Discrimination Complaints

Complaints alleging discrimination based on race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, associational preference, or any other classification that deprives the person of consideration as an individual, may be brought to the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) pursuant to the Policy on Human Rights. Any student, staff member, or faculty member may file a complaint of discrimination with the OIE against any other member of the university community who is believed to have violated the policy. Where appropriate, such complaints may be filed against units, departments, or other organizational components of the University.

Discrimination complaints may be filed as either informal or formal complaints with the OIE.

For more information, consult the OIE Complaint Response and Investigation website.

Harassment Complaints

Similarly, persons who believe they have been the target of harassment based upon their protected class status, may contact the OIE to discuss filing a complaint under the university’s Anti-Harassment Policy.

This policy addresses harassment in all forms based on any classification covered by law and/or the university’s Human Rights Policy (with the exception of sexual harassment, which is addressed in the university’s Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy), as well as harassment based on other factors as set forth in this policy.

The purpose of this policy is to prevent harassment within the University of Iowa community and to provide a process for addressing all forms of harassment if and when they occur. To review the complete policy, please see: http://opsmanual.uiowa.edu/community-policies/anti-harassment.

Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct

Complaints of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, dating/domestic violence, and/or stalking are governed by the Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy.

The University takes all incidents of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, dating/domestic violence, and/or stalking very seriously. A student may make a UI policy complaint about sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, dating/domestic violence, and/or stalking by contacting the Office of Institutional Equity Title IX and Gender Equity Unit at 319-335-0705.

A student may also make a criminal complaint about sexual misconduct, dating/domestic violence, and/or stalking to the appropriate law enforcement authorities, which would be the UI Department of Public Safety (319-335-5022) in the case of misconduct that occurs on campus. Not all sexual misconduct, dating/domestic violence, and stalking is criminal behavior. Law enforcement authorities can assist a student in determining whether the conduct experienced was criminal in nature and warrants a criminal complaint.

A student may need support when talking with law enforcement or University administrators. Students are entitled to be assisted by a certified victim advocate at every stage of the process and are encouraged to consult with the victim advocate and bring the victim advocate to meetings.

For more information consult the following websites/offices:

Office of Institutional Equity
Website https://diversity.iowa.edu/division/oie
Tel. 319-335-0705