Student Complaint Procedure

CSU Executive Order 1097 is the systemwide procedure for all complaints of Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Violence, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking made by students against the CSU, a CSU employee, other CSU students or a third party.

A summary of the complaint process (in cases alleging Sex Discrimination) is outlined below. Please reference the full EO 1097 policy for details.

  • Filing a Complaint. The Student shall submit a written Complaint to the Title IX Coordinator. The date of receipt shall be deemed to be the Complaint filing date. The Title IX Coordinator shall offer reasonable accommodations to Students who are unable to submit a written complaint because of Disability.
  • Timeline for filing a Complaint. To be timely, a Complaint must be filed within 60 Calendar Days after the most recent alleged act of Discrimination, Harassment or Retaliation occurred, or 30 Calendar Days after the end of the academic term (semester/quarter) in which the most recent alleged act of Discrimination, Harassment or Retaliation occurred (whichever comes later). 
  • Complaint Requirements. The Student should complete the CSU Student Discrimination/Harassment/Retaliation Complaint Form
  • Intake Interview. The Title IX Coordinator shall meet with the Student as soon as possible, but no later than 10 Working Days after the Complaint was received. The Student shall make him/herself available for this meeting. The meeting shall serve s the initial intake interview and will: (a) acquaint the Student with the investigation procedure and timelines; (b) inform the Student of his/her rights (including having an advisor throughout the process); (c) provide the opportunity for the Student to complete and sign a Complaint form, if not already done; and (d) discuss Interim Remedies, as appropriate.
  • Confidentiality. Information regarding the Complaint shall be shared with other University employees and law enforcement exclusively on a "need to know" basis. 
  • Investigation Procedure. The Student and the Accused shall have equal opportunities to present relevant witnesses and evidence in connection with the investigation. The investigation shall be completed no later than 60 Working Days after the intake interview, unless the timeline has been extended pursuant to Article VIII. E or F. Upon inquiry, the Complainant and Accused shall be advised of the status of the investigation.
  • Investigative Report. Within the investigation period stated above, the Investigator shall prepare an investigative report. The report shall include a summary of the allegations, the investigative process, the Preponderance of the Evidence standard, the evidence considered and appropriate findings.
  • Notice of Investigation Outcome. The Title IX Coordinator shall notify the Student in writing of the investigation outcome within 10 Working Days of completing the report. Where a Complaint is made against another Student, the Title IX Coordinator shall also notify the Campus student conduct administrator of the investigation outcome. If the outcome is that this Executive Order was not violated, the notice shall inform the Complainant of his/her right to file an appeal under Article VII.  A separate written notice shall be provided to the Accused indicating whether or not the allegations at Level I were substantiated. The Accused shall also be informed of the Complainant's right to file an appeal. 

Please reference the policy for information regarding the appeal process.

Equitable Rights

  • When complainant and respondent receive the Notice of Investigation, they are informed of their right to have a representative of their choice when being interviewed by the investigator.
  • The complainant and the respondent are informed of their rights to provide the investigator with information and documentation they feel are relevant to the claim at any time during the investigation.
  • The complainant and the respondent have the right to identify witnesses to support their respective positions during the interview process of the investigation.
  • The complainant is informed through the official notice of the Investigation Outcome of the right to appeal to the Chancellor's Office if not satisfied with the findings of the investigation.