Experiencing a concern related to bias or belonging?

As an educational and research institution, the University of Iowa is fully committed to free inquiry and vigorous debate. Free expression, academic freedom, and diversity of perspectives are all crucial to the fulfillment of our core mission. The robust exchange of diverse ideas is the essence of a public research university. You can learn more about this commitment at the Free Speech website.

Navigating situations involving speech that you have experienced or witnessed can be challenging, especially if it feels personal to your identity and sense of belonging. Below is a list of resources that are available to assist undergraduate, graduate, and professional students who have concerns about actions of others that have led them to feel excluded at the university.

Resources for Support

Student Care and Assistance: Provides support to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students experiencing a crisis, emergency, or difficult time impacting their ability to succeed.

Multicultural and International Student Support and Engagement (MISSE): MISSE is committed to supporting student success on the University of Iowa campus through planned activities at the four UI Cultural and LGBTQ Resource Centers, annual diversity programs, and student organization events.

University Counseling Service (UCS)*: UCS supports mental well-being and helps undergraduate, graduate, and professional students succeed at Iowa through individual therapy, group therapy, connection to community providers, and through a wide arrange of programs.

University Housing & Dining: Residence Education (only undergraduate students): If you have concerns that have taken place in your on-campus living, Residence Education will be able to assist you through support and navigating options.

Student Disability Services (SDS): Provides support and academic accommodations for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students with disabilities. SDS collaborates with students, faculty, and staff to create an accessible educational environment for all.

Domestic Violence Intervention Program/Rape Victim Advocacy Program: The Mission of DVIP & RVAP is to provide comprehensive support and advocacy services to victim-survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, dating violence, stalking, and human trafficking, focusing on immediate and long-term safety, empowerment, dignity, and hope. Support for victim-survivors and their loved ones is available in Johnson, Iowa, Cedar, Des Moines, Henry, Lee, Van Buren and Washington Counties.

Women's Resource and Action Center (WRAC)*: WRAC works to create greater equity for individuals and communities of all identities, with a particular focus on women, through activism, social justice initiatives, leadership training, advocacy, service, and personal and professional development.

Office of Access and Support (OAS): The Office of Access and Support (OAS) provides campus wide recruitment, retention, and accreditation support while building the skill sets for Hawkeyes to lead our global workforce.

The Office of Graduate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Grad-DEI): Grad DEI is committed to fostering a welcoming environment for graduate student populations that are historically underserved and underrepresented in higher education through individual support for graduate students experiencing isolation, micro-aggressions, or other factors, sponsoring events and programming, and providing training, networking, and community building.

Office of the Ombudsperson (Ombuds Office)*: The Ombuds Office is a resource for any member of the university community -- including undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, staff, postdocs, residents and fellows-- with a problem or concern. They offer a safe place to discuss conflicts or any concerns you might have about the university or its policies or procedures, and we will answer your questions, help you figure out your options, refer you to other offices if necessary, and help you resolve your concerns. They can also provide informal conflict resolution, mediation services and advocacy for fair treatment and fair process.

*Denotes a confidential resource

Resources to Explore Reporting Options

The Office of Institutional Equity (OIE): OIE supports the university by providing all members of the community with expert advice, education, and services that ensure the university’s compliance with all applicable federal, state, and university equal opportunity, affirmative action, nondiscrimination, sexual misconduct, gender equity, Title IX and civil rights laws, regulations, and policies. The unit works with faculty, staff, and students who believe they may have been subjected to prohibited harassment, discrimination, unfair or inequitable treatment in violation of the University's policies and also provides guidance to University administrators working to resolve concerns in their designated work areas.

Office of Student Accountability (OSA): OSA is dedicated to encouraging responsible community behavior, educating UI students, and facilitating accountability in situations where violations of the Code of Student Life have occurred.

Office of the Ombudsperson (Ombuds Office)*: The Ombuds Office is a resource for any member of the university community -- including undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, staff, postdocs, residents and fellow-- with a problem or concern. They offer a safe place to discuss conflicts or any concerns you might have about the university or its policies or procedures, and we will answer your questions, help you figure out your options, refer you to other offices if necessary, and help you resolve your concerns. They can also provide informal conflict resolution, mediation services and advocacy for fair treatment and fair process.

University of Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS): DPS is responsible for providing emergency response on the University of Iowa campus. If you are experiencing an urgent safety concern, whether on campus or off campus, please call 911 for immediate assistance.

*Denotes a confidential resource