The University of Michigan is reminding students, faculty and staff on the Ann Arbor campus to share information about sexual or gender-based misconduct with the university’s Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office.
While reporting is encouraged for all U-M community members, employees designated as individuals with reporting obligations are required under the university’s sexual and gender-based misconduct policy to report information on misconduct to ECRT.
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In a message to the Ann Arbor campus, U-M Title IX Coordinator Elizabeth Seney shared how to report information, what possible next steps can be taken after a report is made and available resources for those impacted by misconduct. Similar messages are being sent by the Title IX coordinators on the Dearborn and Flint campuses.
“Preventing and addressing sexual and gender-based misconduct is a critical effort for the University of Michigan as well as for our broader society,” said Seney, who also serves as director of sexual and gender-based misconduct at ECRT.
“As members of the U-M community, we all have a role to play in preventing and addressing behavior that is prohibited under university policy,” Seney said.
The U-M sexual and gender-based misconduct policy applies to all students, faculty, staff and third parties on the Ann Arbor (including Michigan Medicine), Dearborn and Flint campuses.
Individuals who are designated by the university as IROs include: university administrators, including regents, executive officers, deans, department heads and supervisors, and employees in certain designated positions, units or departments, including student life, human resources, athletics and the Division of Public Safety and Security.
There is no time limit for reporting an incident. However, Seney encouraged information about any misconduct conduct to be shared with ECRT as soon as possible so the office can respond quickly, equitably and appropriately.
She also noted that reports may be submitted anonymously, but that ECRT’s ability to investigate and respond to anonymous reports is limited to the level of information shared.
“ECRT reviews all information it receives for immediate next steps. Once a report is made, ECRT will reach out to the impacted party — if identified — to offer resources, support and information about possible next steps, including how to file a formal complaint,” Seney said.
Once a report is received, individuals can choose from several possible resolution pathways, including investigative resolution, adaptable resolution, mediation and other responsive actions.
Support is available with or without the above resolution pathways and includes: academic support and accommodations, university employment modifications, university housing modifications, counseling and/or medical services, security measures, contact restrictions, advocacy and assistance with legal or other external processes such as seeking a personal protection order.
Confidential resources also are available for students, faculty and staff.
