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Reporting Discrimination, Harrassment, and Violence

To achieve its mission, the Department of Physics is committed to upholding the University’s policies on inappropriate conduct, including discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual violence. The Department of Physics and the Physics community at ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ will not tolerate discrimination, harassment or violence, in any form.

A report of sexual misconduct, protected class discrimination or harassment, or related retaliation may be pursued in different ways. The Office of Victim Assistance (OVA) can provide support, guidance, and advice on reporting options. If an individual wishes to report, OVA can assist in identifying the best reporting agency and can provide accompaniment during a report. Depending on the nature of the alleged conduct, an individual may pursue a criminal process, a university process, both processes or neither process. We encourage anyone interested in learning more about their options to consult the Office of Victim Assistance (OVA) and the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC)’s information on reporting, as well as the other offices listed below:

• Office of Victim Assistance (OVA):  OVA provides free and confidential information, consultation, support, advocacy and short term counseling services to ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ students, graduate students, faculty and staff who have experienced a traumatic, disturbing or life disruptive event. OVA is not a part of the police department or the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance, and is a confidential resource for students, staff and faculty. 
• Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC):  OIEC implements and enforces three university policies for students, staff, faculty, volunteers, and affiliates: Discrimination and Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Intimate Partner Violence and Stalking, and Conflict of Interest in Cases of Amorous Relationships. Any violations of those policies must be reported to OIEC by "responsible employees" and can optionally be reported to OIEC by anyone else. OIEC's resolution procedures are separate from law enforcement.

More Resources for Support on Campus

• Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS):  CAPS offers confidential, on-campus mental health and psychiatric services for a variety of concerns such as academics, anxiety, body image, depression, relationships, substance use and more.
• Disability Services:  In collaboration with the university community, Disability Services ensures that students with disabilities receive reasonable accommodations and services to participate equally in the academic environment. 
• Faculty & Staff Assistance Program (FSAP):  The Faculty & Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) is dedicated to serving the emotional and psychological needs of the campus community. All FSAP staff are trained as generalist counselors and are equipped to deal with a wide range of personal and work related issues. You must be a ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ employee to use FSAP services, and services are free to all ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ faculty and staff members.
• Graduate School Grievance Policy:  Graduate students may submit grievances (following the process outlined) to communicate concerns related to academic issues or academic conflicts, with the goal of ensuring that the student filing a grievance is better able to achieve academic success.
• Ombuds:  Ombuds serves as a good place to surface, voice, clarify and discuss university-related issues. They are confidential and help people identify options to resolve disputes, to determine a course of action and to aid in the informal resolution of conflicts and concerns. Ultimately, individuals choose their own path of resolution.