Prohibition of Harassment and Discrimination
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Review this page to understand the University of Rochester’s commitment to prohibiting harassment and discrimination, including policy details and steps you can take to get support.
Topics on this page:
Our commitment to nondiscrimination
The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion to advance the University’s mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better.
In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other status protected by law.
This commitment extends to the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates from underrepresented populations, veterans, and persons with disabilities consistent with these values and government contractor Affirmative Action obligations. Further, the University’s Vision and Values Statement sets the highest standards for conduct to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.
Policy against Discrimination and Harassment (PADH)
The Policy against Discrimination, Harassment, and Discriminatory Employment/Service Practices (“PADH”) prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, gender identity or expression including transgender and gender-expansive identities, genetic information, marital status, familial status or an individual’s reproductive health decision making, military/veteran status, national origin, race (including hairstyle), religion/creed (including religious attire and facial hair), sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other status protected by law.
Discrimination or harassment (including hostile work environment harassment) based on protected status will not be tolerated and is considered misconduct that will be subject to discipline.
Disclaimers
- Student disclaimer: Note that the PADH is not intended to be used for complaints against students. For complaints against students, the Standards of Student Conductapply or related process applies.
- Anonymity disclaimer: You may submit a report anonymously; however, if an investigator cannot contact you for more information, the University’s ability to take action in response to your complaint may be significantly limited.
- Retaliation disclaimer: University policy prohibits any student, faculty, or staff member from retaliating against someone for making a good faith PADH complaint.
Filing a harassment and discrimination report
Members of the University community are encouraged to report discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in accordance with the PADH. This includes members of the University community who feel that they have experienced behavior that violates the PADH or who witness or become aware of conduct that they believe violates the PADH.
To file a report, use the online PADH report form. The Civil Rights Compliance team within the Office of University Engagement and Enrichment conducts neutral and impartial investigations into all reports submitted through the online form.
All employees
All employees, staff, and faculty of the University who do not serve in a Confidential Employee role must notify the Title IX Office or Title IX Coordinator directly when they receive information about conduct that reasonably may constitute Prohibited Conduct as defined in the Title IX Policy, including Retaliation. If you are an employee who received a disclosure of sexual misconduct, please make a report via this reporting form.
Managers
Management and supervisory personnel and Human Resources Business Partners who observe, receive or learn of reports or concerns of perceived discrimination, harassment, or retaliation that fall within the PADH must report those concerns or reports to the Office of University Engagement and Enrichment, upon making such observation or being informed of such a concern or report, and preferably via the online PADH report form.
Student employees
The following student-employees who receive disclosures while acting in their student-employment capacity are also expected to make a report directly to the Title IX Office:
- Residential Life Staff
- All student employees with responsibility for teaching or advising
Training
Visit our Training and Education page to get information about our required annual training, and to explore training and educational opportunities related to harassment and discrimination—including on-demand options within MyPath.
Learn about training opportunities
PADH panel chairs and members training
Following an investigation under the PADH conducted by the Office of University Engagement and Enrichment’s Civil Rights Compliance Team, the PADH requires that investigatory reports be sent to a decision-making panel for a determination as to whether the Policy has been violated and, if so, what the appropriate sanctions/remedies might be.
All University faculty and staff who have been identified as potential panel members are required to participate in a two-part training program before participating in any PADH decision-making panel:
- Part 1: A one-hour-long pre-recorded Zoom session that is available to be reviewed at your convenience. For access to this file, please contact our team.
- Part 2: An hour-long small group (10-20 individuals) training session that will be conducted via Zoom and will provide participants with practical experience working through a sample PADH matter.