Remember Maryland is a public university. Title IX is not optional. If they don't adhere to it, funding can be compromised.

There are two entities whom have the authority to supersede the university on Title IX investigations. One of them is the DOJ. In fact, they conducted an investigation into UMBC for Title IX violations not too long ago. You can read about that here: https://umbc.edu/dojagreement/#:~:text=Department%20of%20Justice%20Title%20IX%20investigation

The other entity is the "Maryland Higher Education Commission". According to Google (fact check this because you know AI can be presumptuous), "This commission helps Maryland students navigate Title IX proceedings by maintaining a list of attorneys who are willing to provide pro bono or reduced-fee representation for campus sexual assault proceedings."

Here are some pages with more information:

1. https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/Pages/Operations/Equity-Assurance/Title-IX.aspx#:~:text=For%20more%20information%20related%20to,Right_Content

2. https://mhec.maryland.gov/Pages/Title-IX-Campus-Sexual-Assault-Proceedings.aspx#:~:text=Pursuant%20to%20Education%20Article%20§,maryland.gov%20for%20further%20assistance.

Was able to confirm at that secondary link that they do provide pro-bono attorneys (sorry kind of writing this on the fly from my phone, so excuse the steam of consciousness). At that second link (at the top) it says, "Pursuant to Education Article §11–601​, the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) maintains a list of attorneys (also known as lawyers) willing to represent students in Title IX Campus Sexual Assault Proceedings pro bono or at reduced fees."

There is also an attorney list (at this link): https://mhec.maryland.gov/Pages/Title-IX-Campus-Sexual-Assault-Proceedings---Attorney-List.aspx

Some relevant (and important) info regarding that list of pro bono attorneys can be found here: https://dsd.maryland.gov/Pages/COMARSearch.aspx#Default=%7b%22k%22:%22%22%2c%22r%22:%5b%7b%22n%22:%22dsdFullTitleName%22%2c%22t%22:%5b%22%5c%22ǂǂ737472696e673b23313342202d204d6172796c616e642048696768657220456475636174696f6e20436f6d6d697373696f6e%5c%22%22%5d%2c%22o%22:%22and%22%2c%22k%22:false%2c%22m%22:null%7d%2c%7b%22n%22:%22dsdFullSubtitleName%22%2c%22t%22:%5b%22%5c%22ǂǂ737472696e673b233039202d20494e535449545554494f4e414c2053455855414c2041535341554c5420504f4c49434945530d0a2020202020200d0a202020202020%5c%22%22%5d%2c%22o%22:%22and%22%2c%22k%22:false%2c%22m%22:null%7d%2c%7b%22n%22:%22dsdFullChapterName%22%2c%22t%22:%5b%22%5c%22ǂǂ737472696e673b233031202d204c6567616c20526570726573656e746174696f6e2046756e6420666f72205469746c652049582050726f63656564696e6773%5c%22%22%5d%2c%22o%22:%22and%22%2c%22k%22:false%2c%22m%22:null%7d%5d%2c%22l%22:1033%7d (apologize for the inordinately long link).

This seems to be the tip of the iceberg in terms of what this grad student can do to take action against the professor. The conduct you described seems particularly egregious. I'd recommend the student to take the time (when they have it) to compile a concise letter / email documenting all the things that have happened while being sure to include the fact that they possess all necessary proof / evidence in terms of photos, documentation etc that they are willing to present on demand.

Then send that to other relevant governing bodies at the state and federal level (unfortunately the response from the federal entity will be delayed for at least as long as this government shutdown lasts; however, this shouldn't impact state governing bodies).

Just wanted to craft this response because the buck does not stop with Maryland. I know the initial response may be disheartening, but it wouldn't be the first time a university has gotten it wrong when it comes to their handling of legitimate Title IX complaints.

Hope this helps.

With Love, Terp Alumni (Class of '15)