EOI & TITLE IX GUIDANCE: May 2022
VOL. 2, ISSUE 6
MAY 2022
Top Stories in this Issue
EOI Office Updates
The EOI Office announces administrative changes. Katie Haft and Christina Chatman are no longer with EOI. Fantei Norman has been promoted from EOI Coordinator to Title IX and Civil Rights Investigator and Deputy Title IX Coordinator, and Leslie Hicks has joined the office as EOI Investigator.
Leslie is from Jacksonville, FL, a Jacksonville University alumna, and previously worked with the Jacksonville Human Rights Commission. Most recently she worked investigating Title VII claims for federal contractors. We welcome Leslie to UNF.
Answer to Top Question Asked About EOI
Question: Why does it take so long for cases to be investigated by EOI?
Answer:EOI investigates many cases simultaneously. The office has three persons who conduct investigations, and the investigations overlap. Days when the university is not open for business do not count in the number of days of a case. Please see the sample timeline below to further explain the investigative process. Last year
Please note the highlighted dates below: (1) the date EOI was made aware of a potential complaint. (2) The day the investigation started (3) the date the investigation concluded, and (4) the date the investigative process ended.
Timeline of a Sample Discrimination Investigation
Monday, January 10, 2022: EOI is made aware of a potential complaint.
Reporter sent an email to EOI with the allegation of a potential allegation of discrimination based on gender discrimination by a Faculty Member towards a student.
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
EOI sent outreach email to Reporter and Reporter replied on the same day.
Friday, January 14, 2022
EOI met with Reporter.
Monday, January 17, 2022
University Closed for Federal Holiday
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
EOI sent initial outreach email to Potential Complainant.
Friday, January 21, 2022
EOI sent second outreach email to Potential Complainant.
Wednesday, January 26, 2022
EOI sent third outreach email to Potential Complainant.
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Potential Complainant responded to EOI and scheduled supportive measuresmeeting via Zoom for Tuesday, February 1, 2022.
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Potential Complainant was a no show for the Zoom meeting.
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
EOI sent outreach to Potential Complainant to see if they wish to reschedule supportive measures meeting. Potential Complainant responds and reschedules for Friday, February 4, 2022.
Friday, February 4, 2022
EOI conducts supportive measures meeting with Potential Complainant and explains the options regarding mediation, formal investigation, or in the case of sexual assault an investigation through UPD.Potential Complainant asks to think about the options before proceeding.
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Potential Complainant contacts EOI and indicates they would like a formal investigation. EOI asks Potential Complainant to complete Maxient Report Form with the information regarding the alleged discrimination.
Friday, February 11, 2022:Day 1 of the Investigative Process
Potential Complainant submits Maxient Report Form to EOI. Investigation Starts.
Monday, February 13, 2022
EOI sends initial scheduling emails to 2 Witnesses named in the Complainant's Maxient Report Form.
Thursday, February 17, 2022
EOI sends second scheduling emails to 2 Witnesses.
Friday, February 18, 2022
Potential Complainant contacts EOI to provide additional 2 Witnesses.
Friday, February 18, 2022
EOI sends initial scheduling emails to additional 2 Witnesses.
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
EOI sends third scheduling emails to initial 2 Witnesses.
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
EOI sends second scheduling email to additional 2 Witnesses.
Monday, February 28, 2022
One of the initial Witnesses contacts EOI for scheduling. Witness is not available until Friday, March 4, 2022.
EOI sends third scheduling email to additional 2 Witnesses.
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
Second initial Witness contacts EOI and states she does not wish to participate.
Thursday, March 3, 2022
One of the additional Witnesses schedules an interview for Tuesday, March 8, 2022.
Friday, March 4, 2022
EOI conducts interview with Witness #1.
EOI sends Complainant 15-day case update.
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
EOI conducts interview with Witness #2. Witness #2 provides the name of an additional Witness, not previously identified.
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
EOI sends initial outreach to Witness provided by Witness #2.
Friday, March 11, 2022
EOI sends Notice of Investigation to Respondent.
March 14-18, 2022
University Spring Break, No contact may be made with Students.
Monday, March 21, 2022
EOI sends second outreach to Witness provided by Witness #2.
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
EOI interviews Respondent.
Witness #3 (provided by Witness #2) schedules interview for the next day.
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
Respondent provides evidence for EOI to review.
EOI interviews Witness #3.
Thursday, March 24, 2022
Respondent provides the names of 5 Witnesses.
Friday, March 25, 2022
EOI sends initial outreach to 5 Witnesses.
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
EOI sends second outreach to 5 Witnesses.
Thursday, March 31, 2022
Witness #4 responds and schedules interview with EOI for the following week.
Friday, April 1, 2022
EOI sends 30-day case update to both parties.
Monday, April 4, 2022
EOI interviews Witness #4.
EOI sends third outreach to Other 4 Witnesses.
Monday, April 11, 2022
EOI reviews all evidence presented in the case.
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
EOI reviews the written transcripts of Complainant and Witness interviews.
Thursday, April 14, 2022
EOI begins drafting the written investigative report for the case.
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
EOI reviews written transcript for Respondent.
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
EOI continues drafting the written investigative report for the case.
Friday, April 22, 2022
EOI provides 45-day case update to both parties.
Monday, April 25, 2022
EOI proofreads and edits the draft written report and makes changes.
Tuesday, April 26, 2022
EOI shares draft investigative report with legal counsel.
Thursday, April 28, 2022
Legal counsel provides feedback to EOI.
Friday, April 29 2022
EOI updates written investigative report.
Monday, May 2, 2022
EOI distributes draft written report to both parties simultaneously for 5-day review period.
Monday, May 9, 2022
5-day review period for draft reports ends. Complainant does not respond. Respondent provides a written response.
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
Draft report is updated to include Respondent’s response.
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Exhibits are organized and created as a single attachment for the investigative report.
Thursday, May 10, 2022:Conclusion of the Investigation
Final Investigative Report is distributed to both parties simultaneously on Day 59 on the investigation.
Cover letters are sent to the following offices to notify investigation has concluded: Vice President Administration and Finance, University Compliance Officer, University General Counsel’s office, University Provost (because Respondent was a faculty member), Associate Director Employee and Labor Relations, and University Chief Human Resources Officer.
Monday, May 14, 2022: Conclusion of the Investigative Process
Witnesses are thanked via email for their participation and notified that the investigation has concluded.
NOTE:
EOI offers a training entitled Anatomy of an Investigation that provides further details regarding the investigation process. You may register for that course through the Center for Professional Development and Training (CPDT) Osprey Ascend learning management system. It will be offered again in Fall 2022.
INVESTIGATIONS
Total EOI Investigations
| 129 | |
| 124 |
Current EOI Investigations
| Total Investigations | 99 |
| Cases Opened in April | 23 |
| Cases Closed in April | 17 |
| Referred to OSAR | 1 |
As of April 30, 2022 (includes situational cases)
Note: Cases involving students must be closed by EOI before it can be referred to OSAR.
EOI Office Staff Directory
Director and Title IX Coordinator
Marlynn Jones, Esquire
Marlynn.jones@unf.edu
Title IX and Civil Rights Investigator and Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Fantei Norman
Fantei.norman@unf.edu
EOI Investigator
Leslie Hicks
Leslie.Hicks@unf.edu
EOI Coordinator
Vacant