Report an Incident

The University encourages parties who believe they have experienced sex-based discrimination, sexual harassment or retaliation to report what happened—so the University can respond appropriately, and the parties can get the support they need.

A Complainant does not have to decide whether or not to request criminal reporting or pursue a formal complaint and adjudication processes at the time they report an incident. Regardless of whether a reporter elects to pursue a criminal charge or formal complaint, the University will assist reporters of an incident by providing them with a written explanation of rights.

Report Timing

Complainants are encouraged to make a report or file a Formal Complaint of prohibited conduct as soon as possible so the institution may quickly respond and prevent further issues. There is no limit on the amount of time that a reporter may have to file a report. However, the greater the time between the date the incident occurred and date a complaint is filed impacts an investigation. Time may limit the availability of parties involved, witnesses, and evidence and ability to judge the complaint under the University’s policies if a party is no longer a covered person.

Amnesty for Minor Offenses

The UHSP community encourages the reporting of prohibited conduct covered by this policy. Complainants or witnesses are sometimes hesitant to give notice to UHSP officials or participate in Resolution Processes because they fear that they themselves may be in violation of certain policies. Respondents may hesitate to be forthcoming during the process for the same reasons. 

It is in the best interest of the UHSP community that Complainants choose to give notice of misconduct to UHSP officials, that witnesses come forward to share what they know, and that all Parties be forthcoming during the process. To encourage reporting and participation in the process, UHSP maintains a policy of offering Parties and witnesses amnesty from minor policy violations related to the incident. Granting amnesty is a discretionary decision made by Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Coordinator. Amnesty does not apply to more serious allegations. The University will generally offer any student, whether the Complainant or a third Party, who reports violations of this policy limited immunity from being charged for policy violations related to alcohol use and/or drug use, provided that such violation(s) did not and do not place the health and safety of any person at risk. The University may choose, however, to pursue educational interventions with those individuals. 

Bystander Intervention

The University recognizes that at times some community members may be in dangerous or risky situations and encourages all community members to offer help and assistance to others in need by taking reasonable and prudent actions to prevent or stop an act of prohibited conduct from occurring.

Supportive Measures

UHSP may offer and implement appropriate and reasonable supportive measures to the Parties upon report of alleged sex-based discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. Supportive measures are non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services offered as appropriate and reasonably available. They are offered to restore or preserve access to employment. Education programs or activities, including measures designed to protect the safety of all Parties and/or UHSP’s work and/or educational environment and/or to deter discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation.

These actions may include, but are not limited to:

○ Referral to counseling, medical, and/or other healthcare services 
○ Referral to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 
○ Referral to community-based service providers 
○ Visa and immigration assistance 
○ Student financial aid counseling 
○ Education to the institutional community or community subgroup(s) 
○ Altering campus housing assignment(s) 
○ Altering work arrangements for employees or student-employees 
○ Safety planning 
○ Providing campus safety escorts 
○ Trespass Letters/Warnings, No Contact Orders or Be-On-the-Lookout (BOLO) orders coordinated with Public Safety 
○ Timely Warnings under Clery Act 
○ Class or work schedule modifications, withdrawals, or leaves of absence 
○ Adjustments within classes or labs such as changes to seating assignments or lab partners. 
○ Increased security and monitoring of certain areas of the campus  
○ Any other actions deemed appropriate by the Title IX Coordinator