What Happens When I Report Sexual Harassment to the University?

UC ANR takes all complaints of sexual harassment and sexual violence very seriously.

Your safety and well-being are among the University’s highest priorities and you have the right to a learning or work environment that is free from any type of harassment or discrimination.  UC ANR responds to reports of sexual assault, dating/domestic violence and stalking through the University's sexual violence and sexual harassment policy and procedures.

First Steps
If you choose to report to the University, the Title IX Office will explain the UC ANR administrative procedures for responding to complaints of sexual violence. They will also discuss with you whether any interim protections or accommodations are requested or needed. Some examples of what UC ANR might do include: creating a plan to limit or prevent contact between you and another person; taking steps to increase your sense of safety and security while you continue with your work, and other activities; and providing confidential emotional support through the Academic and Staff Assistance Program, and/or the University CARE Advocate. 

Your complaint will be reviewed to determine what resolution process is most appropriate.  Where the report falls within the University’s definition of sexual harassment or sexual violence, the processes that will be offered may include formal investigation and alternative resolution.

Formal Investigation
If your complaint requires a formal investigation, the University investigator will separately meet with you, respondent, and other potential witnesses to gather information. When the fact-gathering portion of the investigation is complete, the investigator will prepare and submit a report addressing whether the allegations are substantiated and make either a recommendation or finding on whether University policy was violated. If there is a finding of a policy violation, the University will consider disciplinary action against the respondent. The University will also consider whether any other action should be taken, such as remedies that may be appropriate for you.

If there is a finding of no violation of University policy, the matter will be closed if the respondent is a staff or faculty member. In all cases, necessary measures will continue to be taken to ensure that you feel safe.

Alternative Resolution
In some cases, the Title IX Coordinator may deem it appropriate to offer you the option of resolving the complaint using alternative resolution in lieu of a formal investigation.  In comparison with formal investigation, alternative resolution provides a less formal and more flexible process for resolving reports.  It requires mutual agreement from you and respondent to participate in alternative resolution.  The remedies are determined and agreed upon by the parties with support from the Title IX Office.  You may also request to use the alternative resolution process; however, the Title IX Coordinator will ultimately determine if alternative resolution is an appropriate resolution option. 

Examples of alternative resolution include:
- Mediation (except in cases of sexual violence); 
- Separating the parties; 
- Providing for safety; 
- Referring the parties to counseling; 
- Referral for disciplinary action; 
- A settlement agreement; 
- Conducting targeted preventive educational and training programs; and 
- Conducting a follow-up review to ensure that the resolution has been implemented effectively. 

Either party can terminate the process at any time. The Title IX Coordinator also may terminate the process if it appears that alternative resolution will not be successful.  If the alternative resolution process is terminated or either party chooses not to agree to the alternative resolution process, either the formal investigation process or the DOE grievance process (if applicable) will generally be used to resolve the conflict. 

Who will know about my report?
The University will protect the privacy of everyone involved in a report of sexual harassment or sexual violence to the greatest degree possible under law and University policy. However, anonymity cannot be guaranteed.  Only those who have a legitimate need or right to know about the concerns will be made aware of the complaint.  If you report sexual violence to the University, the University will monitor the progress of the case through its case management team.  This team consists of representatives from the Title IX office, CARE and, depending on the affiliation of the accused, representatives from Academic Affairs, Student Support and Judicial Affairs, or Human Resources. These people will be informed of both parties’ names and the allegations.

If an investigation is charged, the respondent will not be told who brought the complaint forward. However, your name will probably appear in the notification letter sent to the accused by the Title IX Coordinator. For example, that letter usually contains this language (this particular example addresses alleged sexual assault): "As the Title IX Compliance Officer for UC ANR, I am writing to notify you that I have received a complaint that you engaged in conduct that may have violated the University's Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy as well as the University's policy on conduct and discipline.  Specifically, it is alleged that you ..."

Witnesses who are interviewed by the investigator may also know about the report, but they won’t be told who made the report. Until the investigation is completed, no one else would have reason to be told about your report. Supervisors, co-workers or others are not informed.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the Title IX Coordinator will notify you and the respondent about the outcome of the investigation.  You also have the right to request a copy of the investigation report and, in some cases, the Title IX Coordinator will provide the report automatically.