Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy Update

To the Anteater community:

I am writing to share some important changes resulting from the January 1 update to the UC Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment and to highlight the resources available to faculty, staff and students.

Prevention

Each member of our university community has a responsibility to make our campus free from sexual violence and sexual harassment. As part of a systemwide effort to improve the prevention of and response to sexual violence and sexual harassment, UC is requiring all UC staff and faculty to participate in annual training that will better prepare each of us to fulfill our role in preventing and responding to these acts.

Faculty and supervisors will continue with their current schedule of online training once every two years. Starting this year, non-supervisory staff, including student employees, are also required to take online training every two years. Everyone will receive supplemental training in the years they do not take the full training.

For non-supervisory staff, including student employees, this year’s training must be completed by May 1, 2016. In the next few days, you will receive a notification from the UC Learning Center with instructions on how to complete the course.

Employees hired after May 1, 2016, must complete the online training within the first six weeks of their employment.

Policies and Resources

UCI has long had policies that prohibit sexual violence and sexual harassment and require employees to notify the Office of Equal Opportunity & Diversity (OEOD) when they receive information about an alleged violation. The UCI Guidelines for Reporting and Responding to Reports of Sex Offenses and UCI Guidelines for Reporting and Responding to Reports of Discrimination and Harassment provide updated information regarding specific policy changes, reporting obligations and support resources. The UCI student adjudication procedures have also been revised and detail current processes and procedures for cases that involve students.

Additionally, the UCI Police Department can assist with emergency situations and criminal complaints, and the Campus Assault Resources & Education office can provide confidential assistance and information. More information about how the university responds once it becomes aware of a sex offense and the many resources in place for those affected are available on the UCI Sexual Violence Prevention and Response website.

Preventing and responding to sexual violence and sexual harassment is a duty we all share. Thank you for being part of the solution.

Chancellor Howard Gillman