If you are looking for a University of Mississippi Title IX lawyer after being named as a respondent, start with your actual written notice and the policy route it identifies. This page gives general educational information. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. It is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the University of Mississippi. Nothing here should be treated as a substitute for getting written clarification from the university’s Equal Opportunity and Regulatory Compliance office (EORC) or Title IX Coordinator.
If you have received a notice of investigation, notice of charge, or any communication naming you as a respondent, do not set it aside. Read it carefully and note who sent it, what office issued it, and what policy it cites.
Two Different Policies May Apply
The University of Mississippi currently maintains two separate policies that can apply to a student respondent, and it matters which one governs your case.
The first is the Title IX Policy, ACA.EO.100.012, shown on the university’s policy directory as Approved and Activated effective February 17, 2025. The current version is available as an active PDF. This policy covers conduct that falls within the federal definition of Title IX sexual harassment and related sex discrimination as scoped by that policy.
The second is the separate Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy, ACA.EO.100.022, also active effective February 17, 2025, with its own active PDF. This policy generally applies to student respondents accused of sex-based misconduct that falls outside the federal Title IX scope, and it also covers sexual exploitation whether or not that conduct falls inside or outside Title IX’s scope.
These two policies have different evidentiary timelines and different report lead times before a hearing, described below. Because the wording differs between them, do not assume one policy’s numbers apply to a case actually charged under the other.
Older PDF versions dated December 2024 sometimes still appear in search results. The version that applies to you can depend on the date of the incident and the date of your notice, so check the policy version named in your notice and confirm it with EORC. Check the version currently marked "active" on the university’s policy directory, and confirm with EORC which specific policy is cited in your written charge.
A dismissal of a complaint under the Title IX policy does not automatically end the matter. The same underlying conduct may still be reviewed under the interpersonal-violence policy if it falls within that policy’s scope. Ask EORC directly which policy and process actually govern your case; the answer should come from your written notice, not from an assumption based on how the allegation was first described to you.
Report Versus Formal Complaint
A report to the university is not the same thing as a formal complaint that opens a grievance process. A report may lead to supportive measures, an initial assessment, or outreach from EORC without necessarily triggering a full investigation. A formal complaint, by contrast, is what generally initiates the investigation and hearing process described in the applicable policy. If you are unsure whether what you received is a report, a notice of investigation, or a formal charge, ask EORC in writing to confirm the status of your matter and which document controls.
Early Steps After Notice
If you have been named as a respondent, consider the following steps early:
- Preserve the notice itself, along with any other written communications from the university, without altering them.
- Identify the date of the alleged conduct, since the applicable policy version can depend on when the conduct is alleged to have occurred.
- Confirm in writing which of the two policies (Title IX or interpersonal-violence) is cited as the basis for your case.
- Save relevant messages, documents, and any other materials related to the allegation.
- Consider identifying an advisor early, since an advisor’s role becomes significant at the hearing stage.
- Ask EORC in writing for the specific dates that apply to your matter, rather than estimating them yourself.
Investigation and Evidence Review
Both policies give a respondent an opportunity to review evidence gathered during the investigation before a final report is issued. Under the Title IX policy, parties have 10 business days to respond in writing to evidence that is directly related to the allegations before the investigator finalizes the investigative report. Under the separate interpersonal-violence policy, parties also have 10 business days to respond to evidence, using the same type of window.
Where the two policies diverge is in how far in advance of a hearing the final report must be sent. Under the Title IX policy, the final investigative report must be sent to the parties at least 10 business days before the hearing or other responsibility determination. Under the interpersonal-violence policy, the final report must be sent at least five business days before the hearing or other determination. These are separate, non-interchangeable windows tied to separate policies, so confirm which one applies to your case before calculating any date.
Advisor and Hearing
Under the Title IX policy, a respondent is presumed not responsible until a determination is made. A party may bring an advisor of their choosing to the process. At the live hearing, the advisor is the one who conducts cross-examination of the other party and witnesses; a party does not cross-examine directly. If a party does not have an advisor, the university will provide one for purposes of the hearing.
Supportive Measures
Supportive measures may be available to a respondent independent of the outcome of any investigation. These are generally non-punitive and are meant to address safety, wellbeing, or access to university programs while a matter is pending. Ask EORC or the Title IX Coordinator directly what supportive measures are currently available to you and how to request them.
Appeals
Appeal rights differ depending on which policy applies and depending on whether you are appealing a dismissal or a full determination. Do not assume the numbers below overlap; read each carefully.
Under the Title IX policy’s general appeal section, a student respondent has 10 business days from receipt of the Independent Decision-Maker’s decision to submit a written appeal to the Appellate Consideration Board. The other party then has 10 business days to respond after receiving notice of the appeal.
Separately, the Title IX policy’s dismissal section states that a party may appeal a dismissal by notifying the Title IX Coordinator in writing within 10 business days of the dismissal. The later appeals section states that a student’s appeal of a dismissal goes to the Appellate Consideration Board within 10 business days of receipt of the dismissal notice. These passages differ in the stated trigger and recipient. Because of that difference, this page does not state a single definitive rule for calculating a dismissal appeal deadline. If you are appealing a dismissal, read your notice and ask EORC promptly in writing which trigger date and recipient control.
Under the separate interpersonal-violence policy, a student’s general appeal of a determination or dismissal notice goes to the Appellate Consideration Board within 10 business days from receipt of that notice. That policy’s earlier dismissal section also references notice to the Title IX Coordinator within ten business days of dismissal. As with the Title IX policy, ask EORC to reconcile these two passages against your actual dismissal notice before relying on a specific date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which policy applies to my case?
It depends on the nature of the allegation and, in some instances, the date of the conduct. Your written charge should identify the policy. If it does not clearly say, ask EORC in writing.
Can I have a lawyer as my advisor?
The policies allow an advisor of choice, who may be an attorney. Under the Title IX route, the university provides an advisor for hearing cross-examination if a party lacks one. Confirm the advisor’s role under your actual policy and notice with EORC.
What happens if my case is dismissed under Title IX?
A Title IX dismissal does not necessarily end the matter. The conduct may still be reviewed under the separate interpersonal-violence policy if it falls within that policy’s scope.
How many days do I have to respond to evidence?
Under both policies, parties generally have 10 business days to respond in writing to evidence before the final report. The report’s lead time before a hearing differs: at least 10 business days under Title IX, at least five business days under the interpersonal-violence policy.
How do I calculate my appeal deadline?
This depends on the policy, whether the appeal concerns a dismissal or a determination, and the actual notice. Read it immediately, preserve the send and receipt dates, and ask EORC promptly in writing if the trigger or recipient is unclear.
Where can I read the actual policies?
The current active versions are linked in the Sources section below. Always check the university’s policy directory for the version marked "active."
More guides for Mississippi schools: Mississippi Title IX lawyer.
Disclaimer
This page is provided for general educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. This page is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the University of Mississippi. Procedures, deadlines, and policy text can change; always confirm current requirements against your actual written notice and the university’s current published policy. If you want to discuss your specific situation, you may contact us, though doing so does not create representation.
Sources
- University of Mississippi Title IX Policy ACA.EO.100.012 (policy directory entry)
- Title IX Policy ACA.EO.100.012, active PDF
- Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy ACA.EO.100.022 (policy directory entry)
- Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy ACA.EO.100.022, active PDF
- UM Safe Policy Hub
- UM Safe Respondent FAQ: "I’ve Been Accused"
