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Process Advisors

The Title IX Regulations of 2024 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.  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 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.

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.

Sophia Altman she/her/hers

UMass Law Student

774-320-1323
saltman@umassd.edu

Availble: Fall 2024; Spring 2025; Summer 2025
Preferred method of contact: either email or telephone
Preferrs to work with: both complainants and respondents

 

Ariette Gradney she/her/hers

UMass Law Student

774-473-9231
agradney@umassd.edu

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

she/her/hers
McKenna Plotner she/her/hers

UMass Law Student

774-473-9205
mplotner@umassd.edu

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

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