UC Title IX Lawyer: Student SVSH Process Explained

If you have just received a notice about a sexual violence or sexual harassment allegation and are searching for a UC Title IX lawyer, start here. This page explains the systemwide process every University of California campus uses for sexual violence and sexual harassment complaints against students. It does not cover employees or faculty. Your own notice and the version of the documents that applies to your case control the actual deadlines, so read them first and confirm every date with your campus Title IX office.

Which documents govern

Three documents set the process for student respondents.

The UC Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment (SVSH Policy), an interim policy. It was issued 12/22/2025 and is effective 1/1/2026.
PACAOS Appendix E, which covers conduct that is not covered by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) Title IX regulations. It was issued 12/22/2025 and is effective 1/1/2026.
Interim PACAOS Appendix F, which covers DOE-covered conduct. It was issued 12/22/2025 and is effective 1/1/2026.

The SVSH Policy’s revision history has an entry dated August 24, 2026 stating that its Frequently Asked Questions section was updated. Appendix E and Appendix F each also list a May 1, 2026 entry about web accessibility formatting.

The version that applies to you can depend on the date of the incident or the date you were given notice. Campus web pages sometimes link different copies of these documents. Do not assume that the copy you find online is the one that governs you. Your own Notice of Charges controls, and your campus Title IX office can confirm which version applies.

Which framework applies

DOE-covered conduct

The SVSH Policy has an appendix (Appendix IV) that lists what makes conduct DOE-covered. In plain terms, all of the following must be true.

The alleged conduct happened on or after August 14, 2020.
The complainant was in the United States when it happened.
It happened in a University program or activity. That means on campus, or off campus in certain settings such as University operations, places where the University had substantial control, or a building owned or controlled by a recognized student organization.
It is one of the listed kinds of DOE sex-based misconduct, such as sexual assault involving penetration, intentional touching of an intimate body part without consent, relationship violence, stalking, sexual intercourse with a person under 18, certain severe harassment, or certain invasions of sexual privacy.

The Title IX Officer makes this assessment. A report is not the same as a DOE formal complaint. The DOE process is triggered only by a DOE formal complaint that alleges DOE-covered conduct, and the Title IX Officer can sign one in some situations.

How the two appendices connect

Appendix E applies to non-DOE-covered conduct. Appendix F applies to DOE-covered conduct.
When DOE-covered allegations and other allegations arise from the same facts, they are handled together in the DOE process.
A case can move from Appendix E to Appendix F. If additional charges or the investigation’s findings show DOE-covered conduct that was not charged as such, the Title IX Officer notifies the parties that the case will proceed under Appendix F.
A DOE dismissal does not necessarily end the matter. The Title IX Officer decides whether and how to continue with the dismissed allegations. If no DOE-covered allegations remain, any further investigation is a Formal Investigation under the SVSH Policy, which for students is the Appendix E process. If other DOE-covered allegations remain, all allegations continue in the DOE process.

Who does what

Title IX Officer and Title IX Office: the initial assessment, the Notice of Charges, and the investigation.
Student Conduct: proposes and imposes sanctions.
Hearing coordinator: manages the administrative side of a hearing. This person is separate from the hearing officer.
Hearing officer: a single person who decides whether a policy violation occurred. The hearing officer may be a University employee or an outside contractor.
Appeal officer: decides appeals.
Respondent Services Coordinator: the support role for respondents.
CARE Advocate: the support role for complainants.

Each campus names its own offices and people for these roles. See your campus page (listed below) for local office names.

From report to Notice of Charges

Initial assessment

After a report, the Title IX Officer makes an initial assessment. The first question is whether the conduct is DOE-covered and, if so, whether to open a DOE process or Alternative Resolution. If it is not DOE-covered, the Title IX Officer asks whether the report alleges prohibited conduct and whether the policy covers it. Some reports are closed after this assessment.

Alternative Resolution

Alternative Resolution is a non-investigative path that can include separating the parties, counseling referrals, an agreement between the parties, and educational programs. Mediation is not used in cases of sexual violence. It is voluntary: both the complainant and the respondent must agree, in writing, and either party can end it. The Title IX Officer has discretion over whether a case is appropriate and can stop the process and move to a Formal Investigation or DOE process. It is private but not confidential, and information shared may be considered in a later process. The Title IX Officer typically completes it within 30 to 60 business days, with extensions for good cause.

The Notice of Charges

If an investigation goes forward, the Title IX Officer, after consulting Student Conduct, sends written notice of the charges to both parties. Under both appendices it includes:

a summary of the reported conduct and the identities of the parties;
the date, time and location of the incident, as far as known;
the specific policy provisions potentially violated;
a statement that the report will make findings and a preliminary determination;
the chance to propose questions for the investigator to ask;
the right to an advisor;
status updates on request and every 30 days (the SVSH Policy says every 30 business days);
the preponderance of the evidence standard;
a summary of the process and expected timeline;
a warning against retaliation; and
a summary of rights and resources.

The Title IX Officer may amend the notice during the investigation to add charges. Under Appendix F, the notice also states that there is no presumption of responsibility, that the parties may review all evidence directly related to the allegations before the investigation ends, and that furnishing false information is a policy violation.

Appendix F sends the notice “at least three business days before a party’s requested interview date”. Appendix E has no similar sentence.

Investigation and evidence review

Under both appendices, absent an extension for good cause, the Title IX Office typically completes its investigation within “60 to 90 business days” of the notice of charges. This is a target for the investigation, not a deadline for you. The Title IX Officer can extend it for good cause, with written notice of the reason and the new timeline.

The standard of proof is preponderance of the evidence, meaning it is more likely than not that a violation occurred. Appendix F says that at the outset there is “no presumption that the Respondent is responsible for a policy violation”. Appendix E states that a respondent will not be found responsible unless the evidence meets the preponderance standard.

Before the report is final, both parties review the evidence and respond. The two appendices differ, and the periods should not be merged.

Appendix E: parties review the evidence the investigator considers relevant. The Title IX Officer sets a reasonable period that, absent good cause, “will not exceed 5 business days”. That is a ceiling, not a guaranteed length.
Appendix F: parties review evidence that is directly related, which the appendix calls a standard broader than relevance. The period is, absent good cause, “of at least 10 business days”, and the response is in writing.

Investigation report and preliminary determination

The investigator writes a report with findings of fact and a preliminary determination about whether policy was violated. The Title IX Officer sends the parties a notice of the findings and preliminary determination, along with the report. Under both appendices the parties have 20 business days from that notice, but what you do in those 20 business days differs.

Appendix E (contest): either party may contest within 20 business days. If a violation is preliminarily found and Student Conduct proposes suspension or dismissal, then “Respondent is presumed to contest the preliminary determination” unless the respondent gives Student Conduct a written acknowledgment that they do not contest, accept the determination, and waive a hearing. If Student Conduct does not propose suspension or dismissal and neither party contests in time, the preliminary determination becomes final. A party who wants to contest must notify Student Conduct within the 20 business days, even if the other party has already contested.
Appendix F (accept): either party may accept in writing within 20 business days. Unless both parties accept, there will be a hearing.

Either party may ask to discuss options with Student Conduct by contacting it within 3 business days of the notice. If a violation is preliminarily found, each party may also give input on sanctions by meeting with Student Conduct or submitting a written statement, and must act “within three days of receiving the notice of preliminary determination”. The sources state this unit as “three days” and do not say business days, so check your notice. In that case, Student Conduct tells the parties its proposed sanction within 15 business days of the notice of findings.

Hearing

The hearing officer and hearing coordinator hold a separate pre-hearing meeting with each party to explain the process and begin to define the scope. Each party submits a preliminary statement of disputed issues and evidence no later than 5 business days before that meeting. The hearing officer then sets the scope of the hearing.
A single hearing officer conducts the hearing. Within 5 business days after being told who the hearing officer is, a party may request disqualification for bias or conflict of interest. Student Conduct decides the request.
The hearing coordinator sends written notice of the hearing date, time, location and procedures not less than 10 business days before the hearing.
Courtroom rules of evidence do not apply. The hearing is audio recorded. Appendix F says the hearing is conducted remotely.

How questioning works

Appendix E: “Only the hearing officer may question witnesses and parties.” The parties propose questions by submitting them to the hearing officer, who asks them, and who may exclude or rephrase questions.
Appendix F: the hearing officer may ask questions, and each party’s advisor asks the other party and witnesses the questions the party has prepared. If a party has no advisor available for that, the University assigns a person to ask the party’s questions, at no cost to the party. That person only asks questions and is not the party’s advisor in general. The hearing officer decides whether each question is relevant before it is answered.

After the hearing

Under both appendices, if the hearing officer finds a violation, the hearing officer sends the determination and findings to Student Conduct within 10 business days of the hearing, and Student Conduct decides the sanction. The hearing coordinator sends written notice of the determination and any sanction to both parties within 15 business days of the hearing.

Advisor and support person

At all stages, a student respondent may choose an advisor or ask the University to provide one. The advisor may be any person who is not a party, including an attorney. A party may also have a support person, whose main role is emotional support. With written permission, the advisor receives updates along with the party. The University can exclude an advisor or support person who does not follow the procedures.

Appendix E: the advisor’s main role is guidance. The advisor and support person “may not speak on behalf of a party or otherwise disrupt any meetings or proceedings in any manner.”
Appendix F: the advisor’s main role is guidance, and “The only instance in which an advisor may speak on behalf of a party is to ask the party’s questions of the other party or witnesses during the hearing.” A support person generally may not speak for a party.

Supportive and interim measures

Supportive measures are services, accommodations or other steps put in place to protect people, preserve access to University programs, or deter prohibited conduct. Examples in the sources include no-contact orders, housing assistance, academic support and accommodations, counseling, class or schedule changes, and escort services. Under Appendix F, the Title IX Officer ensures supportive measures are “non-disciplinary and non-punitive”, and that they do not unreasonably burden a party. The SVSH Policy lists possible respondent restrictions among its examples, such as moving residence halls or limiting participation in activities.

Both appendices say the University “may take Interim Actions before a final determination of an alleged violation” consistent with PACAOS 107.00. For DOE-covered cases, Appendix F sets its own standard: a student is restricted only to the minimum extent necessary, based on an individualized safety and risk analysis, when there is reasonable cause to believe the respondent’s participation or presence will lead to physical abuse, threats of violence, or conduct that threatens physical health or safety. The sources do not describe any further procedure here, so ask your campus Title IX office what applies to you.

Sanctions

Sanctions listed in both appendices include, but are not limited to:

dismissal from the University of California;
suspension from the University of California;
exclusion from areas of campus or from official functions;
loss of privileges or exclusion from activities;
restitution;
probation;
censure or warning; and
other actions set out in University policy and campus regulations.

Factors considered include the seriousness of the violation (such as duration, repeated acts, force, injury, and taking advantage of incapacitation), intent or motivation, whether the conduct is aggravated, the response after the violation, disciplinary history, and the impact on others, including input from the complainant.

The appendices set minimum sanctions for certain conduct.

Aggravated sexual assault (penetration or contact): a minimum of suspension for two calendar years.
Sexual assault involving penetration, domestic or dating violence, or stalking: a minimum of suspension for two calendar years, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Sexual assault involving contact: a minimum of suspension for one calendar year, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Sexual harassment and other prohibited behavior: no minimum sanction.

Posting of sanctions on academic transcripts follows PACAOS 106.00 of the Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline.

Appeals

Both parties have an equal opportunity to appeal. A party may appeal only on the listed grounds, and the appeal must identify the grounds and give specific arguments for each.

Appeal after a hearing

The appeal goes to the hearing coordinator. Both appendices set the trigger as “within 10 business days following issuance of the notice of the hearing officer’s determination and, if imposed, the disciplinary sanctions”.

Appendix E grounds (three): procedural error in the hearing that materially affected the outcome; a determination that was unreasonable based on the evidence before the hearing officer (only for a party who participated in the hearing); and sanctions that were disproportionate to the hearing officer’s findings.
Appendix F grounds (five): the same three, plus new evidence that was not reasonably available at the time of the hearing and could have materially affected the outcome, and a hearing officer conflict of interest or bias that affected the outcome.

Under Appendix F, the other party has three business days to submit a written response to a hearing appeal. Appendix E says Student Conduct notifies the other party of the appeal but does not state a response period.

Appeal when there was no hearing

The appeal goes in writing to Student Conduct. Both appendices set the trigger as “within 10 business days following Student Conduct’s notice to the parties that the preliminary determination was final and that Student Conduct would impose the proposed sanction”. The only ground is that the sanction was disproportionate. Under Appendix F, the other party has five business days to submit a written response.

What the appeal officer may decide

The appeal officer decides whether the appealing party has proven a ground. The officer considers the hearing evidence, the investigation file and the appeal statements, and does not make new factual findings or credibility determinations. The officer may uphold, overturn or modify the findings or sanctions. In some cases the officer may send the case back to the hearing officer for more factfinding: for procedural error under Appendix E, and for procedural error or new evidence under Appendix F. The written decision is due within 10 business days of receiving the appeal. A remand adds up to 10 more business days after the hearing officer reports back, and that decision is final.

Appeal of a DOE formal complaint dismissal

This is a separate appeal under the SVSH Policy’s Appendix IV. It goes to the appeal officer “within five business days after notice of dismissal”. The grounds are a procedural error that affected the decision, new evidence not reasonably available at the time that could affect the decision, or a conflict of interest or bias by the Title IX Officer or investigator. The other party can respond within three business days.

FAQ

Can a lawyer be my advisor?
Yes. Both appendices say the advisor may be any person who is not a party, including an attorney. What the advisor may do is limited. Under Appendix E the advisor may not speak for you at meetings or proceedings. Under Appendix F the advisor may speak only to ask your questions at the hearing.

How long do I have to appeal?
It depends on the route. After a hearing, 10 business days following issuance of the notice of the determination and any sanctions. With no hearing, 10 business days following Student Conduct’s notice that the preliminary determination was final. For a dismissal of a DOE formal complaint, five business days after the notice of dismissal. Use the date in your own notice.

Which office handles my case?
At every campus, the Title IX Officer and Title IX Office assess and investigate, and the campus Student Conduct office handles sanctions. Each campus names its own offices, so check your notice and your campus page.

What if my case is not DOE-covered?
Then Appendix E applies, as long as the matter is not closed after the initial assessment. Appendix E has a different way to respond to the preliminary determination (contest, with a presumption to contest in some cases), a different evidence review period, and hearing questions asked by the hearing officer. If DOE-covered conduct is later found or charged, the case can move to Appendix F.

Does the newest policy apply to my case?
Not necessarily. The version that applies can depend on the incident or notice date. Do not assume a version from a web page. Your Notice of Charges controls, and your campus Title IX office can confirm it.

Is the investigation time limit a deadline for me?
No. The 60 to 90 business day period is a target for the Title IX Office, which can extend it for good cause. Your own deadlines come from your notices.

Campus pages

Campus offices, local resources and campus copies of documents are on each campus page.

More guides for California schools: California Title IX lawyer.

Disclaimer

This page is general educational information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the University of California or any of its campuses. Rules and policies change, so confirm every deadline against your own notice, the currently posted documents, and your campus Title IX office.

UC Title IX Lawyer: Systemwide Student SVSH Process Guide

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