Some of you will have seen the post the other day. Apparently I made a girl “uncomfortable” via a text exchange (I assure you, there was nothing untoward on my part).
I pressed the University for details, and now I am told I am being formally investigated. They’ve formally accused me of misconduct, now, and told me that I must speak to them over the phone, this week…
For various reasons I won’t go into, I simply cannot do the phone thing, this week. I just can’t. I’ve told them so, and I’ve also told them that I will be seeking legal advice.
They linked me to a web page which essentially, very nebulously, outlines that anyone can make an allegation against a student, even anonymously, and it will be investigated, even if the situation in question has nothing to do with the University…
It even says “Anything can be sexual harassment, even if it only occurs once”. So I gather that is what I am up for…
Fuck me. This is so fucked…
I'm just trying to work out my options, plus financial practicalities at the moment...
Then I will see about the lawyer situation.
Struggling (obviously)...
I'm seconding this guy's advice. We're doing our best here but ultimately only a lawyer in your jurisdiction can give you the kind of advice you need. Just to repeat: DO NOT speak to them by phone or in person. Keep it by email ideally, and if they try to ambush you do what the other guy and said and pull out your phone, start recording, and loudly say that you're recording. Also refuse to speak about incident.