Complaint Reporting and Processing

If you believe that you or any student or employee has been subjected to discrimination or harassment in violation of the University’s Nondiscrimination Policy, we ask that you immediately report your concerns to the Equal Opportunity Office, instructor, chair, dean or any other member of the administration with whom you feel comfortable in making such a report. To the extent permissible all such reports shall be treated confidentially and will be investigated by the University in a prompt and responsible manner.

The Equal Opportunity Office is an independent office of the University reporting directly to the President and is responsible for accepting and processing discrimination and harassment complaints under the University’s Nondiscrimination Policy. Instructors, chairs, deans, supervisors and other members of the administration should notify the Equal Opportunity Office when they receive or otherwise become aware of complaints.

Reports of assault, battery, and other crimes or concerns for personal safety should be directed to Public Safety, Brewer Building, (859) 622-2821 (EMERGENCY ONLY - 911), regardless of whether the incident has also been reported as a possible harassment or discrimination.

No student or employee shall be subject to any form of reprisal or retaliation for having made a good faith complaint under the University’s Nondiscrimination Policy or participating in an investigation of such complaint. Appropriate steps will be taken to protect employees and students from retaliation.

Each complaint of discrimination or harassment must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis with reference to the pertinent circumstances. If appropriate, a complaint may be resolved informally. Other complaints will be conducted as formal investigations, including interviews and review of documents. At either Complainant’s or Respondent’s request any complaint will be removed from an informal resolution process to a formal investigation. The rights of both parties are considered in conducting the investigation. Both the complainant and the respondent will be notified of the outcome of the investigation. In determining whether conduct constitutes a violation of the University's Non-Discrimination or Sexual Harassment Policy, University officials will look at the record as a whole and at all of the circumstances of the situation. Members of the University community are also advised that behavior that does not rise to the level of harassment or discrimination may nonetheless be unprofessional, inappropriate or disruptive in the workplace or classroom and could warrant appropriate corrective action and discipline.

Members of the University community are expected to cooperate in investigations by designated University officials of alleged discrimination or harassment. Student complaints of harassment by other students may also be covered by certain provisions of "General Regulations Concerning Student Behavior," contained in the University Handbook for Students, and may be referred to Student Judicial Affairs for final resolution and disciplinary action, if warranted.