Hearing panel composition
Each hearing panel includes a hearing chair and four panel members. The four panel members are University members who have volunteered and been trained for the role. In each case, at least one panel member is of the same University classification (i.e., faculty, staff, or student) as the complainant, and at least one panel member is of the same University classification as the respondent. Panel chairs are selected for their relevant expertise in the field, are trained, and may be compensated for their service.
Selection of hearing panelists
Faculty, staff (including civil service, bargaining unit, and professional and administrative employees), and students from all five University campuses serve as panelists on the SMHC. Panelists serve a two- to three-year term (depending on their role on the Committee) and are recruited annually via an application process.
Questions about the SMHC
For questions about the SMHC, please contact the SMHC Grievance Process Manager, Britt Anderson, at [email protected]. The SMHC Grievance Process Manager serves as the primary point of contact on post-investigation procedures for parties, panelists, University decision-makers, and others.
Training
SMHC members are trained annually on issues related to prohibited conduct and on how to conduct a grievance process that protects the safety of complainants and promotes accountability.
Among other things, SMHC members receive training on:
- the definitions of sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, and relationship violence;
- the scope of the University’s education programs and activities;
- how to conduct a hearing;
- how to serve impartially, including by avoiding prejudgment of the facts at issue, conflicts of interest, and bias;
- technology to be used at a live hearing, where applicable; and,
- relevance of questions and evidence, including when questions and evidence about the complainant’s sexual predisposition or prior sexual behavior are not relevant.
Title IX-related training materials can be found here.
Governing Policies
- Board of Regents Policy: Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Stalking and Relationship Violence
- Administrative Policy: Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Stalking and Relationship Violence
- Post Investigations Procedures for Formal Complaints of Violations of Administrative Policy: Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Stalking and Relationship Violence
Current Members
Current Members – Faculty, Staff & Students
| Hearing Officers | |
|---|---|
Janet Evans, Hearing Officer Marcia Harris, Hearing Officer Mitch Zamoff, Hearing Officer Amanda Porter, Hearing Officer | Gessner Rivas, Hearing Officer Craig Roen, Hearing Officer Niel Willardson, Hearing Officer |
| Faculty | |
|---|---|
Amy Sweasy Tamburino, Faculty Jennifer Goodnough, Faculty Jess Larson, Faculty Liza Meredith, Faculty Lauri Wyum, Faculty Matt Simcik, Faculty Tammy Butterick, Faculty Wenqing Zhang, Faculty Yuk Sham, Faculty | Jared Strasburg, Faculty Sarah Hoffman, Faculty Mercedes Porter, Faculty Kristen Mark, Faculty Traci Mann, Faculty Leso Munala, Faculty Michael LuBrant, Faculty Caroline Krafft, Faculty Lynette Renner, Faculty |
| Staff | |
|---|---|
Jules Lehto, Staff Pamela Merzwski, Staff Joseph Alf, Staff Bridget Apitz, Staff Jim Larson, Staff Eric Gorecki, Staff Sarah Wojnicki Smith, Staff Shane West, Staff Jennifer Johnson, Staff Ifeyinwa Ikegwuani, Staff Ian Moore, Staff | Kelsee Vogt, Staff Kelley Leaf, Staff Lindsy Gornick, Staff Michelle Beeghly, Staff Evelyn Vocu, Staff Mattie Hawley, Staff Jonathan Kurasch, Staff Jeffrey Stephenson, Staff May Thao, Staff Faisal Aziz, Staff Kimy Moothart, Staff |
| Students | |
|---|---|
Claire Dosen, Student Matt Dietz, Student Matthew Wadman, Student Aurelio Ayala, Student Tom Barbano, Student Tysen Tyson, Student Kavy Pathirana, Student | Jordan Lutgen, Student Melissa Latcham, Student Elliot Weiblen, Student Mina Turnbow, Student Rae Hadgu, Student Bella Callery, Student |