Reports may be made at any time (including during non-business hours) by contacting MCLA’s Title IX Coordinator. If you make a report during non-business hours, the Title IX Coordinator will follow up with you when the office reopens.
Patrick Connelly
Dean for Title IX, Equal Opportunity, and Student Wellness
Office Location: Amsler Campus Center - Room 105
Phone: 413-662-5127
Email: patrick.connelly@mcla.edu
Mailing Address: 375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247
*This information is for incident reporting only. In the case of an emergency, please call 911.
When the Title IX Coordinator receives notice of an incident, they will contact the individuals involved to provide information about support resources, interim measures, and options for further action. The Title IX Coordinator can also help facilitate contact with law enforcement if the individual involved wishes to pursue a criminal complaint.
It is always the complainant’s choice whether they wish to file a formal complaint or not. Support services are available to the complainant whether or not they decide to file a formal complaint, and whether or not such a complaint results in a finding of responsibility.
When the Title IX Coordinator received a formal complaint under the Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy, there are 3 options for resolution:
This process is only for complaints that fall under Title IX. For more information about the Complaint Investigation and Resolution process under other EO Plan polices please refer to the Equal Opportunity page.
Complaint Received
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Notification to Respondent
Respondent will receive a copy of the complaint and has 10 days to respond
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Investigation
Every effort will be made to complete the investigation within 60 days
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Parties Review All Evidence
Parties will have 10 days to review and provide
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Investigation Report Provided to Parties
Parties have 5 days to provide comments to investigator
Hearing to be scheduled within 10 days
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Live Hearing with Cross-Examination
Every effort will be made to conclude the Hearing within 15 days
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Determination Issued
Every effort will be made to issue the determination within 10 days of conclusion of hearing
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Appellate Review (if applicable)
The parties will have 10 days to file an appeal
Every effort will be made to complete the Appellate Review within 30 days
Preponderance of evidence is a standard of review. Under this standard, conclusions by the Decision Maker must be based on what “more likely than not” occurred, based on available information and evidence. Accordingly, the Decision Maker must determine whether it is more likely than not that the Respondent violated the Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy.
Once the determination is made, the Title IX Coordinator will provide the written determination to the parties simultaneously.
The written determination will include:
Disciplinary action taken against an employee shall be regarded as an administrative action, up to and including termination, subject to all provisions of applicable collective bargaining agreements and employee handbooks.
Additional disciplinary action, subject to all provisions of applicable collective bargaining agreements or personnel policies, shall also be taken against an employee who violates a sanction or sanctions imposed pursuant to this Policy.
A student who has been found to have violated the Sexual Harassment Policy may be subject to sanctions including, but not limited to:
In general, the sanction typically imposed for students for rape is expulsion. The sanction typically imposed for students for other forms of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking is suspension or expulsion. All student sanctions, however, are determined on a case-by-case basis in consideration of: the seriousness of the violation; sanctions typically imposed for similar violations; prior disciplinary history; and any other circumstances indicating that the sanction should be more or less severe.
Either party may appeal a determination regarding responsibility, a dismissal of a formal complaint, or any allegations therein, on the following bases:
Information for Managers and Supervisors
Title IX Personnel Training Information
MCLA Equal Opportunity, Diversity, and Affirmative Action Plan
Patrick Connelly
Dean for Title IX, Equal Opportunity, and Student Wellness
Office Location: Amsler Campus Center - Room 105F
Phone: 413-662-5127
Email: patrick.connelly@mcla.edu
Mailing Address: 375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247
