After an OPHD investigation is completed, matters may progress to the adjudication stage. Generally, the duration of adjudication correlates with the number of steps in the process. (Information about the adjudication process can be found in the 2021 SVSH report.) Student adjudications that go to a hearing and/or the appeals process take longer than those that do not. Staff adjudication processes are generally simpler and take less time than faculty adjudication processes. Faculty adjudication cases that conclude via early resolution (settlement) can resolve in a few months or less; those that go all the way through the Privilege & Tenure hearing process can take well over a year.
Another factor that can lengthen SVSH adjudication processes is if the case is “DOE-covered”. The Title IX regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Education (“DOE”) that went into effect August 14, 2020 require the University to follow a specific grievance process in response to conduct covered by the regulations (“DOE-Covered Conduct”). In some instances, “DOE-covered” cases may take longer to finish the adjudication process. In 2022-23, 41% of all SVSH cases were “DOE-covered”.
- Please refer to the UC SVSH Policy Appendix IV for information about conduct that is DOE-covered and Interim PACAOS-Appendix-F for procedures.
The median adjudication durations of SVSH and protected category discrimination and harassment cases in which the adjudication phase ended in 2022-23 are provided in Figures 36. In general, adjudications involving student respondents took longer than adjudications involving employee respondents.
