Process Advisors

The Title IX Regulations of 2020 require that both complainants and respondents in Title IX cases have an advisor of their choice, at least for the hearing portion of the Title IX Grievance Procedure. If the complainant and respondent in a case do not have an advisor at the hearing, the University is required to assign one to them. With this in mind, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has recruited and provided training for volunteer Process Advisors.

The Process Advisor is a unpaid, volunteer position in the Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion. Process Advisors assist student complainants and respondents through the Title IX Grievance Procedure and the Sexual Misconduct Grievance Procedure. Process Advisors are available to assist with the following:

Interpreting policies, procedures, and correspondence, including hearing and appeal decision letters, from the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion;
Drafting and submitting formal complaints as well as responses to investigation reports, and letters of appeal; and
Preparing and accompanying student complainants and respondents to meetings related to a case including intake, investigation interview, pre-hearing, hearing, and appeal.

In Title IX hearings, the Process Advisors will conduct cross examination of the opposing party and may conduct cross examination of witnesses. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will provide Process Advisors with training to assist student complainants and respondents through each stage of the Title IX Grievance Procedure or Sexual Misconduct Grievance Procedure.

If you are interested in becoming a Process Advisor, please contact Mary Beckwith at mbeckwith@umassd.edu.

Niki Layton she/her/hers

UMass Law Student

774-955-0087
ngililland@umassd.edu

Available: Summer 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024
Preferred method of contact: email and phone
Prefers to work with: both complainants and respondents

McKenna Plotner she/her/hers

UMass Law Student

774-473-9205
mplotner@umassd.edu

Available: Summer 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024
Preferred method of contact: email and phone
Prefers to work with: both complainants and respondents

Ariette Gradney she/her/hers

UMass Law Student

774-473-9231
agradney@umassd.edu

Available: Summer 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024
Preferred method of contact: email and phone
Prefers to work with: both complainants and respondents