Title IX Policy Terminology

There is certain terminology used in both the policy and procedures that are important for you to know. Additionally, members of the Title IX team will use these terms in their written and verbal communication. Below is a chart of the most common terminology used and its definition:

Actual Knowledge
Notice of sexual harassment or allegations of sexual harassment to the College’s Title IX Coordinator or any official of Western Iowa Tech who has the authority to institute corrective measure on behalf of the College.
Complainant
An individual who is alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sexual harassment.
Formal Complaint
A document filed by a Complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator alleging sexual harassment against a Respondent and requesting that the College investigate the allegations of sexual harassment.
Respondent
An individual who has been reported to be the perpetrator of conduct that could constitute sexual harassment.
Supportive Measures
Non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services offered as appropriate, as reasonably available, and without fee or charge to the Complainant or the Respondent before or after the filing of a formal complaint or where no formal complaint has been filed.
Advisor
A person chosen by a party or appointed by the institution to accompany the party to meetings related to the resolution process, to advise the party on that process, and to conduct questioning for the party at the hearing, if any.
Confidential Resource
An employee who is not a Mandated Reporter of notice of harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation.
Decision-Maker
The person, panel, and/or Chair who hears evidence, determines relevance, and makes the final determination of whether the policy has been violated and/or assigns sanctions.
Investigator
The person or persons designated by Western Iowa Tech to gather facts about an alleged violation of the policy, assess relevance and credibility, synthesize the evidence, and compile this information into an investigation report of relevant evidence and a file of directly related evidence.
Mandated Reporter
An employee of the College who is obligated by policy to share knowledge, notice, and/or reports of harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation with the Title IX Coordinator. All WIT employees who are not identified as confidential, are mandated reporters.
Notice
When an employee, student, or third-party informs the Title IX Coordinator or other Official with Authority of the alleged occurrence of harassing, discriminatory, and/or retaliatory conduct.
Official with Authority (OWA)
An employee of Western Iowa Tech explicitly vested with the responsibility to implement corrective measures for harassment discrimination, and/or retaliation on behalf of the College.
Parties
The Complainant(s) and Respondent(s), collectively.