Reporting

Any person (e.g., faculty, staff, student, parent of a student, campus visitor, hospital patient, spouse of an employee, etc.) may report what they believe to be an act of discrimination, harassment or sexual or gender-based misconduct to the Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office (ECRT).

University policy requires all non-confidential employees, including student employees, to share information learned in the scope of their employment about allegations of discrimination, harassment or sexual or gender-based misconduct with ECRT within 48 hours. This includes information learned through direct disclosures or other parties.

There is no time limit for reporting an incident if you are not an employee. However, the university encourages reports to be made as soon as possible. The passing of time makes responding to reports more difficult and the memories of involved parties less reliable.

In some cases, if you make an initial report but then decide not to participate further, the university may still need to review and investigate the information provided, and may also be obligated to share the report with law enforcement. Even in such cases, you do not have to participate in the university process and you may decline to participate in a law enforcement interview.

Anonymous Reporting

Reports can be submitted anonymously using the links and information below. It is important to know, however, that the university’s ability to investigate and respond to anonymous reports is limited. Note: Employees may not submit reports anonymously to fulfill their reporting obligations.

• Online Reporting Form: You can make a report to ECRT without disclosing your name, by using the Report a Concern page. If you wish to remain anonymous, you should use a non-university-affiliated email address that does not have your name or other identifying information in it. ECRT will still receive the form and respond to the email address provided. Please understand that with an anonymous submission, ECRT’s ability to follow up may be limited.
• Compliance Hotline: You may also report misconduct anonymously through U-M’s 24/7 compliance hotline at 1-866-990-0111. You can find more information about reporting a concern to the university’s compliance hotline on the Ethics, Integrity and Compliance website.

Reporting Process

ECRT responds to every report that is brought to its attention. Once a report is made, ECRT will reach out to the impacted party to offer resources, support and information about possible next steps, including how to file a formal complaint.

A summary of what happens on the Ann Arbor campus is provided below.

What happens after ECRT receives a report?

1. ECRT receives a report (through the online form, by phone, or email, etc.).
2. ECRT reaches out to the complainant (the person who reported being harmed) to provide information about campus resources for students and faculty and staff and to invite the complainant to meet with an ECRT staff person, with the complainant’s adviser present if they wish.
3. Depending on what resolution option the complainant requests (if any), the nature of the reported misconduct, the amount of information available and the relationship of the parties to the university, ECRT will take appropriate action to address the matter. There are a variety of resolution options, supportive measures and other remedies that may be available, and ECRT will communicate with the parties involved about these options and keep them informed as appropriate throughout any resolution process.

What happens next?

Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct

• When the respondent is a student, the process follows the Student Procedures (PDF) as applicable.
• When the respondent is a faculty or staff member, the process follows the Employee Procedures (PDF).

Civil Rights Discrimination and Harassment

• When the respondent is a faculty or staff member, the process follows the ECRT Civil Rights Investigation Process Chart (PDF).

Additionally, any faculty, staff or students connected with the university may file a complaint directly with ECRT if they believe they are being retaliated against because:

• they challenged what they believed to be a discriminatory behavior, or
• they provided information or participated in an investigation of a claim of discrimination or discriminatory harassment.

Schedule an appointment by contacting the Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office or call (734) 763-0235 (V), (734) 647-1388 (TTY).

Employee Reporting