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University Prohibition of Harassment and Discrimination

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.

University of Rochester’s Nondiscrimination Statement 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.


Contact Us

If you require further information, please contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion.

Email: equityandinclusion@rochester.edu


The 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.

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.

FILE A COMPLAINT

The Civil Rights Compliance team within the Institutional Office of Equity and Inclusion conducts neutral and impartial investigations into all reports submitted through this link.

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 Equity and Inclusion, upon making such observation or being informed of such a concern or report, and preferably via the online PADH report form.

In addition, any person who is a “Responsible Employee” under the University’s Student Sexual Misconduct Policy or the Title IX Policy, who learns that a student may have been involved in an incident of sexual misconduct, must promptly report that information to the University’s Title IX Coordinator.

University policy prohibits any student, faculty, or staff member from retaliating against someone for making a good faith PADH complaint.

Note that the PADH is not intended to be used for complaints against students. For complaints against students, the Standards of Student Conduct apply or the Student Sexual Misconduct Policy and related process applies. See the Student Conduct website.

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.

Need further assistance?

If you have questions regarding whether or not your concerns fall within the PADH, please email any inquiries to  PADH@rochester.edu. Depending on what information you share with PADH@rochester.edu, the University may have an obligation to further review your concerns. If you would rather express your complaint verbally, please contact PADH@rochester.edu to schedule a conversation with an investigator.

Individuals needing assistance in completing the PADH complaint form (including if you require a translator) should contact the Office of the University Ombuds at (585) 275-9125.

Training and Education

For training and educational opportunities related to harassment and discrimination as well as information about our required annual training, click here.

Information regarding training for PADH panel chairs and panel members

Following an investigation under the PADH conducted by the Institutional Office of Equity and Inclusion’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 is a one-hour-long pre-recorded Zoom session that is available to be reviewed at your convenience. For access to this file, please contact Christine Federation at cfederat@ur.rochester.edu

PART 2 consists of 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.