60 Nova Southeastern University Student Handbook • The university official will contact the complainant (or affected party, if the complainant is not the person who experienced the alleged discrimination) to review the complaint procedures and seek any clarification about the complaint. • If appropriate, supportive measures may be offered while the complaint is under review. c. Referral or Dismissal of Reports Some complaints may not actually fall within the definition of discrimination, set forth by university policy, or otherwise may be more appropriately handled by other offices. These reports will be dismissed or referred to other offices as appropriate, at the discretion of the university official overseeing the investigation. d. Notice of Allegations The university will provide notice of the allegations to the parties with sufficient time to review and respond to them. e. Informal/Early Resolution of Student Complaints The university may attempt to resolve matters through mediation or other alternative resolution, when appropriate. Mediation will not be used for reports of extreme forms of discrimination or harassment or where prohibited by law. In mediation, the investigator(s)—or an assigned individual—typically meets with the reporting party and the respondent—separately and/or together—to seek an acceptable resolution. Any informal resolution may be made only with the agreement of all affected parties. If an alternative resolution is unsuccessful, the matter will proceed to investigation. f. Investigation Grievance investigations are objective, fact-finding inquiries. The purpose of the investigation is to gather facts relating to the allegations made by the complainant and to enable the university decisionmaker to decide whether NSU policy has been violated. During the investigation, the parties will have the opportunity to present relevant information to support or refute the allegations and to respond to the information collected. The burden is on NSU and not on the parties to investigate the allegations. • The university official overseeing the complaint will appoint an investigator(s) who will contact the complainant/affected party within five business days to coordinate a meeting to document the allegations, based on the written complaint and any other information gathered. • The investigation will include interviews with the complainant, respondent, and any other witnesses deemed to potentially have relevant information. Both complainant and respondent may identify witnesses who can provide information relevant to the allegations, but the investigator(s) determines which witnesses will be interviewed. Complainant and respondent are always permitted to present written statements from witnesses for the investigator(s)’ consideration during the investigation process. • The investigation may include written statements, interviews, document requests, and any other sources the investigator(s) deems appropriate. The complainant and respondent are permitted to provide the investigator(s) with evidence.
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