Feel better equipped to effectively investigate complex sexual harassment and sex discrimination cases.
Overview
As Title IX regulations continue to unfold, so do the complexities involved in sexual harassment and discrimination cases that schools must address, investigate, and resolve. Even investigators with more experience need space to further refine and enrich their investigation skills. This training will provide that learning space and allow experienced investigators to learn from our expert faculty and their peers.
Join us this March for a virtual advanced-level investigator certification training. This training has been specifically designed for seasoned investigators with three or more years of experience investigating sexual harassment and discrimination cases. This hands-on workshop gives experienced investigators the information they need to expand and sharpen their knowledge, increasing their competency to investigate some of the most complex Title IX cases in higher education.
With the help of our expert speaker panel, you will dive deeper into the following topics:
- The May 2020 Final Regulations’ mandates for investigations
- Investigating during a pandemic
- Advanced questioning techniques
- Addressing inconsistent or nonsensical statements
- Handling a difficult witness
- Creating/preparing the credibility analysis for decision-maker(s)
- Drafting a fair and neutral investigative report
- Managing the complexities inherent in sexual harassment and discrimination investigations, such as relationship violence and stalking cases, cases involving individuals with mental health concerns or disabilities, and cases involving tenured faculty respondents.
At conclusion, you will receive a certificate of completion documenting your participation in this Advanced Title IX Investigator workshop. You will come away with the knowledge and proficiency to investigate formal, complex sexual harassment and sex discrimination complaints on your campus.
Who Should Attend
This conference will benefit seasoned investigators new to Title IX and those with at least three years of professional experience investigating sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination cases. In addition to Title IX investigators, any higher education professionals responsible for investigating complaints of harassment and discrimination involving other protected categories will benefit from this training.
The Academic Impressions Online Learning Experience
Intentionally Designed
Online Learning
Our virtual trainings go far beyond just replicating PowerPoint presentations online: these experiences are intentionally designed to give you the kind of robust and dynamic learning experience you’ve come to expect from Academic Impressions. These trainings provide you with an active learning environment and an online space where you can explore ideas, get inspired by what your peers are doing, and understand the range of possibilities around a certain topic. You will leave these sessions with practical solutions that you can take back to your team or task force.
What you will get:
- A dynamic, interactive, and high-touch virtual learning experience designed to engage and set you up for growth
- Seamless online face-time, networking, group work, and Q&A opportunities from the comfort of your own workspace
- Practical takeaways and hands-on knowledge
- Guidance from vetted subject matter experts
- Unlimited access to all recorded online sessions
See What Our Attendees are Saying
AGENDA
All Times Eastern
Welcome and Introductions
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
The New Era of Title IX Investigations
10:30 – 11:15 a.m.
In this opening session, our faculty will give a brief overview of the investigator’s role as fact-gatherer and review the investigative process under the May 2020 Title IX Final Regulations. We will explore the parties’ newly afforded rights under the law and how the investigator adheres to those rights throughout the investigative process. You will have the opportunity to share out any gaps you have identified, experienced, or that you foresee in investigations, as well as ongoing concerns you may have about how to conduct investigations pursuant to the new law.
Break
11:15 – 11:30 a.m.
Introduction of the Five Stages of Investigation and Scenario
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Our expert faculty will introduce you to the five stages of the investigative process. Within each stage, you will learn effective strategies and advanced skills to incorporate into your existing process. As a group, you will be introduced to a mock scenario and will be challenged to a) identify the complexities within the scenario and b) discuss how to effectively address those complexities.
Stage 1: Prepare
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Our faculty will provide useful strategies to fully prepare you for your complex investigation, including:
- Identifying the elements of the offenses
- Reviewing the evidence that may be available
- Witness interview lists & outreach strategy
- Creating an investigation log
- Planning the interview
- Interacting with party advisors
Based on what you learn, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss and refine your current preparation strategy.
Break
1:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Stage 2: Gather
2:00 – 2:45 p.m.
You will learn advanced interviewing techniques designed to solicit the most information, both testimonial and non-testimonial, that will assist the decision-maker in their determination of responsibility. Our faculty will also prepare you to effectively build rapport with witnesses and learn effective questioning techniques designed to follow the trail of information provided. You will practice applying some of these new interviewing strategies through a case study and small group role plays.
Autonomy, Neutrality, and Objectivity
2:45 – 3:45 p.m.
An impartial investigation performed by a bias-free investigator is the substantive foundation of the entire grievance process. You will learn how to identify and then mitigate, if possible, personal bias during the investigation as well as how to address it if your personal bias is questioned. You will have the opportunity to reflect and share instances where you have experienced or witnessed bias as part of a Title IX investigation and how you reacted to or addressed the bias.
Networking Reception
3:45 – 4:15 p.m.
This informal reception is your chance to decompress and expand your network of connections. Our programs are intentionally designed for smaller groups, so this is a great time to catch up with attendees and speakers with whom you may not have connected yet.
All Times Eastern
Refresh & Reset
10:00 – 10:15 a.m.
Understanding Witness Testimony Challenges
10:15 – 10:30 a.m.
As a participant, what are some of the challenges you face when collecting and analyzing party and witness testimony? We will compile a list that will then be addressed by our faculty later in the day.
Confronting Interviewing Challenges
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
You will learn methods for addressing the reluctant or difficult witness, confronting inconsistent, incomplete, contradictory, or nonsensical statements, and handling dishonesty. We will also briefly discuss the effects of trauma on memory.
Short Break
11:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Small Group Activity: Mock Interviews
11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Through mock interviews, you will put the new strategies and techniques you have learned to use using the fact scenario provided.
Stages 3 and 4: Compile and Assess for Relevance
12:15 – 1:15 p.m.
Our faculty will walk you through the compilation and delivery of the investigative file. Following this session, you will learn how to assess the evidence for inclusion in the investigative report. Here you will develop a better understanding of relevance and its purpose within the overall grievance process.
Meal Break
1:15 – 1:45 p.m.
Stage 5: Drafting the Investigation Report
1:45 – 2:30 p.m.
You’ll have the opportunity to review an outline of a final investigative report and learn the various approaches to the organization of the content therein.
Testifying at the Hearing
2:30 – 3:15 p.m.
As an investigator, you will likely serve as a witness who will testify at the hearing. Our expert faculty will ensure you are prepared for your role within the hearing and your testimony.
Final Q&A and Conference Wrap-Up
3:15 – 3:45 p.m.
SPEAKERS
Cara Hardin, J.D.
Title IX Deputy Coordinator, Marquette University
Cara Hardin is an attorney serving as Title IX Deputy Coordinator for Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Cara helps coordinate and monitor Marquette's compliance with Title IX of the Higher Education Act of 1972 and all associated regulations.
Christine H. Taylor, J.D., LL.M.
Executive Director, Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance, Wichita State University
Christine Taylor holds a full-time appointment at Wichita State University as the Executive Director of Institutional Equity and Compliance, where she is responsible for coordinating the University’s response and compliance with Title IX and associated regulations, federal, state, and local laws concerning nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, affirmative action, and Clery Act compliance.
PRICING
ACADEMIC IMPRESSIONS MEMBERS
$1,595 $0
NON-MEMBERS
$1,595 $1,495
through March 17, 2021
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Questions About the Event?
Rabia Khan Harvey
Senior Program Manager, Academic Impressions