Students who look for a University of Toledo Title IX lawyer usually want to know what happens after a sexual misconduct allegation and which deadlines matter. This page summarizes the University’s posted policy documents for student respondents. It is general information, not legal advice, and it does not replace the notice you received.
Which policy applies
The University of Toledo’s Title IX policies page says the University "is currently operating under" these documents:
- Policy 3364-50-01, Title IX Policy, effective October 17, 2025.
- Procedure 3364-50-01.01, Title IX Procedures, also effective October 17, 2025, with Appendix A (Statement of Rights for Parties).
- Student Code of Conduct 3364-30-04, revised August 25, 2025, which covers student sexual misconduct under Code section (E)(2).
The Procedures list a next review date of June 1, 2026. As of September 25, 2026, no newer version was posted. Check the live PDFs before relying on any figure below. Which version applies to your case can depend on the date of the incident and the date of your notice, so check the version your notice names and confirm it with the Title IX office.
Student respondents can be on one of two routes. If the Title IX Coordinator finds the alleged conduct within Title IX, the Title IX grievance process applies. If not, the complaint is dismissed from the Title IX process, which does not limit the University’s authority to address it another way (Procedures (B)(f)). For student sexual misconduct outside Title IX, the Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards decides whether to investigate under Code (E)(2). If so, the Office of Title IX investigates, gives both parties the draft investigation report for a 10-business-day review, and sends the final report to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards for next steps (Procedures (B), (K)).
The University decides which route applies. The routes have different hearings, appeal grounds and deadlines, so check which one your notice names.
Report vs. formal complaint
A report can go to the Title IX Coordinator, an Official with Authority, the online form, or an anonymous hotline. Reporting "carries no obligation to initiate a formal response" (Policy (I)).
A Formal Complaint is a document submitted or signed by the complainant, or signed by the Title IX Coordinator, that alleges a policy violation and asks the University to investigate (Policy (E), (I)). The Coordinator may sign one even if the complainant declines, after a risk assessment (Policy (R)).
After notice, the Coordinator starts at least one of three responses: supportive measures only, informal resolution, or the formal grievance process with an investigation and hearing. The last two require a formal complaint (Procedures (A)).
Title IX informal resolution is voluntary and limited to cases with a student complainant and a student respondent. Either party may request it in writing after written notice of a formal complaint and before a finding of responsibility; both must consent in writing and the Coordinator must approve. Either party may withdraw before signing. A signed agreement is final, cannot be appealed, and does not appear on the respondent’s disciplinary record, though breaching it can lead to discipline (Procedures (C)). The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards has a separate informal resolution process for Code (E)(2) matters that are not being resolved under Title IX.
Early steps after notice
When a formal complaint is received, the Title IX Coordinator sends the respondent a Notice of Investigation and Allegations (NOIA). It includes the allegations, the policy sections involved, a statement that the respondent is presumed not responsible unless and until the evidence supports a different determination, potential sanctions, the investigators’ names, and an instruction to preserve directly related evidence. Notice is presumed delivered once it is mailed, emailed, or handed over in person (Procedures (G)).
A formal complaint can be dismissed from the Title IX process. Dismissal is mandatory if, for example, the conduct would not meet the policy’s sexual harassment definition even if proved. It is discretionary if, for example, the respondent is no longer enrolled (Procedures (B)(h)). Both parties receive written notice with the reasons. A dismissal, or a decision not to dismiss, can be appealed. The Procedures point to "Section AF" for this, but the appeals section is (AG), and no separate deadline for a dismissal appeal is written. Follow any deadline stated in the dismissal notice and confirm it with the Title IX office right away.
While a Title IX allegation is pending, the University may hold graduation, an official transcript, or a diploma (Procedures (AF); Code (K)(1)(c)).
Investigation and evidence
Investigators gather evidence but make no findings or recommendations. You may suggest witnesses and questions for the investigators (Procedures (M)).
- Draft report and evidence: before the investigation ends, parties and advisors receive the draft investigation report and all directly related evidence, including evidence the University does not intend to rely on, "for a ten (10) business day review and comment period." A party may waive the full period (Procedures (M)(o)).
- Final report: shared "at least fourteen (14) business days prior to a hearing" (Procedures (M)(s), (U)).
Procedures (P) states a different minimum: the hearing "cannot be less than ten (10) business days" from the final report’s transmission unless all parties and decision-makers agree to go faster. Appendix A also refers to at least 10 business days. Use the dates printed in your own hearing notice.
Advisor and hearing
Each party may have an advisor of choice, such as a friend, family member or attorney, at all meetings, interviews and hearings they attend in the formal grievance process (Procedures (E)). The Title IX office makes a pool of advisors available; they are trained on Title IX but are not acting as attorneys and cannot give legal advice (Procedures (E)(1)). Advisors may not answer questions for you.
For a student respondent, a three-member panel hears the case at a live hearing, in person or virtual (Procedures (Q), (T)). The clocks before the hearing, all in business days, include:
- Hearing notice: no less than 14 business days before the hearing (Procedures (S)).
- Your hearing advisor’s name and contact details: at least 5 business days before (Procedures (E)(8)).
- Requests for a separate room or accommodations, and notice that a witness cannot attend in person: at least 7 business days before (Procedures (S), (T)).
- Written bias objections to a panel member: no later than 5 business days before (Procedures (U)).
Parties may not question each other directly. Advisors conduct cross-examination, and a party may not proceed without an advisor; the University appoints one for questioning if needed (Procedures (E)(3), (S)(h)). If a party or witness will not submit to cross-examination, the panel may not rely on that person’s prior statements, but it may not draw an inference solely from the refusal (Procedures (Z)).
The panel decides by a preponderance of the evidence and a simple majority (Procedures (AB)). The deliberation statement is due to the Coordinator within 5 business days after deliberations end, and the Notice of Outcome goes to the parties within 7 business days after the Coordinator receives it (Procedures (AB), (AC)).
Possible student sanctions range from a written warning and conduct probation to suspension, expulsion, and withholding or revoking a degree (Procedures (AE)(1)).
On the Code route, the respondent is offered an information meeting, usually with at least 3 business days’ notice. Each party picks a single hearing authority or the Sexual Misconduct Board; if they pick differently, the Board hears the case, and the office may assign a hearing authority itself. Hearing notice gives at least 10 business days. The Code describes questioning in two ways. For sexual misconduct hearings it says the complainant is expected to be cross-examined by the respondent, and that cross-examination may be conducted through the hearing authority or board chair. It also says the parties may submit suggested questions in writing before the hearing, to be asked by the hearing authority (Code (G)(5), (G)(6), (G)(11)).
Supportive measures
Supportive measures are offered to the parties upon notice. They are free, non-disciplinary and individualized, and are provided as appropriate and reasonably available (Policy (J)). Examples include counseling referrals, housing or schedule changes, academic support, and mutual no contact directives. No specific measure is promised.
Emergency removal. After an individualized safety and risk analysis finds an immediate threat to physical health or safety, the Dean of Students (or a designee) may place a student on interim suspension, effective immediately. The student gets written reasons and a show-cause meeting, may bring an advisor, and receives a written summary of the basis before the meeting. The decision after the meeting is final with no further appeal (Policy (L)). The Student Code adds that this decision is sent within 14 business days of the start of the interim suspension (Code (F)(1)(g)); the Title IX Policy states no time limit.
Appeals
Title IX route. Any party may appeal in writing to the Title IX Coordinator "within five (5) Business Days of the delivery of the Notice of Outcome" (Procedures (AG)). Grounds are limited to a procedural irregularity that affected the outcome, new evidence not reasonably available earlier, or a conflict of interest or bias that affected the outcome. The other side has 7 business days to respond to approved grounds, and the appeal decision is due in 18 business days barring exigent circumstances. Sanctions are generally stayed during the appeal. The Procedures also describe sanctions applied right after a hearing, with a hearing on the justification permitted within 48 hours, and holds may remain when the sanction included separation (Procedures (AG)(3)).
Code route. A respondent may appeal "within five business days of the decision" (Code (I)(2)(a)). Only two grounds apply: new evidence that could substantially affect the finding or sanction, or a procedural error that significantly affected the outcome. The other party has 5 business days to respond (Code (I)(1), (I)(2)(c)). Sanctions take effect immediately unless otherwise specified, and a party who skips the information meeting or hearing forfeits the right to appeal (Code (I)(3), (I)(7)).
FAQ
Can my advisor be an attorney?
Yes. The Title IX Procedures allow an advisor of choice, including an attorney. No attorney is required, and University pool advisors are not attorneys. On the Code route, a party whose advisor is an attorney must tell the conduct office in writing as soon as possible before the hearing (Code (G)(8)(e)).
Will I question the complainant directly?
Not on the Title IX route, where parties may not question each other and advisors conduct cross-examination. The Student Code route is worded differently: it expects the complainant to be cross-examined by the respondent, possibly through the hearing authority or board chair, and it also allows written questions asked by the hearing authority. Ask the conduct office which format your hearing will use.
What if I withdraw from the University?
The Title IX Procedures say the Title IX process ends if a student respondent permanently withdraws, but the student may not return (Procedures (AF)). The Student Code says it still applies to a student who withdraws while a conduct matter is pending (Code (D)(2)). Do not assume withdrawal ends a case.
How long does the process take?
The Procedures set no fixed total length (Procedures (H)). Individual steps have their own business-day clocks, listed above.
More guides for Ohio schools: Ohio Title IX lawyer.
Disclaimer
This page is general educational information based on publicly posted University of Toledo documents. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Toledo. Confirm every deadline against your own notice and the current posted policy and procedures, and contact the University’s Title IX office with questions about your case.
