If you feel that you have been sexually harassed, you may bring the matter to an Unlawful Harassment Complaint Advisor, whose role is to discuss with you how to proceed and provide a forum for free and open discussion. The Complaint Advisor will review with you the informal and formal steps you can take and will help you decide what to do in your particular situation. A formal complaint will be investigated by the appropriate University disciplinary body. Informal steps might include communicating with the other individual. For example, resource persons might arrange a mediated meeting, if you request this (and the other party agrees); assist you in writing a letter to the other party describing the offending behavior and requesting that it stop; or, in some circumstances, intervene themselves by speaking to the other party or asking someone else to do so.

An incident that troubles or concerns you is worth discussing, whether or not it results in a formal complaint. You may feel partly responsible, be reluctant to get someone else in trouble, or fear retaliation—but you want to get out of the situation. The purpose of our system is to help you do so.

The University’s procedures for handling incidents of sexual harassment place a strong emphasis on resolving complaints. The procedures include advising, mediation, and the option for University discipline. It is important to note that the procedures do not preempt other formal or informal channels available within the University.

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