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U. to hire additional investigator to handle sexual assault cases

The University is scheduled to hire an external investigator to handle sexual misconduct disciplinary proceedings, according to a job posting on the University's website.

This is at least the second staff addition since the University's policies for dealing with sexual assault cases were overhauled this summer in response to pressures from the federal Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. As part of the changes, students and faculty will no longer adjudicate cases of sexual assault. Instead, a panel of three administrators will investigate the cases and recommend a penalty. The external investigator will serve as one of the three investigators in certain cases.

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The external investigator's job will be aimed at facilitating the handling of cases that arise during academic vacations, Michele Minter, vice provost for institutional equity and diversity and Title IX coordinator, said. She explained that the position is advertised on the University’s website as “casual,” a distinction that means part-time since the investigator will only be called upon if a case arises.

Prior to recent changes to the University’s sexual assault policy, the external investigator would becharged with developing an investigation plan, interviewing involved parties, reviewing case details and preparing a case file.

The University's current external investigator isJoyce Chen Shueh '95, who runs a private law practice in town.

Candidates are required to have a minimum of four to six years of experience in a related field, demonstrate experience conducting investigations alleging discrimination and demonstrate experience handling issues related to gender-based violence, according to the University's website.

A law school degree, credentials in higher education and demonstrated knowledge of current regulations related to the Violence Against Women Act and Title IX are preferred. Title IX is a law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational institutions that receive federal funds.

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights made explicit legal demandsof the University to comply with the Clery Act, VAWA and Title IX over the summer, leading to the noted changes in the investigator's role.

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“It is my hope that this process will be very consistent with the old process in terms of fairness and outcome,” Minter said of the changes, adding that the adjudication panel always aims to provide a fair and unbiased assessment of every case.

Minter also said the new system allows complainants and respondents to narrate their stories only once instead of twice, saving time and perhaps alleviating stress and anxiety.

Although parties involved in the handling of sexual assault cases have always required training, she explained that the training will become even more extensive.

David Lisak, a national expert on sexual misconduct cases on college campuses,will train a group of staff members this week, Minter said. Over the course of the training, participants will learn about investigation techniques; relevant research,such as the prevalence of serial offenders;and gain a strong general knowledge of sexual assault cases, such as possible victim reactions and possible miscommunications.

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“We also do a lot of work to help train investigators how to ask questions and how to organize their questions,” Minter said. “[Investigators] have to be very well briefed in our definitions of sexual misconduct,” she added, explaining that these definitions would include terms such as "incapacitation" and "consent."

During the most recent Council of the Princeton University Community meeting, a student raised concerns that an investigator’s legal background may put students at a disadvantage. Minter responded that the disciplinary proceeding does not resemble a criminal proceeding and that the investigator’s role is not prosecutorial.

In addition, Minter said the investigator’s legal background could be especially helpful if an involved party chooses a professional lawyer as their adviser.

“I don’t view it as a disadvantage to the student,” Minter said, adding that most experienced investigators in this context already have extensive legal backgrounds.

Although the position is only part-time, Minter noted that in no way does she see it as a casual role.

The University will conduct interviews as soon as it has a reasonable pool of applicants and hopes to fill the position as early as Thanksgiving.