What is Sex-Based Discrimination?

Sex-based discrimination means being treated worse in your education or employment on the basis of:

• biological sex;
• gender identity or expression; and/or
• sexual orientation.

Sexual misconduct is an extreme form of sex-based discrimination, which includes:

• Sexual Assault
• Sexual Exploitation
• Sexual Harassment
• Dating and Domestic Violence
• Stalking

How do I make a report?

• You can simply call 412-268-7125 or email institutionalequity@cmu.edu
• You can also download the form from our website, complete it, and return it to us
  • via email to: institutionalequity@cmu.edu
  • or mail to: Title IX Coordinator, 4615 Forbes Ave, Suite 330, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
• If you wish to report something anonymously, you can use the Ethics Reporting Hotline
  • Call 844-587-0793, or
  • Visit cmu.ethicspoint.com 

What concerns should I report to The Office for Institutional Equity and Title IX?

You should make a report to the Office for Institutional Equity and Title IX if you believe that you or someone you know has been
(or is being):

• discriminated against on the basis of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation;
• harassed on the basis of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation; and/or
• impacted by sexual misconduct, which includes:
  • sexual harassment,
  • sexual assault,
  • dating or domestic violence,
  • stalking, and/or
  • sexual exploitation.

What happens when I file a report about something that impacted another person?

 

We will respond to you to acknowledge the report and provide information about support and next steps.  Our preference is to contact the impacted person directly, so we can talk through the options and resources above.  However, if need be, we can work with you to provide you with the information to pass along.  Our most important goal is to make sure that the impacted person knows about the resources and supportive measures available, as well as their options.  If you do not have mandatory reporting expectations, you can consult with us without disclosing the name of the person or persons who have been impacted

What happens when I file a report about something that impacted me?

Someone from the Office for Institutional Equity and Title IX will reach out to you and provide you with information about the supportive measures available to you, as well as your options if you should choose to pursue next steps. We typically like to meet (in person, via Zoom, or by phone), as it is a lot of information to cover.  However, you are not required to meet and we are happy to provide information via email.

You choose what happens next.  Sometimes, people may just want to register the concern with us.  Often, people want to seek out support, but do not want the University to take any further actions.  Other times, people may want to pursue some sort of resolution through the University, the courts, or both.   We will make sure that you understand your options, and what happens next is up to you.

In very, very limited circumstances, the University may be required to take additional steps to protect the campus community.  For example, the University may need to investigate if there are multiple reports of similar conduct against one individual.  Additionally, if there is a crime reported to have occurred on or near campus that represents a possible threat to the community, the University Police Chief may need to send out a “timely warning” to the community; the warning will not include identifying information about the impacted party.

What happens if a report is filed about me?

We know that it can be scary to be accused of harming another person.  As a member of our community, we will provide you with the same support and resources we offer to a complainant.  It is crucial for you to be able to meaningfully participate in the process.

 The Office for Institutional Equity and Title IX records information provided by the complainant or a third party. Based upon our experiences, often complainants are seeking supportive measures only, in which case you would not be notified that a report has been made.  Our records are private, and we do not disclose or confirm the existence of a report to community members or third parties (student organizations, other educational institutions or employers) except as required by law, subpoena, search warrant or court order.  In very limited circumstances, when necessary to safeguard the community, such reports may be shared with Senior Leadership at the University who need to know including, University Police and/or the Dean of Student Affairs.

If a complainant does choose to pursue investigation and/or resolution (or if there are multiple reports of a similar nature that suggest a possible threat to the community), someone in the Office for Institutional Equity and Title IX will reach out and ask to meet (whether in person, by Zoom or by phone).  It is important that you respond to any such outreach.  During the meeting, we will talk with you about the nature of the concerns, the complainant’s wishes, and the next steps.  We will also give you a chance to respond to the concerns.  You are presumed not to be responsible for policy violation(s) unless and until either (1) you voluntarily accept responsibility or (2) you are found responsible after a fair and impartial investigation and determination of facts. 

Punitive actions cannot and will not be taken against you unless you’ve either voluntarily accepted responsibility or you’ve been found responsible for a policy violation.  In very rare circumstances, the University may take action to protect the safety of the community, which may negatively impact you (such as an interim removal from campus or interim restrictions on your ability to access campus property and/or University events).  In such instances, you will be provided with notice and the opportunity to appeal as set forth in the university’s Safety Intervention Protocol.

What are my options for resolution?

• No Resolution: You can simply share a concern and access support and resources. The University will not take any further action.
•  Formal Resolution at the University: If you choose, you may file a Formal Complaint to initiate an investigation of the concerns and there will be a formal process to determine whether any University policies have been violated, and if so, what the appropriate outcomes would be. This is the only way that punitive or disciplinary outcomes can be imposed against a University community member.
• Alternative Resolution at the University: This can be a resolution that is agreed upon by the parties and does not include the formal resolution process.   Examples may include: providing an educational intervention or experience for the responding party; implementing a No Contact Agreement and agreeing upon measures to reduce possible interactions; and/or programming or training for a group (department, student organization, residence hall, et cetera).
• External Options: In addition to (or instead of) University resolution, individuals may also seek resolution in the world outside of Carnegie Mellon. Examples include:
  • Criminal Justice System: Some conduct that violates University policy may also violate the criminal law. You may file a police report and go through the criminal justice process. 
  • Civil Courts: You may always seek relief by filing a complaint in a civil court. In some circumstances, you may be able to seek a Protection from Abuse or Restraining Order.
  • National Science Foundation's Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI): The office is charged with enforcing Title IX among NSF grantees. To file a complaint, or for more information on Title IX, contact (703) 292-8020,  e-mail programcomplaints@nsf.gov or complete and submit this form 
  • Office for Civil Rights at U.S. Department of Education (“OCR”): If you believe that the school has violated your Title IX rights, you may file a complaint with the OCR.
  • Other University’s Title IX Processes: if the responding party is a student or employee at another school, we can work with you to report your concerns to the Title IX Coordinator at another school.

Can I pursue more than one option at a time?

Yes, you can.  You can only pursue one option for resolution at a time at the University (formal or alternative).  However, you can also pursue any or all of the external options at the same time, before, after or instead of University resolution.