If you are a University of Nevada, Reno student searching for a UNR Title IX lawyer after receiving notice of a sexual-harassment complaint, this page walks through the general shape of the process. It does not replace the written notice sent to you, and it does not replace advice from a lawyer who has reviewed your specific case.
This page is not affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Nevada, Reno, the Nevada System of Higher Education, or any office named below. It is general educational material, not legal advice. The primary rules and procedures referenced in this guide are published in NSHE Board Handbook, Title 4, Chapter 8 (PDF) and UNR Title IX Complaint Process.
Which Policy Applies to Your Case
UNR handles sexual-harassment complaints under Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board Handbook Title 4, Chapter 8. That chapter separates Title IX sexual-harassment cases from other discrimination or harassment matters. The two tracks have different procedures, so the first thing to confirm is which one applies to you.
There is currently a discrepancy between how UNR’s own policy page describes the section number and how the campus Title IX complaint-process page and the Student Code describe the same procedure. The Student Code landing page states it was revised in late August 2026, but that revision date by itself does not tell you which version of the section numbering or procedural rules controls your case.
Because of this, do not rely on a section number alone. Contact the Center for Civil Rights & Equal Access (CCREA), UNR’s Title IX office, and ask them to confirm in writing which policy version and which procedural section governs your specific notice. Which version applies to you depends on the date of your notice and the date of the incident, so check the policy your notice cites. The office is reachable at [email protected] or (775) 784-1547.
Report vs. Formal Complaint
A report to the Title IX office is not the same as a formal complaint. A report can lead to supportive measures without triggering a full investigation. A formal complaint opens the grievance process described in NSHE policy, including investigation, an evidence-review stage, and potentially a hearing.
NSHE policy also distinguishes Title IX sexual-harassment complaints from other discrimination or harassment complaints that follow a separate track with its own complaint period. If your notice references a non-Title IX process, do not assume the timelines or steps described on this page apply. Ask CCREA which track your matter is proceeding under.
Early Steps After You Receive a Notice
Read the entire notice carefully, including any dates it lists. The notice itself is the primary source for deadlines that apply to you, and this page does not substitute for it.
Preserve anything relevant: text messages, emails, social media exchanges, photos, and any other records connected to the allegation. Do not delete or alter anything, even if it seems unhelpful to you. Write down your own timeline of events while it is fresh, but keep that separate from anything you submit until you understand what the process asks for.
You may request supportive measures at this stage. These are available to both the person who reported and the person responding, and they are individualized to the situation. Examples can include changes to class schedules, no-contact directives, or housing adjustments, though what is available depends on your circumstances and is decided by the university, not by this page.
Consider identifying an advisor early. Under NSHE policy, you are entitled to an advisor of your choice, and that advisor does not have to be an attorney. If you do not have an advisor by the time of a hearing, the institution will provide one to you without a fee for the questioning portion of the hearing.
Investigation and Evidence
NSHE policy requires written notice of the allegations, a presumption that a respondent is not responsible until a determination is made, and an equal opportunity for both parties to present evidence.
NSHE policy provides an evidence-review stage and time to submit a response to the evidence. The investigative report is sent separately before a hearing or other determination. The policy describes these as separate periods but does not label their days as calendar or business days in the cited provisions. Read the specific notices for each stage and ask CCREA to confirm the applicable dates in writing.
Advisor and Hearing
If your case proceeds to a hearing, your advisor will conduct any questioning of the other party or witnesses on your behalf. You do not question the other party directly.
There is currently a disagreement between the system-level policy and the campus-level materials regarding whether a hearing officer may consider statements from a witness who is not present for questioning. Because campus and system sources describe this differently, this page does not state a rule either way. Ask CCREA to confirm, in writing, how this issue will be handled in your hearing before you finalize your hearing preparation or your choice of advisor.
The standard used to decide responsibility is preponderance of the evidence, meaning whether it is more likely than not that the conduct occurred. After a live hearing, NSHE policy calls for a written determination within 14 calendar days of that hearing, though the policy also allows extensions for good cause. No specific completion date for your case can be promised from this general information.
Supportive Measures
Supportive measures can be requested at any point in the process, not only at the start. They are available to complainants and respondents alike and are meant to be individualized rather than automatic. If your needs change while the case is pending, you can ask CCREA to revisit what is available to you.
Appeals
If you receive a determination of responsibility, or if your case is dismissed, you generally have the right to appeal. However, campus materials and the current system-level handbook state different lengths for that appeal window. Because of this conflict, this page does not state an exact number of days as your appeal deadline.
UNR’s campus complaint page says the written determination will communicate a deadline. Use the appeal deadline stated in your own written determination, and confirm it with CCREA before it runs. This page cannot resolve the conflict between the campus and system texts.
Also note that a dismissal under the Title IX route does not necessarily end all university proceedings. The same underlying conduct can sometimes be addressed under a different NSHE policy section or under the Student Code, so a dismissal notice should still be read carefully for any next steps.
FAQ
Does this page tell me my exact appeal deadline?
No. Campus and system sources currently describe different appeal windows, and this page will not guess between them. The campus complaint-process page says your written determination will communicate a deadline. Confirm the controlling deadline with CCREA in writing.
Can my advisor be a lawyer?
Yes. NSHE policy allows an advisor of your choice, and that advisor can be an attorney, though it does not have to be one.
Will the hearing officer consider a statement from someone who does not appear at the hearing?
This is currently unsettled between system and campus sources. Ask CCREA to confirm the applicable rule before your hearing.
What if I am not sure whether my case is a Title IX matter or a different kind of complaint?
Ask CCREA directly. The two tracks have different procedures and different timelines, and mixing them up can cause you to miss something important.
Can I still request accommodations while the investigation is ongoing?
Yes. Supportive measures are available throughout the process, not just at the beginning, and are open to both parties.
How long will the whole process take?
There is no fixed timeline that applies to every case. Some periods, such as the 14-calendar-day written determination window after a hearing, are specified, but extensions for good cause are allowed elsewhere in the policy.
More guides for Nevada schools: Nevada Title IX lawyer.
Disclaimer
This page is provided for general educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or reviewed by the University of Nevada, Reno or the Nevada System of Higher Education. Official sources conflict on some procedures, section numbers, and deadlines described here, and you should confirm current requirements directly with CCREA or NSHE before taking any action based on this content.
