Investigation and Resolution of Complaint
Given the nature of the type of conduct prohibited by this policy and the serious effects such conduct can have on the target of the conduct and the one accused of the conduct, the University takes every complaint of harassing behavior seriously and each report shall be investigated. The investigation will be conducted in as confidential a manner as circumstances permit to protect all parties involved, including witnesses. The University will not tolerate any retaliation against anyone who makes a report of harassing behavior or cooperates in an investigation of any complaint under this policy.
The responsibility for determining the need for and degree of administrative action to address a harassment complaint varies and is based upon the group to which the accused belongs. These groups include: faculty, staff, students and guests. Generally, complaints involving students only will be processed under the Community Standards process, and complaints involving non-students will be processed according to the procedures identified below.
The chart below indicates investigation and disciplinary authority as it relates to policy violations at DePauw:
Complainant |
Accused |
Investigating Responsibility |
Disciplinary Responsibility |
Procedural Guidance |
Student |
Student |
Office of Student Life – Title IX Coordinators |
Office of Student Life |
Student Handbook |
|
Staff or Guest |
Office of Student Life – Title IX Coordinators |
Human Resources |
Employee Guide |
|
Faculty member |
Office of Student Life – Title IX Coordinators |
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty |
Academic Handbook |
Staff or Guest |
Student |
Human Resources |
Office of Student Life |
Student Handbook |
|
Staff or Guest |
Human Resources |
Human Resources |
Employee Guide |
|
Faculty member |
Human Resources |
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty |
Academic Handbook |
Faculty |
Student |
Academic Affairs |
Office of Student Life |
Student Handbook |
|
Staff or Guest |
Academic Affairs |
Human Resources |
Employee Guide |
|
Faculty member |
Academic Affairs |
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty |
Academic Handbook |
The President and Director of Human Resources will be responsible for investigating complaints and determining the need and degree of administrative action for complaints against a Vice President of the University.
Violations of this policy will not be tolerated and will result in appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including discharge or dismissal. Please help us maintain a comfortable learning and work environment free from inappropriate and offensive conduct.
(endorsed in principle by the faculty in March 1999; established as University policy April 1999; revised August 2003; revised August 2011; revised August 2024)