Resolution Options

The Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) is dedicated to addressing concerns of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. 

Consultation

Faculty, staff and students may meet with OEO for consultation about concerns they think may be related to sexual misconduct and discrimination or harassment. These consultations are aimed at clarifying issues and identifying appropriate actions, options, possible solutions, and available resources and support. OEO can also provide conflict coaching in supporting clients to resolve conflict issues, develop conflict resolution skills, and/or increase their conflict management competency.  Issues and disputes that are not related to OEO will be referred to other campus units for appropriate resources or resolution.

Facilitation

Facilitation is an informal resolution option in which OEO staff facilitate conversation and dialogue between and among the parties to a concern or complaint.

  • A facilitated conversation is a constructive dialogue between two or more individuals, facilitated by an OEO staff member, that offers space for voices to be heard and perspectives to be shared. Because it is a conversation, working toward a particular resolution or agreement is not the intended outcome.  In addition, the facilitated conversation is not part of, and does not imply or initiate, any formal complaint or investigation. Rather, the conversation itself offers an informal resolution to the concerns an individual engaged our office to address.
  • Shuttle diplomacy is an indirect facilitated conversation in which OEO meets individually with each party to discuss experiences and perspectives while working toward meeting expressed needs. The parties do not come together in the same room; rather, the parties communicate via an OEO staff member who “shuttles” between the parties.
  • Mediation is a process for parties to resolve a dispute with the help of a neutral OEO staff member who helps them discuss their conflict/differences toward jointly resolving their concerns. OEO does not “take a side.” Rather, the OEO staff member guides the process, and the parties do the work of making decisions and coming up with solutions.
  • An impact statement is an opportunity for a party to communicate a statement, written or oral, to be shared with the other party. An impact statement describes the effect that the alleged misconduct has on the party.
  • Restorative justice is a framework and process that addresses the harm caused by misconduct and creates the conditions for making it safe for a individual who has engaged in misconduct to be actively accountable for the harm they caused, and builds community.  Restorative justice is a collaborative resolution option that emphasizes repairing the harm caused by misconduct.
  • In an agreed resolution, the respondent agrees to some or all of the misconduct alleged by the complainant. Agreed resolutions are not introduced as evidence of responsibility. Any agreements that are reached as part of the Agreed Resolution process are signed by all complainant/s and respondent/s and must be approved by the Executive Director of OEO. 

Investigation

An investigation is a formal resolution process. “Investigation” refers to the process that the University uses to review allegations and gather relevant evidence. An investigation requires a Formal Complaint Form signed by the complainant. Unless a respondent accepts responsibility, at the conclusion of the investigation, adjudication will be conducted to determine (1) whether or not conduct in violation of University policy occurred, and (2) if the conduct occurred, what actions the University will take to respond, remediate, eliminate, and prevent recurrence of the prohibited conduct within the University community.

Reports vs Complaints

  • A report is a notification (which can be made via email, over the phone, in person, or anonymously) of an incident of alleged misconduct or of concerning conduct.  When OEO receives a report, OEO sends an email outreach to the impacted party offering resources and support options. A report to OEO is not a complaint and does not initiate an investigation, a Formal Complaint, a report to law enforcement, a report to the impacted party’s employer/unit, or contact with the person alleged to have engaged in misconduct.
  • A complaint is a document filed and signed by a Complainant alleging misconduct by a named Respondent requesting a formal investigation into those allegations according to University policy.