4.17 When a Complainant Does Not Wish to Proceed

(Amended 1/29/21)

If a complainant does not wish for an investigation to take place, or does not want a formal complaint to be pursued, they may make such a request to the Title IX Coordinator, who will evaluate that request in light of the duty to ensure the safety of the campus and to comply with state or federal law.

The Title IX Coordinator has ultimate discretion over whether the University of Iowa proceeds when the complainant does not wish to do so, and the Title IX Coordinator may sign a formal complaint to initiate a grievance process.

Compelling reasons to initiate a grievance process may result from evidence of patterns of misconduct, predatory conduct, threats, abuse of minors, use of weapons, and/or violence. The University of Iowa may be compelled to act on alleged employee misconduct irrespective of a complainant’s wishes.

The Title IX Coordinator must also consider the effect that non-participation by the complainant may have on the availability of evidence and the University of Iowa’s ability to pursue a formal grievance process fairly and effectively.

When the Title IX Coordinator executes the written complaint, they do not become the complainant. The complainant is the individual who is alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute a violation of this policy.

When the University of Iowa proceeds, the complainant may have as much or as little involvement in the process as they wish. The complainant retains all rights of a complainant under this policy irrespective of their level of participation.

The University of Iowa’s ability to remedy and respond to notice may be limited if the complainant does not want the University of Iowa to proceed with an investigation and/or grievance process. The goal is to provide the complainant with as much control over the process as possible, while balancing the University of Iowa’s obligation to protect its community.

In cases in which the complainant requests confidentiality or no formal action and the circumstances allow the University of Iowa to honor that request, the University of Iowa will offer adaptable resolution options (see below), supportive measures, and remedies to the complainant and the community, but will not otherwise pursue formal action.

If the complainant elects to take no action, they can change that decision if they decide to pursue a formal complaint at a later date. Upon making a formal complaint, a complainant has the right, and can expect, to have allegations taken seriously by the University of Iowa, and to have the incidents investigated and properly resolved through these procedures.