Title IX

A formal complaint asks the University to investigate whether the University's policies related to sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct have been violated.

Formal complaints are submitted to the University Title IX Coordinator and investigated by the Office of Title IX. If there is a finding of a policy violation by a Minot State University student, the Hearing Officers will consider appropriate sanctions, ranging from an admonition or warning up to and including dismissal or expulsion. The Title IX Coordinator can answer questions about the process for filing a formal complaint, and speaking to a Title IX Coordinator does not automatically trigger a formal complaint.

File a Formal Complaint

You may file a formal complaint alleging a violation of the University policies. To file a formal complaint, please submit your complaint in writing to the University Title IX Coordinator. Please note, your formal complaint:

• must be a document or electronic submission
• must contain your physical or digital signature, or otherwise indicates that you are the person filing the formal complaint
• must allege sexual harassment or other sexual misconduct against an individual and request that the University investigate the allegation(s)
• should state the name (if known) of the individual who you are alleging engaged in sexual harassment or other sexual misconduct and describe with reasonable specificity the incident(s) of alleged sexual harassment or other sexual misconduct, including the date and place of such incident(s).
• must be in your own words, and may not be authored by others, including family members, advisors, or attorneys
• should have an attached list of any sources of information (for example, witnesses, correspondence, records, and the like) that you believe may be relevant to the investigation.

Your complaint should not be delayed if such sources of information are unknown or unavailable.

Report to Law Enforcement - Criminal Process

If You Decide to Report the Incident to Law Enforcement

• Contact the police in the municipality where the sexual assault took place as they have jurisdiction to investigate. If you are unsure, contact the Campus Security and they will assist you.
• If the assault occurred on university property, contact the Campus Security or Minot Police Department. The Minot Police Department non-emergency number is 701-858-0111.
• Although a patrol officer is generally the first to respond, a trained detective will do the investigation. Police, in order to investigate the crime, will interview the survivor, collect evidence from the crime scene, receive the evidence obtained at the hospital, take a formal statement and protect the survivor’s anonymity.
• The survivor is entitled to request the presence of a Victim Advocate during the interview. If you would like to speak with an advocate or have an advocate present, contact the Domestic Violence Crisis Center, 701-852-2258.
• The interview will usually focus on the events prior to the initial contact with the assailant, a detailed account of the behavior and words used by the survivor and the assailant, a detailed account of the assault and a description of the assailant.

Prosecution

There are many steps that occur from the time a survivor reports to the final outcome of a prosecution. If the criminal charge is pursued further, the police and/or an advocate can talk with you about next steps.

• Sexual assault is a crime that is prosecuted by the state. The survivor is assigned an attorney from the Prosecutor’s Office where the assault took place.
• Once the police finish their investigation, all evidence is turned over to the Prosecutor’s Office, where it is reviewed and then make decisions regarding the case.
• The survivor becomes a witness, if the case moves forward.
• The law also limits the admissible evidence concerning the survivor’s prior sexual activity.
• There are several steps to the prosecution process including issuance of a warrant, arrest, arraignment, grand jury and the trial. Some steps require the survivor’s presence in court.

All faculty and staff at Minot State are Responsible Employees in the scope of their role, unless otherwise designated as a confidential resource. 

If a Responsible Employee learns of an incident of sexual harassment or other sexual misconduct impacting a Minot State community member, they are required to promptly share that information with a Title IX Coordinator. Below are steps to follow specifically if the disclosure involves a student at Minot State University. 

Step 1: Receive a Disclosure

A disclosure is any information shared with a Responsible Employee related to sexual harassment or other sexual misconduct impacting a Minot State community member. A disclosure may be direct or indirect; may relate to sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, domestic violence, sexual harassment, gender-based harassment (based on sexual orientation or gender identity), or other sexual misconduct; may have occurred on or off-campus and in Minot State's programs or activities, or not; and may be an experience prior to enrollment, while on leave, or while an active student. 

Step 2: Connect with Title IX

If the disclosure involves a student at the College, a Responsible Employee must reach out to Title IX promptly. The best way is to email the Title IX Office and the Title IX Coordinator will respond to connect about what was shared and next steps. If it is an emergency, please also utilize the 24/7 resources listed under Supportive Measures.

Responsible Employees must share what they know with the Title IX Coordinator, including the name or names of students involved if known, and the Title IX Coordinator will talk with the Responsible Employee about how to best support the student.

Step 3: Share Resources

The Title IX Coordinator will then reach out to any student who may have experienced sexual harassment or other sexual misconduct with an offer to meet and information about resources. The student can choose to meet with the Title IX Coordinator to learn more about options or engage in any of the other resources shared. The student is not required to respond, nor is there a time limit to when they can choose to connect with a Title IX Coordinator.

If as a Responsible Employee you receive a request for a supportive measure directly, please reach out and collaborate with Title IX on implementation.