Section UWS 11.21 - Adequate due process(1) A fair hearing for an academic staff member against whom dismissal or other discipline is sought shall include all of the following:(a) Service of written notice of a live hearing on the allegations in the formal complaint at least 10 days prior to the hearing.(b) A right to the names of witnesses and of access to documentary and other evidence which serve as the basis for seeking dismissal or other discipline.(c) A right for the complainant and academic staff member to be heard on their own behalf.(d) A right to an advisor, counsel, or other representatives, and to offer witnesses. The academic staff member's or complainant's advisor or counsel may ask all witnesses relevant questions and follow-up questions, including those challenging credibility. Credibility determinations, however, may not be made based on a person's status as a complainant, respondent, or witness. If the academic staff member does not have an advisor, the university shall provide the academic staff member, without charge, an advisor of the university's choice to conduct cross-examination on behalf of the academic staff member. The advisor may be an attorney.(e) A right to confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses. The academic staff member's or complainant's advisor shall conduct cross examination directly, orally, and in real time. The academic staff member and the complainant may not personally conduct cross examination. If the academic staff member, the complainant, or a witness does not submit to cross-examination at the hearing, the hearing committee or the hearing examiner may not rely on any statement of the academic staff member, complainant, or witness in reaching its findings and recommendations. However, the hearing committee or hearing examiner may not draw a negative inference in reaching its findings and recommendations based solely on the absence of an academic staff member, complainant, or witness from the hearing or refusal to answer cross-examination or other questions.(f) A verbatim record of all hearings, which might be a sound recording, made available at no cost for inspection and review.(g) Written findings of fact supporting the decision based on the hearing record. The written findings of fact and decision shall include all of the following: 1. Identification of the allegations potentially constituting Title IX misconduct.2. A description of the procedural steps taken from the receipt of the formal complaint through the hearing committee's or hearing examiner's decision, including any notifications to the academic staff member and the complainant, interviews with the academic staff member, the complainant, and witnesses, site visits, methods used to gather evidence, and hearings held.3. Conclusions regarding the application of the university's conduct rules and policies to the facts including the following: a determination regarding responsibility for each allegation and the rationale behind each decision, any disciplinary sanction recommended to be imposed, any remedies recommended to restore or preserve equal access to the university's educational program or activity, and the university's procedures and permissible bases for complainant and academic staff member to appeal.(h) Admissibility of evidence is governed by s. 227.45(1) to (4), Stats. Only relevant questions may be asked of the academic staff member, the complainant, and any witnesses. The hearing committee or hearing examiner shall determine whether a question is relevant and explain the decision to exclude a question as not relevant. Questions and evidence about the complainant's sexual predisposition or prior sexual behavior are not relevant, unless such questions or evidence are offered to prove that someone other than the academic staff member committed the conduct alleged by the complainant, or unless the questions or evidence concern specific incidents of the complainant's prior sexual behavior with the academic staff member and are offered to prove consent.(i) Upon the academic staff member's request, the university shall provide for the hearing to occur with academic staff member and complainant located in separate rooms with technology enabling the hearing committee or hearing examiner, the academic staff member, and the complainant to simultaneously see and hear witnesses answering questions.(2) The complainant shall have all the rights provided to the academic staff member in sub. (1) (a) to (i).Wis. Admin. Code Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System UWS 11.21
Adopted by, CR 20-061: cr. Register May 2021 No. 785, eff. 6-1-21; correction in (1) (h) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register May 2021 No. 785, eff. 6/1/2021