A UCF Title IX lawyer can help you work the written grievance policy from the first notice through the live hearing and any appeal.
The University of Central Florida decides covered sexual harassment cases under Policy 2-012.3, the Title IX Grievance Policy, effective May 30, 2023 and covering conduct from August 14, 2020 forward. Federally, the 2020 Title IX rule is the enforcement basis after the January 9, 2025 nationwide vacatur of the 2024 rule. What follows describes the campus policy as written. Hearing background is at how do Title IX hearings work.
Intake and reporting at UCF
Anyone may report to the Title IX Coordinator in person, by mail, by phone, by email, or through the Lets Be Clear portal. The Office of Nondiscrimination and Accommodations Compliance administers the process. Confidential options in the policy include counseling, health services, victim services, student legal services, the ombuds office, and chaplains, subject to safety and abuse reporting limits.
A disciplinary case moves only after a signed formal complaint describing the facts, filed by the complainant or signed by the Coordinator where safety requires it. The Coordinator then runs a six element jurisdictional screen covering timing, affiliation, program participation, US location, program connection, and whether the facts as alleged would fit the policy. Cases that fail face mandatory dismissal with written reasons, and cases where the complaint is withdrawn, affiliation ends, or evidence runs out may face discretionary dismissal. Either dismissal can be appealed in writing within ten business days on the ground that it was procedurally incorrect. Cases outside Title IX may route to other policies such as the nondiscrimination policy, so confirm your track in the notice. First steps are at after-you-have-been-accused.
Supportive measures are open to both sides with or without a complaint and are never disciplinary. Examples include counseling referrals, deadline extensions, schedule changes, escort services, no contact orders, and housing or work changes. Where an immediate threat to physical health or safety is found after an individualized analysis, the university may remove a student respondent on an emergency basis with notice and a chance to challenge under the Golden Rule handbook. Ask for that challenge route in writing at once. Florida law also sets a general notice floor for student conduct cases, so confirm the current code text before acting.
Investigation: two stages of evidence review
The university carries the burden of proof and of gathering evidence. Both sides may present witnesses and material, the investigator decides relevance, and medical records stay off limits without voluntary written consent. Appendix targets run about 15 days to assess jurisdiction, 105 days to investigate, and 30 days to reach a student hearing, all extendable for good cause with notice.
Two review windows protect respondents, and both use calendar days. Before the investigation closes, both sides receive the directly related evidence and have ten calendar days to file a written response. The investigator then circulates a report fairly summarizing relevant evidence at least ten calendar days before the hearing. Treat the first window as the last reliable chance to add evidence. Record building is at title-ix-investigation.
Either side may appeal the investigation before referral to hearing on two narrow grounds only, a procedural irregularity or a conflict or bias by the Coordinator or investigator that materially affected the outcome. A one time delay of up to five business days is available for good cause, and advisor unavailability alone generally buys no more than five business days, so keep backup coverage ready.
Hearing and advisor at UCF
No sanction issues under this policy without a live hearing, and the parties cannot waive it. Hearings may be in person or by video, are closed to the public, and are audio recorded. Parties get email notice at least seven business days ahead plus the hearing materials at least five business days ahead. A chair runs procedure and decorum while a separate decision maker weighs evidence and sets sanctions, with bias objections due within three business days of learning an assignment. Advisor preparation is at title-ix-advisor and format at title-ix-disciplinary-hearings.
Questioning belongs to advisors. The decision maker questions each person first, then each advisor cross examines the other side and witnesses directly, orally, and in real time with party authored questions. Parties never question each other, and the chair rules on relevance before each answer with reasons for exclusions. In student cases advisors may take direct part in the whole hearing, including presenting relevant information, but may not answer cross examination for a party. Without an advisor the university appoints one at no fee. The decision maker may not infer responsibility from absence or silence alone. The recording is available for review within ten business days absent extenuating circumstances.
One boundary matters. The policy text reviewed contains no informal resolution provision, so do not assume mediation exists inside the Title IX track. If a notice mentions an alternative, ask for the exact policy section in writing.
Sanctions and appeal at UCF
The standard is preponderance of the evidence, meaning more likely than not, with the respondent presumed not responsible until the end. The written determination covers allegations, steps taken, findings, policy sections, responsibility findings with reasons, sanctions and remedies with reasons, and appeal rights, issued within five calendar days of the hearing absent extenuating circumstances.
Either side may appeal within ten business days on grounds of procedural irregularity, genuinely new evidence, conflict or bias, or any other applicable student ground. Filing suspends sanctions while the appeal runs, and a neutral officer with no prior case role decides with a target of 20 business days. Appeals are at title-ix-appeals and consequences at consequences of a Title IX violation.
Speak with a UCF Title IX lawyer
UCF cases turn on the two ten calendar day windows, relevance rulings at hearing, and a short ten business day appeal clock. Contact us to discuss your notice and what comes next.
Respondent checklist
- Confirm the Title IX track versus another policy track in your notice
- Request supportive measures in writing and preserve messages, photos, location records, and witness names
- File the evidence response inside ten calendar days and propose witnesses early
- Secure an advisor plus backup given the five business day delay cap
- Calendar the seven business day notice, five business day materials date, and ten business day appeal clock
- Ask in writing for the removal challenge route and the recording review process
FAQ
Where do I check status at UCF?
Through the Lets Be Clear portal or the Title IX Coordinator. Confirm whether a signed formal complaint exists.
Must there be a signed complaint first?
For the disciplinary track, yes. The complainant or the Coordinator signs it, while supportive measures need none.
Can I bring a lawyer?
Any advisor, attorney or not, may serve at every stage. Only advisors cross examine, and the university appoints one at no fee if you have none.
What must the university prove?
That a violation more likely than not occurred, with you presumed not responsible and both sides of the evidence weighed.
Is informal resolution available?
The text reviewed contains no such provision, so get the controlling section in writing before assuming an alternative exists.
How do I appeal?
Write within ten business days stating a permitted ground. Sanctions wait and a neutral officer issues a written outcome.
Sources (checked 2026-09-22)
- UCF Lets Be Clear Title IX portal: office role, reporting routes, supportive measures
- UCF Policy 2-012 Title IX Grievance Policy: complaint, jurisdiction, evidence reviews, hearing, sanctions, appeals
- UCF Student Code of Conduct: conduct code routing for matters outside the Title IX track
- Florida Statute 1006.60 (2026): subsection (3)(a) sets a seven business day hearing notice floor plus five business day information requirements for covered student conduct proceedings, and (3)(g) addresses advisor participation; a statutory floor for covered proceedings, not a guarantee across every Title IX track
More guides for Florida schools: Florida 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 the University of Central Florida. Policies change, so confirm the current policy text before acting.
