Advising is intended to provide a forum for free and open discussion between the complainant and the advisor. Such discussions are kept as confidential as possible. During the advising process a complainant will be informed of the formal and informal options available. Mediation is intended to provide a forum where the complainant and the individual accused can, with the aid of a third party, come to a mutually agreed upon resolution. This forum is available only if both parties are willing to participate in the process.
Formal processes involve the filing of a formal complaint.
If the accused individual is a student, the matter will be referred to the student's Area Dean of Students for processing under student discipline procedures. If the accused is a staff member, Human Resources Management will coordinate the investigating process and take appropriate action, potentially culminating in a grievance hearing under a collective bargaining agreement for union employees or a hearing under the University's internal grievance procedure for non-union employees. Should the accused be a faculty member or academic employer, the faculty Sexual Harassment panel will hear the matter under its procedures. Employees accused of sexual harassment may initiate the use of any of the above procedures. The determination of the complaint will be handled in a fair and impartial manner.