Annual Reaffirmation of Policy on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Offenses

To the Anteater community:

As we begin the academic year, I ask you to join me in reaffirming our commitment to ending sexual harassment and sexual violence at UC Irvine. Recent national attention reminds us that our work to address sexual harassment and sexual violence is ongoing. Our collective responsibility extends beyond compliance with the law. It requires us to treat one another with dignity and respect to foster a community in which everyone can learn, work and thrive.

Sexual misconduct, relationship violence, and stalking cause profound harm. Those who experience or report such conduct deserve to be treated with care and respect, to understand the resources and options available to them, and to have their concerns taken seriously. As an institution, we have a responsibility to respond promptly to reports, provide access to appropriate support, and address concerns through fair and established processes while respecting the rights and privacy of everyone involved. UC Irvine CARE provides confidential resources to anyone who experiences and/or reports sexual misconduct.

Under the UC SVSH Policy, all employees including staff, faculty, and student-staff (who are not designated as confidential CARE Advocates, Ombuds, Licensed Counselors or Pastoral Counselors) are Responsible Employees and must make a report to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity (OEOD/Title IX) when they learn through the course of their employment of an incident of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual violence involving students.

Supervisors, faculty, Human Resources staff, and UC Irvine Police (UCIPD) must also report sexual misconduct involving any person affiliated with the university. This includes patient or coworker complaints of sexual misconduct at UCI Health. Reporting to OEOD allows the university to respond consistently and provides those affected with information about their rights, options, and resources.

Students and employees across both the academic and UCI Health enterprise can receive confidential support and assistance through the CARE office. Additionally, UCIPD can help with emergency situations, safety escorts, and criminal complaints of sexual violence. Both CARE and UCIPD can provide information about forensic exams, including access to UC Irvine’s on-campus forensic exam resources, which we maintain in our commitment to providing timely, accessible support.

Those accused of engaging in sexual violence or sexual harassment can receive information and assistance through the Respondent Services Coordinator.

To make a report, seek assistance, or request training, visit OEOD’s website or contact OEOD at 949-824-5594 or oeod@uci.edu.

Thank you for joining me in UC Irvine’s ongoing commitment to equitable participation in education and employment free of sex based discrimination and sexual harassment.

Fiat Lux.

Chancellor Howard Gillman