Summary of Rights

All members of the Bates community have the right to:

• Live, work, and learn at Bates free from bias, harassment, and discrimination;
• Be treated with respect, dignity, and fairness;
• Have their privacy protected by all individuals involved in the investigation and resolution of any report of discrimination or harassment;
• File a report and have any report resolved promptly, fairly and thoroughly according to the Bates College Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination, and Anti-Harassment Policy;
• Receive supportive measures to help them continue to access their education;
• Be free from retaliation for making a report or participating in the Resolution Process;
• Receive timely notice of meetings and equal access to information used in those meetings;
• Have an advisor or support person present at meetings;
• Receive timely written notification of the outcome of any investigation, including sanctions, any changes to the outcome due to appeal, and when the outcome becomes final;
• Present evidence, suggest witnesses and questions for those witnesses, and review and respond to all relevant evidence prior to a determination being rendered;
• Appeal dismissal decisions, the finding, and outcome on limited grounds as detailed in the Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination, and Anti-Harassment Policy.; and
• Receive amnesty for minor drug and alcohol violations that occurred at the time of the incident.

In addition, a Complainant has the right to:

• Choose whether to file a criminal complaint with local law enforcement and to receive assistance should they wish to do so;
• Request a campus No Contact Order or seek a court-issued Order of Protection; and
• Choose whether they wish to participate in any resolution process.

Individuals have these rights regardless of whether they participate in a Formal Resolution process and regardless of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, or any other protected class.