report, the Title IX office makes an initial assessment of whether the conduct meets the federal definition and jurisdiction rules for Title IX sexual harassment. If it does, "the investigation will proceed pursuant to the Title IX Formal Grievance Procedures." If not, the policy’s own procedure applies to student respondents, and the case is referred to OSAA. The policy gives examples of conduct outside Title IX, "such as off-campus sexual misconduct or power-based violence alleged to have an on-campus effect or occurring during a study abroad program".

The 2026-2027 Code says conduct "falling outside Title IX jurisdiction may be addressed under the University’s Power-Based Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy, applicable Louisiana law, or the procedures established by this Code, as appropriate." It refers to a "Title IX Policy" for Title IX cases; the Title IX procedure document Southeastern posts is the Title IX Grievance Procedures. Your notice should name the process being used. If it does not, ask.

The UL System and Louisiana law

Southeastern belongs to the University of Louisiana System. The Code says the System’s Board of Supervisors "has delegated authority to the President of Southeastern Louisiana University to manage the day-to-day affairs of the institution, including the administration and enforcement of the Student Code of Conduct." Southeastern’s policy says it prohibits power-based violence in line with federal and state law, including Act 472 of the 2021 Regular Legislative Session of the Louisiana Legislature. The Board’s own rule on student appeals is covered under Appeals below.

Report vs. formal complaint

Anyone may report. Reports can go to the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Coordinator, to any Responsible Employee (who must pass them to the Title IX Coordinator), to University Police, or to OSAA, and anonymous online reports are accepted. The policy says Southeastern "will investigate all reports of power-based violence and sexual misconduct ("Reports") received by the Title IX Coordinator."

A formal complaint asks Southeastern to investigate and possibly decide the matter. Under the Title IX Grievance Procedures, it is a document filed by a complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator, and "The submission of a Formal Complaint and its receipt by the Title IX Coordinator triggers the Formal Grievance Process." For conduct inside Title IX, the procedures say no discipline can be imposed without a formal complaint, although supportive measures can still be offered. A third party may ask that a report be treated as a formal complaint, and the Title IX Coordinator may start one. If a complainant withdraws, the policy says the Title IX office "reserves the right to proceed with the complaint".

Early steps after notice

What happens first depends on the track.

Title IX track. Once a formal complaint is received, both parties get written notice of the process and of the allegations, "including sufficient details known at the time." The notice states that the respondent "is presumed not responsible for the alleged conduct and that a determination regarding responsibility is only made at the conclusion of the grievance process," and that "The parties may have an advisor of their choice, who may be, but is not required to be, an attorney." The procedures say "The investigation should begin within five working days of the notice to the Respondent." That is a school target, not a deadline for you. Delays for good cause must be explained in writing with the new timeframe.

Power-based violence track (outside Title IX). The respondent is notified in writing and told they may bring an advisor to any meeting or interview. The policy then says: "Within seven (7) business days of receiving notice of the Complaint, the Respondent must arrange to meet with the Title IX Office." After that meeting, "the case will be referred to the Office of Student Advocacy and Accountability." You may accept responsibility, in which case a sanction is decided, or dispute the allegations, in which case the matter goes to investigation.

Code notices. Under the 2026-2027 Code, the Notice of Charges comes "as soon as practicable and, when required by applicable Louisiana law, no later than fourteen (14) business days after the University receives sufficient credible information to initiate formal disciplinary proceedings." Notices go to your University email. "Electronic notice is considered delivered upon transmission," and mailed notice counts as delivered two business days after mailing. The Code also says that failing to monitor University email "does not invalidate the delivery of notice," so read every notice the day it arrives.

The Code presumes innocence and puts the burden of proof on the University, and "A Respondent’s decision not to participate will not, by itself, be considered evidence of responsibility." The school process is separate from any criminal case and "may proceed independently of any criminal or civil matter."

Dismissal

Under the Title IX Grievance Procedures, a formal complaint must be dismissed from that process if the conduct would not be Title IX sexual harassment, did not occur in Southeastern’s education program or activity, or did not occur against a person in the United States. The Title IX Coordinator may then send it to OSAA under the policy. The complaint may also be dismissed if the complainant withdraws in writing, the respondent is no longer enrolled or employed, or circumstances prevent gathering enough evidence. Both parties get written notice. Both the procedures and the policy say a dismissal can be appealed, but neither sets a separate deadline for that appeal. Use the deadline in your dismissal notice and confirm it with the Title IX office.

Interim suspension and removal

Both the policy and the Title IX Grievance Procedures allow interim steps such as a no contact order or "an interim suspension from school/removal from an activity". Before an emergency suspension or removal, Southeastern must do an individualized safety and risk analysis, and it "must provide the Respondent with notice and an opportunity to challenge the decision immediately following the suspension/removal."

The 2026-2027 Code sets its own clock for interim measures, which can include housing changes, mutual no contact, temporary suspension, or a campus ban. Written notice comes "Within seventy-two (72) hours of determining that the alleged violation poses an immediate threat," and an interim measure hearing is held "Within seven (7) business days of the written notice," unless the accused student waives it. At that hearing a student may be represented, at the student’s own expense, by an attorney or non-attorney advocate "who may fully participate during the hearing." The written outcome is due within fourteen (14) business days. If you receive an interim notice, follow it and ask right away which rule is being applied.

Transcript hold or notation

The policy says that for a student who is the subject of a complaint and tries to transfer to another public college or university, Southeastern "shall either (1) withhold the transcript of the student or (2) place a notation on the student’s transcript." A pending case can be noted as "Administrative Matter Pending." A student may ask the Office of the Registrar in writing to release the hold or remove the notation for good cause, and Southeastern must answer "no later than seven (7) business days from the date that the appeal request is made."

Investigation and evidence

Title IX track. A neutral investigator gathers evidence, and each side may present witnesses, "including fact and expert witnesses, and other inculpatory and exculpatory evidence." The investigator "shall not restrict the ability of either party to discuss the allegations under investigation." Both sides may inspect evidence directly related to the allegations, including evidence Southeastern does not plan to rely on. "After said review, parties shall have ten working days to submit a written response to said evidence". The investigative report is sent to each party and advisor "At least ten working days prior to a hearing". Questions and evidence about a complainant’s sexual predisposition or prior sexual behavior are not relevant except in two narrow situations the procedures describe. A party who believes an official is biased may challenge that official through the Deputy Title IX Coordinator, or through the Title IX Coordinator if the Deputy is the one challenged.

Power-based violence track. Investigators trained in these cases interview the parties and witnesses and gather records. Before the report is final, each side may see the other’s statements and may be given a summary of other information. "A Complainant or Respondent must submit any comments about their own statement, or on any investigation summary that might be provided, to the Investigator(s) within five (5) calendar days after the statement or summary was provided." The final report makes no finding.

Code process. Students in an active case get "reasonable access to review available information and evidence relevant to their case," and the University "is not required to follow formal rules of evidence".

None of these documents defines a working day, business day, or calendar day. Keep each number with the document that sets it, and do not convert one unit into another.

Advisor and hearing

Title IX live hearing. The Title IX Grievance Procedures require a live hearing before a decision maker who is not the Title IX Coordinator or the investigator, and they say "Cases will be adjudicated by a third-party Decision Maker(s)." Hearing notice "shall be provided ten working days prior to the hearing." "Cross-examination at the live hearing must be conducted directly, orally, and in real time by the party’s advisor of choice and never by a party personally." If you have no advisor at the hearing, Southeastern must provide one without charge to conduct cross-examination for you. The decision maker rules on relevance before a question is answered. The decision maker "may rely, if appropriate, on a statement of a party or a witness even if that party or witness does not submit to cross-examination," but may not draw an inference solely from someone’s absence or refusal to answer. The standard is preponderance of the evidence. Either side can ask for separate rooms with technology that lets everyone see and hear.

Outside Title IX, the documents describe the advisor differently. The policy says advisers "are not permitted to directly participate in resolution hearings or an informal resolution conference" and may not speak directly to the investigator, the adjudicator, other parties, or witnesses. Another section of the same policy lists "the right to submit, cross-examine, and challenge the evidence in a live hearing." The 2026-2027 Code says an attorney or non-attorney advocate, at the student’s expense, "may fully participate," which includes "the ability to make opening and closing statements, examine and cross-examine witnesses". Some older OSAA web pages still say advisors may not participate directly. Confirm in writing, before any meeting, what your advisor will be allowed to do. Under the Code, the advisor’s name and relationship must reach the Hearing Board Advisor "at least 48 hours before the hearing."

Code hearings. Most Code cases start with a Disciplinary Conference. Signing a Disciplinary Administrative Agreement means accepting responsibility and the sanctions, and it "Waives the right to a formal hearing and the right to appeal under this Code." Cases that could lead to suspension of ten or more days or expulsion go to a Hearing Board, generally "at least ten (10) business days after the student has been notified of the hearing." Hearings are closed, and OSAA records them. The Hearing Board decides responsibility and a separate Adjudicator sets any sanction.

Standard of evidence. The Title IX Grievance Procedures and the policy use preponderance of the evidence. The 2026-2027 Code says that, except as otherwise required by applicable law, the University "shall determine responsibility by clear and convincing evidence in cases involving potential sanctions of suspension of ten (10) or more days, expulsion, or removal of recognition of a student organization," with an exception for some cases of serious bodily injury or death. Ask which standard applies to your case.

Sanctions

Sanctions range from warnings and probation to suspension and expulsion. The Title IX Grievance Procedures list, among others, removal from courses or activities, housing removal, no contact, "Suspension. Separation from Recipient for a specified period of time or until certain conditions are met." and "Expulsion. Permanent separation from Recipient." The policy says student sanctions "will be selected from those outlined in the Student Code of Conduct." Under the Code, suspension, dismissal, and expulsion are noted on the transcript.

The documents disagree on when a sanction starts. The Title IX Grievance Procedures and the policy say "The rendered sanction is in effect as of the date identified on the sanction letter, or until an appeal is granted." The 2026-2027 Code says sanctions "shall not become effective until" the appeal period runs out with no appeal or all appeals are finished. Interim measures can stay in place either way.

Informal resolution

The Title IX Grievance Procedures allow a voluntary informal resolution, such as mediation, only after a formal complaint is filed and with written consent, and they say "At no time will either party be offered mediation as an option to resolve a sexual misconduct case that involves violent or criminal conduct." The policy describes its informal route as particularly suited to isolated conduct such as sexual jokes or innuendo, and says "Mediation is not considered appropriate for conduct that involves violent or criminal behavior." Under both the policy and the Code, a respondent who accepts responsibility through an agreement generally gives up the right to appeal.

Supportive measures

Supportive measures are "Non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services offered as appropriate, as reasonably available, and without fee or charge to the parties". Examples in the documents include counseling, deadline extensions and course adjustments, schedule changes, escorts, mutual contact restrictions, housing changes, and leaves of absence. The policy says "Supportive Measures are also to be made available to the Respondent," and "The responding party may also request access to a Confidential Advisor." In a Title IX appeal, "Supportive Measures will continue to remain in place during the appeal process." The Code also lets you ask for disability accommodations, language help, and remote or other alternative ways to take part.

Appeals

Each document sets its own appeal deadline, grounds, and reviewer. Use the deadline and trigger stated in your own outcome letter, and confirm with the Title IX office or OSAA which document governs your appeal before the window closes.

  • Title IX Grievance Procedures. "A student conduct appeal must be directed to the Vice President for Student Affairs or his/her designee within ten (10) working days of being notified of the decision." Grounds are a procedural irregularity that affected the outcome, new evidence not reasonably available earlier, bias or conflict of interest of the Title IX Coordinator, investigator, or decision maker, sanctions not designed to restore the complainant’s access, and sanctions that are inappropriate or disproportionate. For expulsion or a suspension of one year or longer, the respondent may appeal to the President "within ten working days of notification of the Vice-President’s decision," and the procedures call the President’s decision "final and unreviewable." They do not mention the Board of Supervisors.
  • Power-Based Violence & Sexual Misconduct Policy. An appeal goes to the Vice President for Student Affairs "within ten (10) working days of being notified of the decision." If the decision came by letter, the policy counts ten working days from the date stamped on the envelope. It lists six grounds, including that "The decision reached was not supported by a preponderance of evidence." For suspension of one academic year or longer, further appeals go to the President and then the Board of Supervisors.
  • 2026-2027 Student Code of Conduct. "Appeals must be submitted within fourteen (14) business days from the date of the written outcome letter," to OSAA for conference decisions or to the Vice President for Student Affairs for Hearing Board decisions, through the Conduct Appeal portal. Grounds are procedural error, new or previously unavailable information, disproportionate sanction, and denial of due process. "An appeal is not a rehearing of the case." Appeals to the President, for suspension of one academic year or greater, expulsion, or removal of an organization’s recognition, are due "within fourteen (14) business days of the decision issued by the Vice President for Student Affairs or their designee." An OSAA FAQ page still describes a ten-business-day appeal to the Vice President.

Board of Supervisors. The UL System Board’s rule on student conduct appeals says a student may appeal to the Board "if the sanction is one of suspension from the university for a period of one academic year, or if the sanction is of greater severity," and the appeal "must be within 30 calendar days of the institution’s decision." The Board’s review "is limited to a determination of compliance with established and appropriate procedures at the institutional level." The policy repeats this rule. The Code says Board appeals are due "within thirty (30) calendar days of the decision issued by the University President or their designee." The Title IX Grievance Procedures do not include this step, so ask the Title IX office in writing whether it is available in your case.

FAQ

Which document governs my case?
It depends on what is alleged, whether it falls inside Title IX, the incident date, and the date of your notice. Your notice should name the process. If it does not, ask the Title IX office in writing.

Do I have to contact the Title IX office after a notice?
In a case outside Title IX, the policy says the respondent must arrange to meet with the Title IX office within seven (7) business days of receiving notice of the complaint. Do not let that window pass.

Can I bring a lawyer?
Each document lets you choose an advisor, and the advisor may be an attorney. What that advisor may say or do differs by document, so get the rules in writing before any meeting or hearing.

Does a criminal case pause the school case?
The Code says the school process is separate from criminal and civil cases and may go forward on its own, and Southeastern’s Title IX resources page says "University disciplinary action may occur whether or not criminal charges are filed."

Can I be suspended before a decision?
Yes. Both the policy and the Code allow interim suspension or removal when there is an immediate safety concern, with notice and a chance to challenge it. The Code gives a hearing within seven (7) business days of the written notice unless you waive it.

What if my complaint is dismissed?
Both the policy and the Title IX Grievance Procedures allow a dismissal to be appealed, but neither sets a separate deadline for it. Use the deadline in your dismissal notice and confirm it with the Title IX office.

More guides for Louisiana schools: Louisiana Title IX lawyer.

Legal Review: Reviewed by Attorney T. Matthews, Esquire

Disclaimer

This page is general information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Southeastern Louisiana University or the University of Louisiana System. Policies change, so confirm every step and deadline against your own notice, the documents Southeastern currently posts, and Southeastern’s Title IX office.

Sources

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