Title IX

A Formal Complaint triggers St. Jude’s obligation to follow the resolution process as outlined in the Title IX policy.

• The Title IX Coordinator promptly reviews available information and conducts an Initial Assessment.
• During the Initial Assessment, the Title IX Coordinator identifies required actions under applicable laws and policies.
• The Title IX Coordinator contacts the Complainant by phone or email to offer support, resources, and an opportunity to discuss the Complaint.
• The Complainant may meet with or decline to meet with the Title IX Coordinator. If the Complainant declines to meet with the Title IX Coordinator, supportive measures and services are still available.
• The Complainant is not required to provide additional information about the incident or agree to participate in an investigation to receive supportive measures or services.
• According to the Title IX policy, the Title IX Coordinator will explain options for the Complainant to proceed or not proceed with a formal or an informal resolution.

Consider contacting either the Title IX Coordinator or one of the Deputy Title IX Coordinators to talk through options including supportive measures. 

Yes. Anyone can file a report and remain anonymous. However, if you are the party allegedly affected, St. Jude might not be able to offer resources and assistance to you not knowing who to help.

Yes, you may request that the Title IX Coordinator take no action. The Title IX grievance and resolution process will be available any time after you submit a Complaint.

Note that if the Title IX Coordinator has received multiple reports concerning the same Respondent or has concerns that the Respondent poses an imminent threat to the Complainant or the St. Jude community, the Title IX Coordinator may move forward with a resolution process. However, the Title IX Coordinator will notify you before moving forward.

St. Jude can provide a wide range of supportive measures for a Complainant, such as assisting with schedule changes or St. Jude work location changes, issuing a No Contact Directive, connecting to on- or off-campus resources including law enforcement for safety concerns or confidential counseling for mental health support.

Retaliation against anyone who makes a good faith report or participates in a resolution process is prohibited. Concerns or questions about retaliation should be immediately reported to the Title IX Coordinator (TitleIX@stjude.org). St. Jude will take appropriate action to address reports of retaliation.

Supportive Measures are individualized services, accommodations, and other assistance that St. Jude offers or may put in place, without fee or charge. Supportive Measures are designed to restore or preserve equal access to education programs and activities. Some examples of Supportive Measures include counseling, academic support services and accommodations; work schedule or job assignment modifications; changes in work location; escort services; and mutual restrictions on contact or communications between the parties.

Supportive Measures are available regardless of whether a Formal Complaint is filed.

When a formal resolution is determined to be the appropriate course of action, St. Jude will appoint an impartial Investigator to investigate the complaint formally.

Once the Investigator has gathered evidence and completed a report of findings, a hearing will be conducted, and a Hearing Officer will determine whether a Title IX violation occurred. If a Title IX violation occurred, the Hearing Officer will recommend sanctions to be imposed.

St. Jude will apply a clear and convincing evidence standard in making any determination that a Title IX violation did or did not occur. This standard requires the Hearing Officer to have a firm belief or conviction that the facts are compelling and clearly support the investigation results.

Either the Complainant or the Respondent may appeal the determination of an Adjudication, or a dismissal of a Formal Complaint, on one or more of the following grounds:

• a procedural irregularity that affected the outcome
• new evidence
• conflict of interest or bias for or against the Complainant or Respondent.

St. Jude will promptly appoint an Appeal Officer to evaluate the appeal, obtain documentation necessary to resolve the grounds raised in the appeal and make a determination.

At any time after the parties are provided written notice of the Formal Complaint, the parties may voluntarily consent in writing to engage in mediation, facilitated resolution, Administrative Adjudication (investigation but not live hearing) or other forms of dispute resolution.

The specific process for any informal resolution will be decided by the parties and the Title IX Coordinator.

During an informal resolution, the investigation and adjudication processes that would otherwise occur are paused and all related deadlines are suspended unless Administrative Adjudication is the chosen method of resolution.

Administrative Adjudication is subject to appeal. No other form of informal resolution is subject to appeal.

A party may withdraw consent to participate in informal resolution at any time before a resolution has been finalized.

Most investigations should be completed within sixty (60) days, excluding time for appeal.

The length of each adjudication will vary based on formal or informal. The St. Jude Title IX policy includes “reasonably prompt time frames” for the conclusion of the grievance process.

In a formal resolution, St. Jude strives to issue the Hearing Officer’s written determination within fourteen (14) days of the conclusion of the hearing.

Unless the Title IX Coordinator provides an extension, any informal resolution process must be completed within twenty-one (21) days from the date the parties agreed to the informal resolution.

• Do not contact the alleged Complainant. If the Title IX Coordinator has not already contacted you, you may want to contact them. The Title IX Coordinator can explain the procedures for addressing sexual misconduct complaints. You may also want to talk confidentially to a counselor or seek other community assistance.
• Focus and document the events and activities on the dates presented in the Complaint with as much detail as possible.
• Draft a witness list.
• Consider who you will select as your Advisor. An Advisor will provide support and is required at the hearing to conduct cross-examination. An Advisor may be a friend, family member, neighbor or attorney.
• Any individual affected by or accused of sexual harassment will have equal access to support and counseling services offered through St. Jude.

You are free to choose anyone to act as your Advisor. However, St. Jude recommends selecting an individual who can assist you during the process and has a schedule that will allow them to be available during the process. If you are involved in a matter in which a formal complaint of Title IX misconduct has been made and a hearing may occur, you should select an Advisor who is willing and able to conduct cross-examination on your behalf.

If a party cannot secure an Advisor to attend the Hearing, and requests St. Jude to provide an Advisor, St. Jude will provide the party an Advisor, without fee or charge. The Advisor will conduct questioning on behalf of the party at the hearing. St. Jude will have sole discretion to select the Advisor it provides. The Advisor St. Jude provides may be, but is not required to be, an attorney.

In the event of immediate threat, call 911 or St. Jude Security at ext. 4444.