UL Lafayette Title IX Lawyer: A Student Respondent Guide

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If you are a University of Louisiana at Lafayette student looking for a UL Lafayette Title IX lawyer after receiving notice of an allegation, this page explains in general terms how the university’s published process works when a student is the respondent. It is general information, not legal advice, and this page is not affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Your own written notice and the office handling your case control the details that apply to you.

Which Policy Applies to You

The university’s policy repository describes itself as the home for official university policies and warns that policies posted on other university websites may be incorrect or obsolete. On September 25, 2026, its Title IX policy page listed the Sexual Harassment and Other Prohibited Sexual Conduct Policy as Policy # HR005.5, latest revision September 16, 2026. The linked policy PDF numbers the same document SA.005.5 and describes the September 2026 change as an administrative update. The repository page also links the student-respondent procedures, whose header still reads "Latest Revision: May 1, 2023." Section references on this page are to that procedure unless another document is named.

The Title IX office website links older copies. Its policy page and procedure page link versions dated February 17, 2023. Its home page lists human resources-hosted procedures under a heading that reads "Effective August 14, 2020," although the student procedure linked there carries a February 14, 2021 revision date.

The deadlines discussed below read the same in the 2021, February 2023, May 2023, and currently linked student procedures reviewed for this page. Other wording differs between versions, including who may conduct the initial assessment and the investigation, and the contact details.

The policy says it applies to incidents reported on or after February 14, 2021. It does not say which revision governs a case that was already open when a later revision was posted. Which version governs your matter can depend on when the incident occurred or was reported and on the date of your written notice, so start with the version your notice names. Ask the Title IX office which policy and procedure versions govern your matter, and keep a copy of the version it identifies.

Report Versus Formal Complaint

A report and a Formal Complaint are not the same thing. The procedure defines a Formal Complaint as a document filed by a Complainant, or signed by the Title IX Coordinator, that alleges sexual harassment or other prohibited sexual conduct and asks the university to investigate (§VIII).

After a report, the Title IX Coordinator or a designee conducts an Initial Assessment of whether the alleged conduct would be a potential policy violation and whether further action is warranted (§V.A). The coordinator then chooses a route: no further action under the policy, Informal Resolution, or Formal Resolution, which includes an investigation and a live hearing (§§I, V.D). When the coordinator decides no further action is needed under this policy, the procedure says the matter is referred to the appropriate office on a case-by-case basis (§V.D).

Informal Resolution is voluntary and starts with written consent. It is available only after a Formal Complaint has been filed and before a determination of responsibility. It may include supportive measures, education or training, increased monitoring, mediation, or restorative justice. Mediation is not used when violent behavior is involved. Any party may withdraw before agreeing to a resolution and return to the formal process, and the written agreement must describe the records that will be kept or could be shared (§V.D.1 and 2).

The procedure also covers dismissal. A Formal Complaint must be dismissed for Title IX purposes if the alleged conduct would not be a policy violation or sexual harassment under the federal definition even if proved, did not occur in a university education program or activity, or did not occur against a person in the United States. The procedure says such a dismissal does not preclude action under another provision of the Student Code of Conduct (§V.B.1). The university may also dismiss if the Complainant withdraws in writing, the respondent is no longer enrolled, or circumstances prevent gathering enough evidence (§V.B.2). Written notice of a dismissal and its reasons goes to both parties at the same time (§V.B.3).

Early Steps After Notice

The procedure says the Title IX Coordinator sends both parties written notice of an investigation at the start of the grievance process, with a summary of the allegation or conduct at issue (§V.D.3(ii)). It does not say the notice must name a policy version, so ask the office to confirm the version in writing.

  • Watch your university email. The procedure calls university email the primary way the university communicates with students and says students are responsible for what is delivered there and for meeting the timelines (§V.D.3(v)).
  • Bias or conflict challenge. The procedure lets either party challenge the Title IX Coordinator for an actual conflict of interest, bias, or lack of impartiality. The challenge goes in writing to hrcompliance@louisiana.edu within three business days of the notification and must state its grounds. Failing to object on time removes any later appeal or objection on that basis (§V.D.3(ii)). If your notice names a different address, follow the notice and confirm with the office.
  • Emergency removal. If the university removes a respondent on an emergency basis, the procedure requires written notice, an individual safety and risk analysis, and an opportunity to challenge the decision to the Title IX Coordinator (§V.A.1). It gives no deadline for that challenge, so ask right away.
  • Withdrawing from the university. A respondent who withdraws before the investigation ends may not be eligible to return until the process concludes. The university withholds the transcript of a respondent accused of a sexually oriented offense who withdraws before the investigation and adjudication conclude (§V.D.3(v)).
  • Criminal matters. If there is a parallel criminal investigation, the procedure says the university coordinates with law enforcement and may, at its request, defer fact-finding (§V.D.3(i)).

Investigation and Evidence

The procedure says the respondent is presumed not responsible until a final determination at the end of the grievance process (§V.D.3(i); policy §V.C). The Title IX Coordinator or a designated investigator gathers evidence and gives both parties an equal opportunity to present facts, expert witnesses, and inculpatory and exculpatory evidence. The parties are not restricted from discussing the allegations or gathering evidence. The coordinator interviews the parties and witnesses separately and may collect prior statements, messages between the parties, email, text, and social media messages. If the respondent declines to take part, the investigation may continue without them (§V.D.3(i) and (ii)).

The coordinator may exclude information as irrelevant, immaterial, or more prejudicial than informative, and character evidence is generally treated as not relevant (§V.D.3(vi) and (vii)).

The procedure sets two separate review windows. They start from different events:

  • Directly related evidence. The coordinator sends the parties and their Support Persons/Advisors the evidence directly related to the allegations. Parties have "ten (10) days to inspect review and respond" (§V.D.3(ii)).
  • Investigative report. At the end of the investigation, each party and advisor receives the report, and each party has "ten (10) days to inspect, review, and respond" to the evidence in it (§V.D.3(ix)).

Neither sentence says whether these are business days or calendar days. Use the due date stated in the written message that sends you the materials, and ask the office to confirm it in writing rather than counting it yourself.

There is no fixed deadline for finishing the case. The procedure aims for a reasonably prompt resolution, lets the coordinator set reasonable time frames, allows extensions for good cause (including law enforcement requests, witness availability, and university breaks), and promises periodic status updates (§V.D.3(iii)).

Advisor and Hearing

Either party may have a Support Person/Advisor at any meeting related to the investigation. The advisor cannot otherwise be a party or witness, is at the party’s own initiative and expense, and may be asked to meet the coordinator beforehand about the role (§V.D.3(iv)). The procedure does not mention attorneys; its only stated exclusion is someone who is otherwise a party or witness. Outside the hearing, the procedure describes the advisor as a non-participant who takes notes, offers support, organizes documents, and consults with the party without disrupting the proceeding (§VIII).

The procedure’s hearing rules (§V.E) say:

  • A Decision-Maker who is not the Title IX Coordinator runs the live hearing. Hearings are closed to the public, held remotely on a virtual platform, and recorded.
  • Advisors, not parties, ask the other party and witnesses relevant questions. Questions must be approved by the Decision-Maker, who decides relevance before a question is answered and explains any exclusion. An advisor who does not comply is dismissed from the hearing.
  • The university provides an advisor, without fee or charge, to any party who needs one. The Title IX Coordinator selects that advisor.
  • Scheduling conflicts and accommodation requests go to the Title IX Coordinator "at least three (3) days prior to the hearing date." The procedure does not say whether these are business or calendar days.
  • If a party or witness does not submit to cross-examination, the Decision-Maker must not rely on that person’s statements, but may not draw an inference about responsibility solely from the absence or refusal (§V.E.1).

These rules follow the 2020 federal Title IX regulations that the policy cites. Confirm the hearing format for your case with the office before relying on them.

The Decision-Maker issues a written determination to both parties at the same time, using a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard. It includes findings of fact, the rationale for each allegation, any sanctions, and information about how to appeal (§V.E.3). The procedure lists the factors used to choose a sanction and points to Section 7(F) of the Student Code of Conduct for the list of possible sanctions. The policy says sanctions may include expulsion and a campus ban (policy §VI). The procedure says discipline records are kept for seven years as part of a disciplinary record separate from the transcript.

Supportive Measures

The procedure defines supportive measures as individualized services, reasonably available, that are non-punitive, non-disciplinary, and not unreasonably burdensome to the other party, meant to preserve equal educational access, protect safety, or deter misconduct (§VIII). Its sample list includes counseling referrals, a campus no-contact agreement, rescheduled exams, class schedule changes, housing changes, limits on access to certain university facilities or activities while the matter is pending, a voluntary leave of absence, and transportation changes.

Some of these, such as a no-contact agreement or limits on facility access, can affect a respondent directly. The procedure describes explaining supportive measures to the Complainant at the preliminary meeting, and says the coordinator communicates with both parties about necessary supportive measures when a criminal investigation is running at the same time (§§V.A.1, V.D.3(i)). It does not set out a separate request process for respondents. If you need a measure, ask the Title IX office in writing. The procedure says a respondent’s violation of a supportive measure should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator (§VII).

Appeals

Under §VI.A, both parties may appeal a determination regarding responsibility and may appeal from a dismissal of a Formal Complaint or any allegation in it. The procedure’s timing sentence says a written appeal request goes to the Title IX Coordinator "within five (5) business days of the University’s determination." The grounds are:

  1. A procedural irregularity that affected the outcome.
  2. Newly discovered evidence that could affect the outcome.
  3. A conflict of interest or bias by the Title IX Coordinator that affected the outcome.

The appeal is not a new review of the whole case. If neither party appeals within the time frame, the written determination becomes final. If a party appeals, the Title IX Coordinator issues a Notice of Appeal, an Appeal Chair holds a separate prehearing meeting with each party and advisor, and the Decision-Maker decides whether sanctions or remedies are paused while the appeal is pending. The procedure also says a conflict or bias argument about the Title IX Coordinator is lost for appeal if no timely challenge was made during the investigation (§V.D.3(ii)).

The five-business-day sentence refers to "the University’s determination." It does not separately say when a dismissal appeal is due. If you receive a dismissal notice, do not assume the same clock applies. Check the notice and ask the office in writing, promptly, for the dismissal appeal deadline.

Section VI.B also refers students to the University of Louisiana System Board bylaws (Part Two, Chapter II, Section XIX) for which issues may be appealed to the University of Louisiana System.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which document controls my case?
The repository lists the September 16, 2026 policy revision with a student procedure headed May 1, 2023, while the Title IX office site links February 2023 and 2021 copies. Ask the Title IX office to confirm in writing which versions apply to your matter.

Can a lawyer be my advisor?
The procedure lets you choose a Support Person/Advisor at your own expense and excludes only someone who is otherwise a party or witness. It does not mention attorneys. The university provides an advisor without charge for the hearing if you need one.

How long do I have to respond to the evidence and the investigative report?
The procedure gives ten days for each, starting from different events, and does not say whether those are business or calendar days. Use the due date in the written message that sends you the materials and confirm it with the office.

How long do I have to appeal?
The procedure says five business days of the university’s determination, in writing to the Title IX Coordinator. For a dismissal, confirm the deadline from your dismissal notice and with the office, because the procedure does not state it separately.

Does a Title IX dismissal end the matter?
Not necessarily. The procedure says a mandatory Title IX dismissal does not preclude action under another provision of the Student Code of Conduct.

Who should I contact at the university?
University pages currently name different people as Title IX Coordinator. Use the shared titleix@louisiana.edu address or the Title IX office contact page.

More guides for Louisiana schools: Louisiana Title IX lawyer.

Legal Review: Reviewed by Attorney T. Matthews, Esquire

Disclaimer

This page is general educational information about publicly posted University of Louisiana at Lafayette policy documents as observed on September 25, 2026. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. It does not calculate any deadline or predict any outcome. Confirm the governing versions, your due dates, and the current contacts with the university’s Title IX office, and speak with a licensed attorney about your own situation.

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