Rationale Writing Workshop for Decision-Makers and Investigators

Learn more about this upcoming workshop by viewing the following introductory video:

March 12, 2021 (SOLD OUT) | 11:30am-3:00pm ET

Additional dates will be released shortly.

• $349 – ATIXA Members
• $399 – Non-Members

Group rates offered above 5 registrations, contact events@atixa.org.

The 2020 Title IX regulations require hearing and appeal rationales (as well as rationales for dismissals and emergency removal decisions). As a result, rationales are under more scrutiny than ever, and it is now easier to litigate against a college or school’s stated rationale, because all the reasoning and analysis is now laid bare for all participants to see and scrutinize. Are your investigators and decision-makers ready to write clear, defensible rationales? If not, ATIXA is here to teach rationale-writing skills and increase the proficiency of your trainees.

 This 3.5 hour (half-day) workshop is fully engaging and hands-on for decision makers and investigators. Often as part of an investigation report, and always as part of the hearing and appeal outcome letter, a rationale must be provided. This rationale includes an analysis of all the facts considered, policy application, a credibility assessment, application of the standard of proof, finding, final determination, elaboration of sanctions, and the reasons therefor.

Rationales are often difficult – we know our decision but how do we reduce it to writing?

Credibility in particular is challenging — how do we explain why we do or don’t believe someone?

This workshop is a hands-on clinic on becoming proficient at rationale writing using a fascinating new ATIXA case study to train your brain on this particular skill. There will be brief Zoom classroom instruction, a discussion of the case study, a break to write your draft, and then selective (anonymous) sharing of the drafts with the group for review and feedback by the instructor and participants. All participants will also receive a copy of ATIXA’s model rationale for the case.