Complaints Against Faculty, Other Academic Appointees, and Postdoctoral Researchers

UChicago CARES/Equal Opportunity Programs is the primary point of contact for the Investigation & Administrative or Investigation & Hearing Body resolution processes for complaints against faculty, other academic appointees, and postdoctoral researchers. UChicago CARES Resolution Service also is the primary point of contact for alternative resolution.

File a complaint

Individuals wishing to file a complaint against a faculty member, other academic appointee, or postdoctoral researcher may do so online, using the Report an Incident form. Individuals must file a formal complaint to begin any resolution option under University policy.

Determination of applicable policy

For complaints alleging sexual misconduct, including:

• Sexual harassment
• Sexual assault
• Sexual abuse
• Dating violence
• Domestic violence
• Stalking

The Title IX Coordinator or their designee will review the formal complaint and determine whether the allegations if substantiated would constitute a violation of the Title IX Sexual Harassment or Retaliation as defined by the University’s Policy on Title IX Sexual Harassment. If the allegations would not, if substantiated, constitute a violation of the Title IX Sexual Harassment or Retaliation, the Title IX Coordinator or their designee will dismiss them under the Policy on Title IX Sexual Harassment.

If appropriate, the Title IX Coordinator or designee will refer them for resolution under the University’s Policy on Harassment, Discrimination, and Sexual Misconduct and related resolution options or to another office or applicable policy for review.

For more information, see the Policy on Title IX Sexual Harassment, Section XIV, Filing a Formal Complaint.

Investigative Resolution Options

Investigative Resolution options include investigations that are conducted by the University to determine whether a policy violation has occurred. The following Investigative Resolution options are available to resolve complaints against faculty, other academic appointees, and postdoctoral researchers:

Investigation and Administrative Resolution

UChicago CARES will lead an investigation by conducting an inquiry into the facts and determining if a violation of the Policy occurred and will then determine any appropriate next steps.

To learn more about Investigative/Administrative Resolution, see the Policy on Harassment, Discrimination, and Sexual Misconduct, and Process for the Investigation of Complaints Made Against Faculty, Other Academic Appointees, and Postdoctoral Researchers, or contact a member of the UChicago CARES Resolution Services team.

Investigation and Hearing Body Resolution (Panel on Unlawful Harassment)

UChicago CARES will investigate, and the matter is resolved through the Panel on Unlawful Harassment.

To learn more about Investigative/Hearing Body Resolution, see the Policy on Harassment, Discrimination, and Sexual Misconduct, and Process for the Investigation of Complaints Made Against Faculty, Other Academic Appointees, and Postdoctoral Researchers, or contact a member of the UChicago CARES Resolution Services team.

Investigation and Hearing Body Resolution Process for Title IX Sexual Harassment

To learn more about Investigation and Resolution by a Hearing Body (for formal complaints alleging Title IX Sexual Harassment) resolution options available for complaints against faculty, other academic appointees, and postdoctoral researchers, visit the Policy on Title IX Sexual Harassment and Formal Resolution Process for Title IX Sexual Harassment, or contact a member of the UChicago CARES Resolution Services team.

Alternative Resolution Options

UChicago CARES Resolution Services provides alternatives to the investigative resolution processes. Alternative resolutions must be voluntary by all parties and are binding. An alternative resolution process will be considered at the request of the Complainant. Resolution Services will evaluate each request for an alternative resolution on a case-by-case basis.

Types of Alternative Resolutions

1. Facilitated Conversation: a facilitated conversation between parties where facilitator helps parties engage in open dialogue regarding issues of concern. The facilitator assists parties in perspective sharing and gaining understanding and potentially resolving the conflict. Facilitated conversations can result in a mutually acceptable or agreed-upon resolution to a complaint.
2. Shuttle Diplomacy: a facilitated conversation between parties where the facilitator serves as an intermediary between the parties. The facilitator meets with each party independently in an attempt to come to a mutually acceptable or agreed-upon resolution to a complaint. Direct interaction between the parties is not required.
3. Conflict Coaching: a coach provides techniques to the individual reporting a conflict to help them facilitate a resolution and/or address their concerns independently.

Agreements reached as part of an alternative resolution are final and cannot be appealed. Parties are not bound to the alternative resolution process. The alternative resolution process can be terminated by any party or the facilitator if the parties are unable to agree upon a proposed resolution. If at any time the Title IX Coordinator or Facilitator determines prior to the signing of an agreement that Alternative Resolution is no longer appropriate, the process may be terminated and referred back to Investigative Resolution or Resolution by a Hearing body.

Alternative Resolution Process

For additional information on Alternative Resolution for complaints or concerns against faculty, other academic appointees, and postdoctoral researchers, see the Policy on Harassment, Discrimination, and Sexual Misconduct, Section XVII, Alternative Resolution.