A UC student who receives a sexual-misconduct investigator interview request should first identify which UC student procedure applies, read the written notice closely, and coordinate the administrative process with any parallel criminal investigation. Under the January 1, 2026 UC policy, Appendix E covers student conduct not covered by the federal Title IX regulations; interim Appendix F covers DOE-covered conduct. The notice and the conduct alleged matter. UC lists these student procedures separately from employee and faculty policies. UC policy index · UC SVSH policy · Appendix E · Appendix F
Check the notice and interview timing
Compare the notice with the cited policy section and alleged conduct. Appendix F requires written notice at least three business days before a requested interview. Appendix E requires written notice describing the charges, but does not state that same fixed three-business-day lead time. Do not assume the Appendix F timing applies just because the matter is called Title IX or involves sexual misconduct; ask the campus office to identify the applicable procedure if the notice is unclear. Appendix E · Appendix F
Check the date, requested response, alleged policy violations, and any instructions about submitting evidence or identifying witnesses. If you need clarification or a scheduling change, use the contact and process in the actual notice. The consequences of missing an interview depend on the applicable procedure and case posture, so do not treat a request as universally optional or simply ignore it.
Identify the advisor and evidence process
Both student appendices provide an advisor role, but an advisor in a campus proceeding does not automatically have the same role as defense counsel during a police interrogation. Review the applicable appendix for how an advisor may participate, how relevant evidence is reviewed, and when a student may identify witnesses or submit information. Keep the complete notice and communications, and preserve relevant messages and records in their original form.
Campus and law-enforcement processes can overlap. UC policy calls for prompt investigation and allows temporary coordination or delay of fact-gathering in some circumstances while law enforcement gathers evidence. It does not promise that the campus process will pause until a criminal investigation ends. The policy also contemplates sharing information within the process, so do not assume a statement or witness identity will remain confidential from every participant. UC SVSH policy
Prepare for both processes
Before responding substantively, make a simple timeline of the notice, interview request, related police contact, and any court dates or release conditions. Separate what the campus investigator asks from what law enforcement asks; the procedures and potential consequences differ. A student facing both processes can ask a California defense lawyer to review the notice and coordinate strategy with appropriate campus counsel. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley handles criminal defense matters in California; call (800) 755-5174 to discuss the facts.
This guidance concerns UC student proceedings under the current student appendices. Other universities, UC employee matters, and faculty proceedings may use different rules. Check the current policy and your own notice before acting.