1:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. | Welcome

In addition to speaker introductions, participants are asked to share their biggest challenges related to the Title IX grievance process, areas in which they feel most confident while conducting investigations, and their overall goals for the program.

1:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. | Overview of the Title IX Regulations

This opening session reviews the 2020 Title IX regulations, including the three-pronged definition of sexual harassment, a school’s obligation to provide supportive measures, the formal complaint process, investigations, informal resolution options, standards of evidence, and hearings.

2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Break

3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. | Relevance Determinations

TIXS instructors outline relevance under Title IX, demonstrate strategies for determining relevance, and invite participants to analyze and rule on sample questions and evidence for relevance.

4:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. | Assessment of Facts and Inconsistencies

TIXS instructors review elements of the investigation report and outline strategies for analyzing facts of the case. They then discuss how to synthesize information and craft questions for the parties to prepare for an upcoming Title IX hearing.

1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. | Pre-Hearing Meetings and Title IX Hearing Preparation

TIXS instructors dive into the importance of the pre-hearing meeting. After explaining the benefits of the pre-hearing meeting, instructors outline a typical pre-hearing meeting agenda.

2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. | Conducting a Title IX Hearing

TIXS instructors first discuss live hearing requirements under Title IX. They then share best practices for questioning parties and witnesses. Topics include logistics of hearing facilitation, hearing procedures and decorum, and overseeing advisor-led cross-examination.

3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Break

3:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. | Title IX Outcomes and the Written Determination Regarding Responsibility

TIXS instructors outline the key elements of the written determination while sharing various approaches to making the final determination regarding responsibility.

4:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Examining the Appeal Process

TIXS instructors outline the bases for appeal under Title IX and optional bases allowed under institutional policy. Instructors then review standard appellate procedures.

5:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. | Training Debrief and Q&A

Participants are asked to share key takeaways from the program, plans for implementing decision-making skills, and methods for collaborating with fellow participants.

Meet Your Instructors

TAWNY ALONZO, M.S. | Director of Training

A graduate of Texas A&M University, Tawny has blended careers in higher education and law enforcement to address issues of sexual misconduct on college campuses. Tawny took an interest as a police officer in working with victims of sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence. She immersed herself in trainings on trauma-informed interviewing, violence against women and children, as well as community approaches to prevention. This passion led to a jump into higher education and the world of Title IX. She previously served as a Title IX Investigator at Texas Woman’s University, Director of Violence Prevention at Southern Methodist University, and Title IX Program Manager at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Her areas of expertise include conducting compliant investigations, creating dynamic student and employee trainings, and building holistic campus violence prevention programs.

ELIZABETH ABDNOUR | Investigator & Advisor

Elizabeth (Liz) Abdnour is an experienced civil rights and employment attorney. She represents students and provides investigative, consulting, and training services to educational institutions, groups, and nonprofits of all sizes. After a career in legal services, where she learned how to advocate for underserved clients from a trauma-informed perspective and supervised a law school practice clinic, Liz transitioned into higher education where she spent three years in the civil rights office at a land grant university. Liz then opened her own law and consulting practice where she now serves both individual and institutional clients. The combination of Liz’s legal experience and her years as an investigator and equity coordinator give her unparalleled expertise regarding educational institutions’ obligations with respect to civil rights and Title IX response.