The Affirmative Action Office has primary responsibility for resolving sexual harassment complaints. In addition, vice presidents, deans, campus executive officers, and provosts/deans will designate one or more individuals in their areas as sexual harassment resource persons to assist in resolving complaints of sexual harassment from faculty, staff and students. Also, the Division of Student Affairs will designate a staff member to receive complaints from students. The Affirmative Action Office will ensure resource persons receive the necessary training and support to handle their responsibilities.

Any member of the University community who experiences sexual harassment should immediately report the incident to the Affirmative Action Office, a sexual harassment resource person, an administrator in his or her department or unit, or the Office of Human Resources. In cases where an individual reports alleged sexual harassment to an administrator, faculty member, or staff member, the person receiving the complaint should contact the Affirmative Action Office to discuss resolution and ensure consistent responses to issues across units.

The University will make every effort to promptly investigate and resolve complaints of sexual harassment, with due regard for fairness and the rights of both the complainant and alleged offender, and to conduct all proceedings in the most confidential manner possible. If unsuccessful at resolving the issue informally, the Affirmative Action Office may investigate to gather information necessary to reach a formal determination on the merits of the allegations. Investigations will include notifying the alleged offender of the complaint and providing an opportunity to respond to the allegations.

If there is evidence of sexual harassment, the University will make every effort to ensure the harassment immediately stops and does not recur. The complainant will be informed of the corrective measures taken.

The University prohibits retaliation against anyone who files a complaint and/or participates in an investigation involving alleged sexual harassment.

Affirmative Action Office
328 Boucke, University Park, PA 16802
Phone: (814) 863-0471 V/TTY

Web page last modified February 9, 2012