A degree from Georgia State University is a worthwhile honor. Georgia State University doesn't enroll over 50,000 students across its six metropolitan Atlanta campuses without offering those students good value. As an access school with large international and minority student populations, the university focuses on effective education in its over 250 degree programs in 100 different fields.
To ensure that it remains accessible, diverse, and supportive of the education of all students, Georgia State University embraces its federal and state law obligations to prevent sex discrimination and sexual harassment. Georgia State University maintains a lengthy Student Code of Conduct that not only defines and prohibits general forms of misconduct and academic misconduct but also specifically addresses and prohibits Title IX misconduct and non-Title forms of sexual misconduct.
Don't lose everything for which you are working at Georgia State University because of sexual misconduct charges. If you face Title IX or other sexual misconduct charges at Georgia State University, then promptly retain college misconduct defense attorney Joseph D. Lento at the Lento Law Firm. Hundreds of college and university students nationwide have trusted attorney Lento with their college misconduct defense, with good results. You, too, can get from attorney Lento the experience and skill you need for a winning defense.
Sexual Misconduct at Georgia State University
Part IV of Georgia State University's Student Code of Conduct includes a policy against disruptive student conduct in the classroom, a non-discrimination policy, a class attendance policy, and other administrative policies addressing student conduct. One of those policies is a Sexual Misconduct Policy. That policy fulfills Georgia State University's federal Title IX obligation to prohibit certain forms of sexual violence and harassment. The policy, though, also prohibits sexual misconduct beyond what Title IX requires of an institution.
Title IX Prohibitions. Federal anti-discrimination law known as Title IX requires colleges and universities to prohibit specific forms of sex discrimination and sexual harassment if they are to receive federal funding. The Sexual Misconduct Policy within Georgia State University's Student Code of Conduct fulfills that obligation by expressly prohibiting these forms of Title IX sexual misconduct:
- sexual violence including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking;
- quid-pro-quo harassment that conditions university benefits or services on unwelcome sexual conduct; and
- hostile-environment harassment in the form of severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive unwelcome sexual conduct denying equal access based on sex.
Non-Title IX Prohibitions. Like many other colleges and universities, the Sexual Misconduct Policy within Georgia State University's Student Code of Conduct extends its prohibitions well beyond the above Title IX forms of sexual misconduct. Georgia State University groups its non-Title IX forms of sexual misconduct under the heading of sexual exploitation. Its Sexual Misconduct Policy defines sexual exploitation as “taking non-consensual or abusive sexual advantage of another for one's own advantage or benefit, or for the benefit or advantage of anyone other than the one being exploited.” The policy then lists these examples of prohibited sexual exploitation:
- invasion of sexual privacy;
- prostituting another individual;
- non-consensual photos, video, or audio of sexual activity;
- non-consensual distribution of photo, video, or audio of sexual activity;
- intentional observation of nonconsenting individuals who are partially undressed, naked, or engaged in sexual acts;
- knowingly transmitting a disease to another through sexual activity;
- intentional, inappropriate, non-consensual exposing of one's breasts, buttocks, groin, or genitals; and
- sexually-based bullying.
The breadth, detail, and ambiguity of similar definitions of college sexual misconduct have confused administrators and students at colleges and universities across the nation. If you face college or university sexual misconduct allegations that you do not understand or believe are false, exaggerated, or unfair, then retain national college sexual misconduct defense attorney Joseph D. Lento. Get the best available defense.
Georgia State University Sexual Misconduct Procedures
Georgia State University's Student Code of Conduct includes not only definitions for what it prohibits but also procedures for determining sexual misconduct charges. Federal law requires colleges and universities to offer specific procedural protections for both accuser and accused when the charge involves Title IX sexual misconduct allegations. The federal government recently added protections for the accused to those procedures. Students facing sexual misconduct charges at Georgia State University have reliable procedures for college sexual misconduct defense attorney Joseph D. Lento to employ to defend false and exaggerated charges.
The Sexual Misconduct Policy within Georgia State University's Student Code of Conduct directs complaints of sexual misconduct to the university's Title IX coordinator, whose first action is to contact the alleged victim to offer supportive measures. The coordinator may dismiss the complaint if the preliminary review shows it doesn't allege a violation, the alleged victim doesn't wish to proceed, the respondent has left school, or evidence is unavailable to decide the charges. The policy also permits the accuser and accused to resolve the matter informally.
Separate Standards for Institutional Student Conduct Investigation at Georgia State University provide the detailed procedures for investigation and hearing. After receiving the complaint, the accused student may submit a written denial within three days. The university construes the failure to respond as a general denial. The university then appoints an investigator who interviews witnesses and prepares an initial investigation report to share with the accuser and accused. The investigator then prepares the final report summarizing the evidence for any charges. Cases that do not resolve on the report's basis proceed to a hearing before either a Hearing Officer or Hearing Panel at the accused student's election. Witnesses must testify at the hearing for the Officer or Panel to consider their information.
Importantly, Georgia State University's sexual misconduct procedures permit the accused student to retain an attorney to defend the proceeding, including to cross-examine witnesses. When retained, college sexual misconduct defense attorney Joseph D. Lento helps write an accurate and firm denial of false charges, assist in negotiating an informal resolution, ensure that the student provides exonerating and mitigating evidence to the investigator, prepare the student for hearing, cross-examine witnesses at the hearing, advise the student on results, and conduct any necessary appeals.
Georgia State University Sexual Misconduct Sanctions
Georgia State University's Standards for Institutional Student Conduct Investigation state the sanctions that the university may impose on a student whom the university finds committed sexual misconduct. The Standards require the Hearing Officer or Panel to consider the offense's frequency, severity, and nature, the student's past conduct and willingness to accept responsibility, strength of the evidence and well being of the university community. Possible sanctions includes:
- expulsion;
- suspension for a time or until satisfaction of conditions or both;
- separation of the parties with no-contact orders;
- participation in sensitivity training or awareness programs;
- participation in alcohol or drug abuse prevention programs;
- counseling or mentoring;
- volunteering or community service;
- loss of institutional privileges;
- delays in obtaining institutional services and benefits;
- additional academic requirements;
- financial restitution; and
- any other sanctions directly related to the violation.
Title IX Defense Available at Georgia State University
If you or a loved one face false or exaggerated sexual misconduct charges at Georgia State University, then don't despair, and don't give in. The university's procedures are there to protect you. But you need the representation of an experienced academic attorney who has trial skills. National academic attorney Joseph D. Lento has successfully defended college and university students nationwide against sexual misconduct charges. Let Attorney Lento's aggressive representation preserve your education, career, and reputation against sexual and other misconduct allegations. Attorney Lento's satisfied clients give you every reason to rely on attorney Lento and the Lento Law Firm to help you. Call 888-535-3686 to schedule a consultation, or use the online service.
