Filing a Complaint
Who may file
a complaint?
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 or discriminatory harassment
to the Office of Institutional Equity. However, only those faculty
members, staff members, and students connected with the University are
eligible to file a complaint of discrimination or discriminatory harassment
with oie against another University faculty or staff member. In either
instance, the office will respond.
Additionally, any faculty, staff, or students connected with the University may file a complaint directly with oie 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 calling the Office of Institutional Equity at 734-763-0235 (V), 734-647-1388 (TTY). Or, directly contact an individual staff member at the office.
The Role of
the Office of Institutional Equity in Responding to Reports and
Complaints of Discrimination
The Office of Institutional Equity is an administrative office,
not an internal judicial or legal office. Its function is to determine
whether University policies or procedures regarding discrimination or
discriminatory harassment have been followed. If violations are found,
the Office works to remedy the situation and relieve the complainant of
the burden imposed on her or him by the inappropriate actions.
The oie consultant remains impartial at all times when investigating a charge of discrimination, discriminatory harassment, or retaliation. The consultant is neither an advocate nor an adversary with respect to the complainant, the person accused, or witnesses. The consultant is responsible for gathering any evidence that will help the University meet its requirements for nondiscrimination, regardless of whose position that evidence supports.
Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Resolution Goals
- Provide timely,
sensitive, and discreet responses to complaints and reports of discrimination,
discriminatory harassment and retaliation.
- Investigate complaints
and reports of discrimination thoroughly and impartially, and work to
arrive at an appropriate and equitable resolution.
- Work to improve the University's response to reports and complaints of discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and retaliation.
