Frequently Asked Questions

There is a distinction between seeking support and resources and initiating a resolution process. Students can receive applicable resources and support from UChicago CARES and can then decide if they want to proceed with an investigation and initiate a resolution process. Note that in rare circumstances, the University may be obligated to proceed with an investigation. If this happens, the student will be notified. If the student would like to proceed with the resolution process, UChicago CARES connects them with the appropriate campus partner responsible for the resolution process for follow-up and next steps. During the resolution process, all parties involved, including complainant and respondent, can meet with UChicago CARES to receive support services.

Please note that any information shared with UChicago CARES in seeking out support/resources is not shared with the Associate Dean of Students in the University for Disciplinary Affairs for the basis of any formal disciplinary complaint. Those processes are separate, and the University-wide Disciplinary Committee does not see notes or other documents collected by the UChicago CARES to make a determination of responsibility/sanctions.

UChicago CARES receives reports from a variety of sources, and anytime we receive information related to discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct, we count that as a report. With every report, the University makes outreach to the affected person (if the University has been given the person’s name, which is not always the case), and invites them to meet with a member of the UChicago CARES team to receive support and additional information about resources, options for reporting to law enforcement (where applicable) and engaging in the University’s resolution processes. These reports do not always lead to a resolution process for a variety of reasons:

• People affected do not always respond to initial outreach from UChicago CARES.
• People affected who do meet with us receive support, resources, and accommodations, but may choose not to provide a formal written complaint, which is the necessary precursor to any resolution process. Individuals can choose to not move forward with the University’s resolution processes and can still receive support services.
• The report may not be eligible to enter into the University’s resolution processes due to the status of the alleged respondent (i.e., they may not be affiliated with the University or are unknown to the University).
• Reports can be anonymous notifications from confidential resources or anonymous completion of the electronic report found on UMatter and therefore initial outreach cannot be made to these individuals.

University employees not designated as confidential resources are considered “Individuals with Title IX Reporting Responsibilities” and must report all incidents of gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking to UChicago CARES. “Individuals with Reporting Responsibilities” means any faculty member, other academic appointee, postdoctoral researcher, or staff employee who would be reasonably expected to have the authority or duty to report or take action to redress sexual misconduct. “Individuals with Reporting Responsibilities” include (among others) faculty and instructors, RAs, Resident Heads, Resident Deans, TAs, preceptors, UCPD staff, and all other University staff. Individuals with Reporting Responsibilities are also encouraged to report incidents of other forms of discrimination and harassment to UChicago CARES.

All residential staff, including student employees, are considered Individuals with Reporting Responsibilities and must report any sexual misconduct related incident to UChicago CARES. “Individuals with Reporting Responsibilities” means any faculty member, other academic appointee, postdoctoral researcher, or staff employee who would reasonably be expected to have the authority or duty to report or take action to redress sexual misconduct. “Individuals with Reporting Responsibilities” include (among others) faculty and instructors, RAs, Resident Heads, Resident Deans, TAs, preceptors, UCPD staff, and all other University staff. Individuals with Reporting Responsibilities are also encouraged to report incidents of other forms of discrimination and harassment to UChicago CARES.

Students can expect to receive an email outreach outlining information on confidential resources, supportive measures, resolution options, and resources and referrals. Students are not obligated to respond to this outreach or engage with UChicago CARES. Individuals can choose not to move forward with resolution options, but still receive support services. In rare circumstances, UChicago CARES may need to move forward with an investigation based on information already received. If this happens, the students will be notified.

There is no time limit for reporting incidents. We do encourage reporting an incident as soon as possible in order to maximize our ability to respond promptly and effectively.

We are primarily concerned with ensuring that students who have experienced sexual misconduct have access to services and reporting options without fear that that engagement with UChicago CARES will lead to other disciplinary concerns. Except in very rare circumstances, the University will not pursue disciplinary charges related to underage drinking or drug use by the reporting person if that policy violation comes to light as the result of a sexual misconduct complaint. If this is of any concern to you, please contact us and we can discuss any concerns you may have.

For Students: the confidential resources are the Sexual Assault Deans on Call (available 24/7 through the UChicago Safe App), UChicago Student Wellness (for medical care, mental health care, and health promotion), and Ordained Religious Advisors.

For Faculty, Other Academic Appointees, Postdoctoral Researchers, and Staff: Perspectives is the confidential resource for the Employee Assistance Program

When UChicago CARES receives a report, we only reach out to the person who was harmed, or who the report is about. We will not report to law enforcement or contact the person who you report harmed you without your permission or explicit request to do so. There may be rare circumstances in which UChicago CARES may have to move forward with an investigation based on information already received, which may include notification of the person you reported harmed you. If this happens, you will be notified.

No. When a student turns 18 years old or enters a postsecondary institution at any age, the rights under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) transfer from the parents to the student.

Yes. The support and resources the UChicago CARES provides are available regardless of whether a formal complaint is ever filed.

Yes. Our services are available to all individuals, of all genders, identities, expressions, and experiences.

UChicago CARES offers a wide range of support and resources, including on and off campus resources, medical and mental health referrals, legal referrals, accommodations, no contact directives, pregnancy accommodations, incident notation/tracking, and holistic support for people experiencing gender-based discrimination.

You can support a friend, or anyone close to you who has experienced any form of discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct by listening to them, and empowering them to make their own decisions. Use supportive language and avoid phrases that downplay or blame. Do not press them for details, and help them find resources for support, if that is what they want. As you support your friend, you may also need some support yourself, which is very normal. It can be just as important for you to reach out for support yourself.

No. Individuals participating in a resolution process do not need an attorney. Each party has the opportunity to have an advisor of their choice accompany them to any meeting related to the resolution process. This individual may be, but is not required to be, an attorney.

Alternative Resolution is a process through which parties voluntarily engage with an impartial facilitator to discuss remedies with the goal of resolving a formal complaint under the University’s Policy on Harassment, Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct or Policy on Title IX Sexual Harassment without going through the Investigative Resolution processes. Alternative Resolution is a non-disciplinary process and does not include any factual investigation or substantive determination under University policy.

Yes, any agreement reached during an alternative resolution process is binding. An alternative resolution agreement must be approved by the Associate Provost for Equal Opportunity Programs. The agreement is signed by both parties and the Associate Provost. The agreement is final, and the parties are bound by its terms. The allegations addressed in the agreement are considered resolved and will not be subject to further investigation, adjudication, remediation, or discipline by the University, except as otherwise provided in the agreement itself, absent a showing that a party induced the agreement by fraud, misrepresentation, or other misconduct or where required to avoid a manifest injustice to either party or to the University.

The University may investigate and discipline a party alleged to have breached an alternative resolution agreement.

An alternative resolution may be requested by the Complainant only. However, both parties must voluntarily agree to participate in the alternative resolution process.

To connect with any member of the UChicago CARES team, contact us by email or phone.

For more information on annual statistics and other data, visit the UChicago CARES Annual Reporting page.

For some students, taking this course may trigger strong feelings related to past experiences. If this is the case for you, contact UChicago CARES at titleix@uchicago.edu. We can provide you with an exemption for the course as well as let you know of additional support and resources available to you.

Please contact UChicago CARES at titleix@uchicago.edu

For help troubleshooting technological issues, visit this support page.

You may want to try again using the below technical considerations:

• Please use any major web browser (e.g., Firefox, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome) released within the previous two years.
• Clear all caches.
• Try using the “incognito” setting with your browser

Ensure you have completed all required trainings. Once holds are placed, they will be removed daily pending completion of your specific course. If you have completed all components outside of the last 24 hours, but still have a hold on your account, contact titleix@uchicago.edu.

Contact Emily Schulze, from UChicago Student Wellness, by email at eschulze@uchicago.edu, with any questions or concerns. Please note, UChicago CARES does not manage the AlcoholEDU OR Mental Well-Being courses.

No. Previous training on these subjects does not exempt students from this requirement as it is mandated annually by Illinois state law.

Contact UChicago CARES at titleix@uchicago.edu.

Learners can see all previously completed courses for reference in Workday Learning. To see courses once completed, follow the steps below.

1. Login to Workday at workday.uchicago.edu. 
2. From the Homepage, select either Menu or View All Apps.
3. From Menu, Select Learning.
4. Select My Learning, and choose My Learning Transcript.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete the online course, please contact UChicago CARES by email at equalopportunity@uchicago.edu, or by phone at 773-834-6367.

This course contains content involving sexual violence and may be triggering to some individuals. If you feel you may have difficulty completing this course, please contact UChicago CARES by email at equalopportunity@uchicago.edu, or by phone at 773-834-6367, to discuss alternatives.

Please contact UChicago CARES by email at equalopportunity@uchicago.edu, or by phone at 773-834-6367.

HRPs, Academic HRPs, and Learning Partners have access the following reports:

1. RPT – Tracking Compliance Training by Course (matrix view) – providing a snap shot view by completion status.
2. RPT – Tracking Compliance Training by Completion Status (list view) – sorted list by completion status.
3. RPT – Tracking Compliance Training by Worker (matrix view) – providing a snap shot view of the total number of requirements assigned to each person and the number that are completed or incomplete.

These reports are specific to the requirements for the Annual Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training (including the manager supplemental course) and the Protecting Youth course. Each report identifies each workers course assignments, due dates, completion dates and indicators if their completion will be considered overdue.

All three reports can be viewed through the HR Partner Dashboard as seen below.