Respondent Support Resources
Health and Counseling Center (Confidential)
704 E. Sharp Ave
(509) 313-4052
Monday-Friday
8am-5pm
Center for Cura Personalis (CCP)
Crosby Hall Second Floor
(509)313-2227
M-F 8am-5pm
Mission and Ministry Office
Hemmingson 104
(509) 313-4242
M-F 8am-5pm
Ways we can help
The Title IX Office is a neutral office, and strives to conduct investigations in a thorough, impartial, prompt, and fair manner. We are committed to a fair, unbiased, and consistent environment where every student is treated with dignity and respect and is granted the appropriate procedural protections afforded by Gonzaga Policy or applicable Federal or State law.
The University will offer and implement appropriate and reasonable supportive measures to the Parties upon notice of alleged sexual harassment and/or as appropriate. Supportive measures are non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services offered as appropriate, as reasonably available, and without fee or charge to the Parties to restore or preserve access to the University’s education program or activity, including measures designed to protect the safety of all Parties or the University’s educational environment, and/or deter sexual harassment.
The University will maintain the privacy of the supportive measures, provided that privacy does not impair the University’s ability to provide the supportive measures. The University will act to ensure as minimal an academic/occupational impact on the Parties as possible. The University will implement measures in a way that does not unreasonably burden the other Party. These actions may include, but are not limited to:
- Contact/Communication Directives: The Complainant or Respondent may request, or Gonzaga may impose, even if not requested, communication and contact restrictions to prevent further potentially harmful interaction. Any such request shall be made to the investigator. Upon request the investigator assigned to the case will inform the Reporting Party or Respondent of options and will endeavor to accommodate the requested changes if they are reasonably available. In some cases, an individual may wish to consider a protection/anti-harassment order issued by the appropriate court of the State of Washington. This is a civil proceeding independent of Gonzaga. If a court order is issued Gonzaga will, to the extent possible, assist the protected person in benefitting from the restrictions imposed by the court and will also facilitate on-campus compliance with the order. The court enforces the order through law enforcement. Gonzaga does not enforce the order but does enforce its own rules.
- Academic, Employment or Living Arrangements: A Complainant or Respondent may request, or Gonzaga may impose, even if not requested, a change in academic, employment or living situation after a report of sexual misconduct, harassment or discrimination. Upon request Gonzaga will inform the Complainant or Respondent of the options and will endeavor to accommodate the requested changes if they are reasonably available. Interim changes may include:
- Class or work schedule changes
- Limiting access to certain Gonzaga facilities or activities
- Leave of Absence
- Campus Security escorts across campus
- Academic support services
- Other remedies which can be tailored to the involved parties to achieve the goals of this policy
- Emotional Support: Gonzaga provides counseling services through the Health and Counseling Center for students, or the Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) for staff and faculty. These resources also provide referrals to off campus agencies
- Other actions deemed appropriate by the Title IX Coordinator.
What to do if I am accused of Sexual Misconduct?
If you have been reported to have committed act(s) of sexual misconduct, it is likely that you have many questions and may be experiencing a range of emotions such as helplessness, anger, confusion, or betrayal. You may be unsure how to respond to the situation and who is available to support you. You are not required to be part of an official investigation to access resources on and off campus.
Presumption of Innocence and Due Process
Please know that the Respondent is presumed not responsible for the alleged conduct and that a determination regarding responsibility is made at the conclusion of the grievance process. You will get an opportunity to be heard, to have witnesses interviewed and to provide evidence that supports that you did not violate policy. You have a right to a fair process, and to be connected to resources to support you as you go through this process. Do not hesitate to ask the Title IX Coordinator for connection to support and resources throughout the process.
Tips for navigating the process and connecting to support:
- Read through the Title IX Sexual Misconduct Policy and/or the Harassment and Discrimination Policy thoroughly.
- You may find it helpful to reach out to a personal support person such as a friend, parent, or other trusted individual to help you process.
- Making an appointment with a counselor at the Health and Counseling Center by calling 509-313-4052.
- Before blocking someone, and If available, save all communications, photographs, and documentation regarding or in exchange with the alleged offender and/or witnesses via voicemail, text, social media, or email about the incident. Do not delete or alter electronic evidence, photographs, texts, emails, uber receipts, social media posts and messages, etc.
- Following any and all directions of no-contact directives issued by the University
- If the allegations are recent, asking the University to preserve any available video or electronic data within our control. You may ask the Title IX Coordinator to see if there is any available data relevant to your evidence preservation needs.
- Inquiring about options for resolution including but not limited to investigation, mediation, and restorative processes.
- Report any retaliation you may experience promptly to Campus Security and/or the Title IX Coordinator
- Ask questions.
How to prepare for first meeting with Title IX Coordinator
Gonzaga University understands the strain that such a process can place on your academic, work, and social life. We can help. During our first meeting, while the Title Coordinator can explain further the allegations. During this meeting, you are not expected, nor will you be asked to respond to the allegations in this first meeting. Rather, this meeting is meant to help you understand your rights, your support options, and our process. We want you to understand and be able to navigate the process and connect you to resources for support and guidance. During the first meeting with the Title IX Coordinator, we will discuss the following, including but not limited to:
- Your rights in the process
- Considerations for navigating the process, including:
- No Contact Directives,
- Academic Support and Interim Measures, and
- Connection to Emotional Support Resources
- Location and understanding the applicable policies
- What to expect in an investigation
- Refer you to campus and community resources, such as for counseling and other needs
- Assist with securing an interpreter or translator, if needed
- Review of documents and materials, including documents related to the investigation, the final report, and sanctioning agreements, to assist in understanding the process
- Assistance with appropriate academic or other reasonable support measures
- Help with understanding the formal and informal processes, potential outcomes, and the appeals process.
The Title IX Coordinator will respect your privacy but is not a confidential resource. They are not permitted to offer legal advise or guide you in how to respond to the allegations. It is important that you know you have the right to an advisor in our process at every meeting and at every stage. For more information on advisors, please visit the Advisor sections of the Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy and the Advisor sections of the Student Code of Conduct and the Harassment and Discrimination Policies.