201.89-1

Discrimination and Harassment

Applies to: All Faculty and Staff Members
  1. Policy

    It is the policy of the University of Michigan to maintain an academic and work environment free of discrimination and harassment for all students, faculty, and staff.  Discrimination and harassment are contrary to the standards of the University community.  They diminish individual dignity and impede educational opportunities, equal access to freedom of academic inquiry, and equal employment.  Discrimination and harassment are barriers to fulfilling the University’s scholarly, research, educational, patient care, and service missions.  Discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, disability, religion, height, weight or veteran’s status as set forth in SPG 201.35, Nondiscrimination Policy Notice will not be tolerated at the University of Michigan.  SPG 201.35, Nondiscrimination Policy Notice, also prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Those forms of discrimination and harassment are not  covered by this Policy and are instead addressed in SPG 601.89, Policy on Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct.

    The University is firmly committed to an environment free of discrimination and harassment as prohibited by this policy and federal and state laws.  The University has a compelling interest in assuring an environment in which learning and productive work thrives.  At the same time, the University has an equally compelling interest in protecting freedom of speech and academic freedom and in preserving the widest possible dialogue within its instructional and research settings.

    A claim under this policy may be brought by the University or by a faculty, staff or student member of the University community.  Complaints based on conduct of students who are not acting as employees of the University are addressed in the student statement or code on the applicable campus.  Rackham graduate students may also contact the Resolution Office in the Rackham Graduate School.  Persons who lodge discrimination or harassment complaints or participate in the investigation of such a complaint are protected from retaliation (e.g., adverse action or consequences) for those actions.  Retaliation will not be tolerated at the University of Michigan.

    Discrimination and harassment are very serious matters that can have far-reaching, current and future impacts on the lives, educational experience, and careers of individuals. Intentionally false accusations can have a similar impact.  A person who knowingly and intentionally files a false complaint under this policy is subject to University discipline.  Both a person who impermissibly discriminates against another, and a person who knowingly and intentionally files a false complaint under this policy, are subject to University discipline.

  2. Definition of Discrimination and Harassment

    For the purposes of determining whether a particular course of conduct constitutes discrimination or harassment under this policy, the following definition will be used:

    Conduct that is based upon an individual’s race, color, national origin, age, marital status, disability, religion, height, weight or veteran’s status that:

    1. adversely affects a term or condition of an individual’s employment, education, living environment or participation in a University activity;
    2. is used as the basis for or a factor in decisions affecting that individual’s employment, education, living environment or participation in a University activity; or
    3. has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s employment or educational performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, offensive, or abusive environment for that individual’s employment, education, living environment, or participation in a University activity.

    Consistent with state and federal law, reasonable accommodation will be provided to persons with disabilities and to accommodate religious practices.

    Some examples of conduct that may constitute prohibited discrimination may include, but are not limited to:

    1. Denying a person access to an educational program based on that person’s race, color, national origin, age, marital status, disability, religion, height, weight or veteran’s status;
    2. Denying raises, benefits, or promotions on the basis of a person’s race, color, national origin, age, marital status, disability, religion, height, weight or veteran’s status;
    3. Preventing any person from using University facilities or services because of that person’s race, color, national origin, age, marital status, disability, religion, height, weight or veteran’s status;
    4. Instigating or allowing an environment that is unwelcoming or hostile based on a person’s race, color, national origin, age, marital status, disability, religion, height, weight or veteran’s status.

    Although discrimination and harassment described and prohibited by this policy include a wide range of behaviors, certain conduct is not covered by this policy and is instead addressed elsewhere (e.g., SPG 201.96, SPG 601.89, and others).

  3. Response and Procedures

    1. Prevention and Education

      The University is committed to preventing and eliminating impermissible discrimination and harassment of students, faculty, and staff.  To that end, this policy will be published on the University’s web site. Information regarding discrimination and this policy will be included in orientation materials for new students, faculty, and staff and made available in the Equity, Civil Rights and Title XI Office ("ECRT") and other appropriate locations on each campus.  In addition, appropriate educational sessions will be conducted by the University on an ongoing basis to (1) inform students, faculty, and staff about identifying and preventing discrimination and harassment and the problems they cause, (2) advise members of the University community about their rights and responsibilities under this policy, and (3) train personnel in the administration of this policy.

    2. Assistance with Discrimination and Harassment Concerns

      ECRT  is responsible for ensuring and monitoring the University’s compliance with federal and state nondiscrimination laws. However, an environment free of impermissible discrimination and harassment is the responsibility of every member of the community.

      The University can take corrective action only when it becomes aware of problems.  Therefore, the University encourages persons who believe that they have experienced or witnessed discrimination or harassment as prohibited by this policy to come forward promptly with their inquiries, reports, or complaints and to seek assistance within the University.  Individuals also have the right to pursue a legal remedy for discrimination or harassment that is prohibited by law in addition to or instead of proceeding under this policy.

    3. Confidential Resources

      Information about or assistance with discrimination or harassment issues may be obtained from a variety of University resources.  Prior to or concurrent with lodging a discrimination or harassment complaint, individuals may find it helpful to consult with a counselor or otherwise seek assistance.  The following offices provide advice and support to individuals who believe they are experiencing discrimination or harassment.  All information shared with these offices will remain confidential to the extent permitted by law and University policy.  Discussions with representatives of these offices will not be considered a report to the University regarding the problematic behavior and will not, without additional action by the complainant, result in intervention or corrective action.

      Ann Arbor and Michigan Medicine

      FASCCO — Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office (Faculty and Staff)
      (734) 936-8660
      https://hr.umich.edu/benefits-wellness/health-well-being/mental-emotional-health/mental-health-counseling-consultation-services/faculty-staff-counseling-consultation-office-fascco

      Michigan Medicine Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience (Michigan Medicine Faculty and Staff)
      (734) 763-5409
      https://hr.umich.edu/benefits-wellness/health-well-being/mental-emotional-health/mental-health-counseling-consultation-services/michigan-medicine-office-counseling-workplace-resilience

      Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) (Students)
      (734) 764-8312
      https://caps.umich.edu/

      CEW+ - Center for the Education of Women +
      (734) 764-6005
      https://caps.umich.edu/

      Office of the Ombuds (Students)
      (734) 763-3545
      https://ombuds.umich.edu/

      University Faculty Ombuds (Faculty)
      (734) 763-2707
      https://facultyombuds.umich.edu/

      Staff Ombuds (Staff)
      (734) 936-0600
      https://staffombuds.umich.edu

      Dearborn Campus

      FASCCO - Faculty and Staff Consultation Office (Faculty and Staff)
      (734) 936-8660
      https://hr.umich.edu/benefits-wellness/health-well-being/mental-emotional-health/mental-health-counseling-consultation-services/faculty-staff-counseling-consultation-office-fascco

      UM-Dearborn Counseling and Psychological Services (Students)
      (313) 593-5430
      http://www.umdearborn.edu/students/counseling-and-psychological-services-caps

      Faculty Ombuds
      (313) 593-5240
      https://umdearborn.edu/faculty-staff/faculty-senate/faculty-ombuds

      Ombuds Services (Students)
      (313) 593-5440
      https://umdearborn.edu/students/ombuds-services

      Ombuds Services (Staff)
      (734) 939-0600
      https://staffombuds.umich.edu (https://staffombuds.umich.edu

      Project Manager, Violence Prevention and Response Initiatives (Students, Faculty, and Staff)
      [email protected]

      Flint Campus

      FASCCO — Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office (Faculty and Staff)
      (734) 936-8660
      https://hr.umich.edu/benefits-wellness/health-well-being/mental-emotional-health/mental-health-counseling-consultation-services/faculty-staff-counseling-consultation-office-fascco

      UM-Flint Counseling and Psychological Services (Students)
      (810) 762-3456
      https://www.umflint.edu/caps/counseling-and-psychological-services-caps

      U-M Flint Faculty Ombuds
      (810) 762-3424
      https://www.umflint.edu/provost/resources/

    4. Lodging a Complaint

      An individual who wishes to complain to the University about alleged discriminatory or harassing behavior or retaliation covered by this policy should contact a University official, such as ECRT; a supervisor; Dean, Director or department head; the appropriate Human Resources Office; the Dean of Students (for students); or the Dean’s Office of the Horace H. Rackham Graduate School (for graduate students).  If an employee is represented by a union and the terms of the collective bargaining agreement provide a procedure for pursuing a discrimination or harassment complaint covered by this policy, the terms of the collective bargaining agreement shall prevail.  If the complaint covered by his policy is against a student, the complainant may elect to pursue a formal charge through the appropriate student grievance procedure.  In addition, any member of the University community may utilize appropriate University resources for guidance and support during the investigation process (e.g., Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office, Counseling and Psychological Services for Students, etc.). 

      To ensure objective investigations and decision-making, reports of behavior covered by this policy against any staff member of ECRT, or against certain staff members of ECRT's supervising office on each campus should be made to the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (EVP/CFO), or their designee. For Ann Arbor and Michigan Medicine, this includes reports of Prohibited Conduct regarding the President; the President's staff in the Office of the President (excluding Executive Officers); or an employee of ECRT. For Dearborn this includes reports of Prohibited Conduct regarding the Chancellor; the Chancellor’s Chief of Staff; or an Employee of ECRT. For Flint, this includes reports of Prohibited Conduct regarding the Chancellor or an Employee of ECRT. Making a report means informing the EVP/CFO about the suspected Prohibited Conduct.

    5. Investigation and Investigation Procedures

      The University will handle discrimination and harassment complaints under this policy consistently with procedural guidelines developed to ensure prompt and equitable resolution of such complaints.  Complainants and Respondents will be given copies of the procedural guidelines, and the guidelines will also be made readily available to the University community.  The matter will then proceed to investigation or other form of effective and fair review. The investigation or review may be performed by ECRT, or jointly with another office, as determined by ECRT.

      The purpose of an investigation under this policy, which will include interviewing the parties and witnesses, is to gather and assess evidence. During the course of an investigation, the investigating office will work collaboratively with other appropriate University offices.  For example, if a faculty member is involved in a complaint, ECRT would generally work collaboratively with the Office of the Provost; the appropriate Dean, Director or Department Head; and Academic Human Resources.  If a staff member is involved in the complaint under this policy, ECRT would work collaboratively with Staff Human Resources, the supervisor, the Unit Human Resources Representative and other appropriate departmental and University officials.

      Possible outcomes of an investigation under this policy are:

      1. a finding that the allegations are not warranted or could not be substantiated,
      2. a finding that the allegations are substantiated and constitute discrimination or inappropriate behavior and, if so,
      3. referral to the appropriate administrative authority for corrective action.
    6. Corrective Action

      Corrective action under this policy could include a requirement not to repeat or continue the discriminatory, harassing, or retaliatory conduct, a reprimand, denial of a merit pay increase, reassignment, suspension and termination.  The severity of the punishment will depend on the frequency and severity of the offense and any history of past discriminatory, harassing or retaliatory conduct.  A finding of discrimination or harassment under this policy may be cause for the separation of the offending party from the University in accordance with University procedures, including, for covered faculty, the procedures set forth in Regents’ Bylaw 5.09. Every effort will be made to assure University-wide uniformity of sanctions for similar offenses.

    7. University Action

      The University may assume the role of a complainant and pursue a report or complaint, either informally or formally under this policy.  The University may respond to complaints or reports by persons external to the University community about alleged discriminatory and harassing conduct by University employees.  If the accused is a faculty member to whom Regents’ Bylaw 5.09 applies, the Provost or executive authority of the relevant unit may initiate the procedures of Bylaw 5.09 at any stage in the process, if the circumstances indicate that such action is warranted.

    8. Retaliation

      The University will take appropriate steps to assure that a person who in good faith reports, complains about, or participates in an informal resolution or formal investigation of a discrimination or harassment allegation under this policy will not be subjected to retaliation.  The University also will take appropriate steps to assure that a person against whom such an allegation is made is treated fairly.  The University will also take appropriate follow-up measures to assure the goals of this policy are met.  Persons who believe they are experiencing retaliation are strongly encouraged to lodge a complaint with the University using the same procedure for lodging a discrimination or harassment complaint.

The Procedural Guidelines for Handling Discrimination and Harassment Complaints under this policy may be found at: https://hr.umich.edu/working-u-m/management-administration/uhr-procedures/20189-1-discrimination-harassment

Notes

Changes were made to this SPG in March 2022 to reflect revisions to SPG 601.89, the Policy on Sexual and Gender‐Based Misconduct, and changes from the Office for Institutional Equity to the Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office.

Changes were made to this SPG in August, 2020 to reflect the new SPG, 601.89 and the Interim Policy on Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct.

Changes were made to this SPG on Feb. 23, 2018 to reflect changes to the names of the University’s employee assistance programs:  Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office and Michigan Medicine Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience.

SPG Number
201.89-1
Date Issued
Last Updated
Next Review Date
Applies To
All Faculty and Staff Members
Owner
University Human Resources; Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Primary Contact
Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office