To enable the University of Michigan to be responsive to potential federal Title VI violations, it is clarifying its role in reporting alleged student policy violations and the timeline for resolving matters under the updated Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities for the Ann Arbor campus.
The update, effective immediately, was approved by the Board of Regents July 18 at its regular meeting.
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The action marks a key step in strengthening the student accountability process and supports maintaining a campus environment free from harassment and intimidation.
The Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities serves as the primary policy to hold students accountable for non-academic misconduct. It is designed to promote “intellectual inquiry through vigorous discourse” and the values of civility, dignity, diversity, education, equality, equity, freedom, honesty and safety.
Clarifying updates to the statement include adding language that the university — similarly to faculty, staff and students — may submit a complaint alleging a statement violation. This step clarifies and confirms the university’s ability and need to sometimes act as a complainant, including when a student might not feel safe serving as a complainant.
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This action is consistent with U-M’s recent agreement with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights to investigate allegations of violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which requires schools to take action against harassment and work to avoid a hostile environment related to race, color and national origin.
Additionally, timeframes have been added to the various steps within the resolution process in an effort to resolve matters swiftly and within the overall target of approximately 45 days from the time a student has been made aware their behavior may have violated the statement. Individuals continue to have six months from the time an incident occurs to file a complaint. These timeframes will ensure that the rights of both the complainant and respondent are honored by ensuring efficient resolution of cases.
In addition to the action of the regents, the university conducts a review process, led by the Student Relations Advisory Committee in coordination with the Office of Student Conflict Resolution and Central Student Government, every three years. The next amendment cycle is planned for this fall.
