Baylor Title IX Lawyer: What Respondents Need to Know

If you are looking for a Baylor Title IX lawyer because the university has contacted you, this page explains what Baylor’s own documents say happens next. This page is for Baylor students accused of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking or other sexual misconduct (called respondents in Baylor’s documents). It describes only what Baylor’s own policy documents say. Texas state law is covered on our Texas Title IX defense attorney page.

The Baylor Offices That Handle These Cases

Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office

Baylor’s office is the Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office, which the Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct (SIM) Policy calls the Equity Office. The Title IX Coordinator oversees Baylor’s response to all reports of Prohibited Conduct, including investigation and resolution, supportive measures, and appeals. The Coordinator may delegate duties to designees.

The Equity Office is not confidential. It is not on the policy’s list of Confidential Resources, and Baylor’s resources page lists it among the non-confidential resources. The policy says information about a report goes to a limited circle of employees who need to know. It also says anyone who facilitates or decides a resolution process must not have a conflict of interest or bias for or against complainants or respondents.

Student Conduct Administration

Student Conduct Administration oversees the Student Conduct Code, which covers other student misconduct such as alcohol or drug use, threats and firearms. The two offices connect in several ways:

• The Equity Office may refer a report to Student Conduct if it decides the report does not belong under the SIM Policy.
• If conduct may violate both the SIM Policy and another policy, Baylor may choose to investigate the other conduct under the SIM procedures.
• For student respondents, sanctions may include any set out in the Student Conduct Code.
• Findings of responsibility are added to the student’s disciplinary record kept by Student Conduct Administration.

Which Baylor Policy Applies to Your Case

The current policy is the Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct Policy (Policy Number 022), last revised January 1, 2026. Baylor’s PDF is the version dated 1.1.26. Baylor’s policies page lists it as the 2026 Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct Policy.

The policies page also says that for conduct alleged to have occurred before August 1, 2024, the Prohibited Conduct definitions and procedural steps of the 2021 SIM Policy are used. It lists archived policies by the dates they apply to:

• SIM Policy, cases initiated February 22, 2025 to December 31, 2025.
• 2024 SIM Policy, cases where the conduct was alleged on or after August 1, 2024 and the live hearing occurred after January 10, 2025.
• SIM Policy, cases initiated September 22, 2021 to August 1, 2024.
• SIM Policy, cases initiated August 14, 2020 to September 15, 2021.
• Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Interpersonal Violence Policy, cases initiated August 26, 2019 to August 13, 2020; January 8, 2018 to August 25, 2019; and January 9, 2017 to January 7, 2018.

The steps and deadlines below come from the 2026 policy. If your notice or the dates in your case point to an earlier version, its rules may differ, and this page does not describe them.

The 2026 policy does not send cases down separate tracks. It covers Sexual Harassment as defined by Title IX, related retaliation, and certain other sexual and interpersonal misconduct. It says: “The University will follow the same resolution procedures described below” whether or not the conduct would count as Title IX misconduct. The Notice of Investigation states whether the alleged misconduct would be Title IX misconduct if proved, and you can appeal a determination that it is not. If it is not clear which version applies to your case, ask the Equity Office to confirm it in writing.

The Baylor Process Step by Step

Report and Initial Assessment

Anyone can report to the Equity Office, and the policy says there is no time limit for reporting. Baylor employees other than Confidential Resources must report to the Title IX Coordinator. After a report, the Equity Office contacts the complainant, offers supportive measures, and assesses whether the conduct raises a possible violation within the policy. It then does one of four things: proceeds with Investigative Resolution, proceeds with Adaptable Resolution, refers the matter elsewhere, or closes the report if the complainant asks for no resolution process and Baylor can honor that. The Coordinator typically decides requests for resolution within 7 business days of the request.

Formal Complaint and Dismissal

A formal complaint is a document filed by a complainant, or signed by the Title IX Coordinator, alleging Prohibited Conduct by a respondent and asking Baylor to investigate. The Coordinator first decides whether the conduct alleged, if proved, would be Prohibited Conduct. If not, the complaint is dismissed or referred, and the parties are notified and can appeal. The Coordinator may also dismiss if the complainant withdraws in writing, if the respondent is no longer enrolled or employed (subject to a Texas-law exception for student respondents), or if specific circumstances prevent Baylor from gathering evidence sufficient to reach a determination. Baylor gives both parties written notice of a dismissal and the reasons.

Notice to the Respondent

If Baylor opens an investigation, it sends both parties a written Notice of Investigation. The Equity Office’s process page says the AVP for Equity or a designee sends it. Under the policy, the notice includes:

• Information about Baylor’s resolution processes.
• The identities of the parties, the conduct alleged, and the dates and locations, to the extent known.
• Whether the conduct would be Title IX misconduct if proved.
• A statement that you are “presumed not responsible” until a determination at the end of the process.
• Your right to an advisor, who may be an attorney.
• Your right to equal access to admissible evidence and the investigative report.
• The investigator’s name and contact information.
• A direction to preserve potentially relevant evidence.
• Statements on false statements and on retaliation.

You may object in writing to the investigator within 3 business days of notice of the investigator’s identity, on grounds of conflict of interest or bias.

Informal Resolution (Adaptable Resolution)

Adaptable Resolution is voluntary and remedies-based. It needs the complainant’s consent and the Title IX Coordinator’s approval. It also needs your written consent when the form chosen involves you. Options include Restorative Justice Conference, Restorative Justice Circle, Facilitated Conversation and Shuttle Communication. You can stop at any time before signing an Adaptable Resolution Agreement. If it ends without an agreement, what was shared with the facilitator is not passed to the investigator or hearing officer. Statements made in it cannot be used in Investigative Resolution. A signed agreement bars either party from starting Investigative Resolution on the same allegations. Adaptable Resolution is typically completed within 60 days of the agreement to begin.

Investigation and Review of Reports

The investigator meets separately with the complainant, the respondent and witnesses. The burden of gathering evidence is on Baylor, not the parties, and the investigator does not decide responsibility. Both parties may present witnesses and evidence. Baylor seeks to complete fact-gathering in approximately 90 days after the Notice of Investigation, but it may extend any timeframe for good cause and must tell the parties in writing. Baylor can proceed without a party’s participation. The policy says it draws no adverse inference from a decision not to participate, but that declining may affect the timing and outcome.

The policy treats some evidence as impermissible: privileged material, treatment records without the person’s written consent, and evidence about a complainant’s sexual interests or prior sexual conduct, subject to the limited exceptions the policy lists. The investigator then issues a preliminary report that you and your advisor can review online. You cannot download, print or copy it. You have 10 business days after it is issued to submit a written response. A final report follows, and you have 5 business days to respond to it.

Hearing and Decision

The hearing is held no earlier than 10 calendar days after the final report. A hearing officer appointed by the Title IX Coordinator decides the case. You may object to the hearing officer within 3 business days of notice of their identity. Hearings are held through an electronic meeting platform such as Zoom. The hearing officer decides which questions are admissible. Baylor makes a transcript of the hearing available when the determination letter is shared.

The hearing officer decides by a preponderance of the evidence, which the policy defines as a finding that the violation is “more likely than not” to have occurred. Within 15 business days after the hearing, the hearing officer issues a written determination on responsibility and any sanctions. Both parties receive it at the same time.

Sanctions

For student respondents the policy lists these sanctions, in ascending order of severity: Warning, Disciplinary Probation, Restitution, Residential or Other Facilities Restrictions or Removal, Withholding of Degree, Suspension, Suspension with Conditions and Expulsion. Community Service, Restriction of Access to Space, Resources, and Activities, and Educational Programs may accompany them. Sanctions are suspended during an appeal, in a way that preserves both your rights and Baylor’s ability to carry them out.

Appeals

Either party may appeal a determination on responsibility, or the Title IX Coordinator’s dismissal of a request for resolution. The grounds are:

• Procedural irregularity that affected the outcome.
• New evidence not reasonably available earlier that could affect the outcome.
• Conflict of interest or bias that affected the outcome.
• A decision that was arbitrary or capricious.

The appeal goes in writing to the Title IX Coordinator no later than 7 business days after Baylor transmitted the determination or dismissal. The Coordinator may extend that deadline if circumstances warrant. The other party has 5 business days to respond. The appellate officer cannot be the hearing officer, the investigator or the Coordinator. Absent extenuating circumstances, the Equity Office notifies the parties of the decision within 15 business days of the appellate officer’s assignment. The appellate officer may deny the appeal, return the case to the hearing officer, appoint an alternate decision-maker, or change or modify the decision. That decision is final.

Advisors at Baylor

Each party may consult an advisor of their choosing during any resolution process, and the advisor may be any person, including an attorney. An advisor may accompany you to any meeting or proceeding and may give support and advice. The policy states an advisor “may not speak on behalf of the party” or delay or disrupt meetings, except in the hearing role described below. The Equity Office and investigator generally communicate directly with you, and they communicate with your advisor only after a FERPA waiver is signed. Advisors must sign a privacy form before getting case materials.

At the hearing, the advisor’s role is to conduct cross-examination for you. Cross-examination is done by the advisor and never by a party personally. If you have no advisor at the hearing, Baylor provides one at no charge, for the limited purpose of cross-examination. Advisors cannot make opening statements or object to the hearing officer’s admissibility rulings. They may confer privately with you in a non-disruptive way, and during a recess. Baylor may exclude an advisor who disrupts the process. Parties and advisors may not contact the hearing officer or appellate officer about the case.

Interim Measures and Records at Baylor

Supportive measures are individualized, non-punitive and free of charge. Either party can request them from the Equity Office, and Baylor will consult with the respondent at the appropriate time. Examples include counseling, deadline extensions, schedule changes, late drops, housing changes, no contact directives and leaves of absence. The Equity Office may provide, deny, modify or terminate a measure. Baylor’s brochure says parties can ask for a supportive measure review of such decisions. Separately, Baylor may impose non-punitive administrative measures, such as no contact directives, at any time, even if no violation is found.

Where there is an immediate threat to anyone’s physical health or safety, Baylor can remove a student respondent from its education program or activity on an emergency basis and issue no trespass and no-contact orders. The Title IX Coordinator decides after an individualized safety and risk analysis. You must get notice and an opportunity to challenge the decision immediately after removal.

The SIM Policy says Baylor places a “temporary administrative hold” on a student respondent’s transcript until the Investigative Resolution process is complete. If a student respondent withdraws while the investigation is pending, the policy says Texas law requires Baylor to continue. A student suspended or expelled for a violation has the notation “Ineligible to Reenroll” placed on the transcript. The student may ask in writing, through the Title IX Coordinator, to have it removed if they are eligible to reenroll or Baylor finds good cause. Removing it does not require Baylor to change the disciplinary record. The Equity Office keeps records of reports and resolutions for no fewer than seven years.

Support for Respondents at Baylor

The policy says all Baylor students can use Confidential Resources whether or not they take part in a resolution process. Confidential Resources cannot disclose what you tell them without your written permission, except in limited cases such as imminent serious harm or suspected abuse or neglect of a minor. They report only non-identifying incident information to the Equity Office. The policy names these Confidential Resources:

• The University Counseling Center, which provides counseling.
• University Health Services, a primary-care clinic.
• The Baylor Psychology Clinic.
• Athletics Mental Health Services.
• The University Chaplain, and the Louise Herrington School of Nursing chaplain in Dallas, when acting in a ministerial or pastoral role.

Other Office of Spiritual Life members, Resident Chaplains and Athletic Chaplains are not Confidential Resources.

Baylor’s resources page lists these among its non-confidential offices: the Equity Office, Student Life, Campus Living & Learning, the Baylor University Police Department, the Center for Academic Success and Engagement, One Stop Student Financial Services, and the Office of Access & Learning Accommodation. Students who need disability accommodations during the resolution process must be registered with that last office.

Texas Law in Brief

Texas law generally requires employees of Texas colleges and universities, acting within their jobs, to promptly report to the Title IX coordinator incidents they reasonably believe are sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence or stalking involving a student or employee, with exceptions such as confidential employees. Public and private schools alike must note on the transcript when a student is ineligible to reenroll for a reason other than academics or finances, and may remove the note on request if the student becomes eligible or there is good cause. If a student withdraws or graduates while such a charge is pending, the school may not end the disciplinary process or issue a transcript until it makes a final determination of responsibility. On request, it must also give another postsecondary institution information about a determination that the student committed such a violation. For the full state-law section, see our Texas Title IX page.

Related pages: Texas Title IX defense attorney and Title IX investigation guide

Official Baylor Title IX Resources

• Baylor Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct / Title IX
• Baylor SIM/Title IX Policies (current and past versions)
• Baylor Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct Policy (1.1.26)
• Baylor SIM Investigative Resolution Process
• Baylor Title IX: Resources

Last verified: October 2026

Frequently Asked Questions About Baylor Title IX Cases

Which Baylor office will contact me?

Under the policy, the Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office handles reports and sends the Notice of Investigation, and the Equity Office’s process page says the AVP for Equity or a designee sends it. The notice names the investigator. If an investigation or other action affects you, the Title IX Coordinator also gives you written information about available resources and options.

Is the Equity Office confidential?

No. It is not on the policy’s list of Confidential Resources, and Baylor’s resources page lists it as non-confidential. If you want confidential support, the policy points to the Counseling Center, Health Services, the Baylor Psychology Clinic, Athletics Mental Health Services and the University Chaplain.

Can a lawyer be my advisor at Baylor?

Yes. The policy says an advisor may be any person, including an attorney, and may accompany you to any meeting or proceeding. The advisor may not speak for you, except to conduct cross-examination at the hearing. If you have no advisor at the hearing, Baylor provides one without charge for cross-examination only.

How long do I have to appeal?

Under the 2026 SIM Policy, an appeal must be in writing to the Title IX Coordinator no later than 7 business days after Baylor transmitted the determination or dismissal. The Coordinator may extend that deadline if circumstances warrant. Check your notice and the policy version that applies to you, because earlier versions may differ.

What happens if I withdraw while the case is pending?

The policy says Texas law requires Baylor to continue the investigation and resolution process if a student respondent withdraws. A temporary hold stays on the transcript until the process is complete. The Coordinator may dismiss a complaint when a respondent is no longer enrolled, except where Texas law requires Baylor to finalize an investigation of a student who was enrolled when it began.

Will this go on my transcript?

The policy says a temporary hold is placed on the transcript during the process. It says a student who is suspended or expelled for a violation gets the notation “Ineligible to Reenroll,” which can be removed on written request in the circumstances above. The policy ties that notation to suspension or expulsion and does not say other sanctions appear on the transcript. A Warning appears in the disciplinary record, and findings of responsibility are added to the disciplinary record.

Can the case be resolved informally?

Sometimes. Adaptable Resolution is Baylor’s informal option. Starting it needs the complainant’s consent and the Title IX Coordinator’s approval, plus your consent when the form chosen involves you, and you can withdraw before signing an agreement. You may also ask to end Investigative Resolution and begin Adaptable Resolution at any time before the written determination is shared.