/Institutions/Coker-University/json/2025-2026/Student-Handbook-local.json

/Institutions/Coker-University/json/2025-2026/Student-Handbook.json

B Advisors Role in the Formal Grievance Process

Advisors should help the Parties to prepare for each meeting or hearing and are expected to advise ethically, with integrity, and in good faith. Advisors may not provide testimony or speak on behalf of their advisee unless given specific permission to do so.

 

The Parties are expected to respond to questions on their own behalf throughout the Formal Grievance Process. Although the Advisor generally may not speak on behalf of their advisee, except for conducting cross-examination during a hearing, the Advisor may consult with their advisee, either privately as needed, or by conferring or passing notes during any Resolution Process meeting or interview. For longer or more involved discussions, the Parties and their Advisors should ask for breaks to allow for private consultation.

 

The Title IX Regulations require a form of indirect questioning during the hearing, which must be conducted by the Parties’ Advisors. The Parties are not permitted to directly question each other or any witnesses. If a party does not have an Advisor for a hearing, the University will appoint a trained Advisor for the limited purpose of conducting any questioning of the Parties and witnesses.