Employee Responsibility
Mandatory Reporting
All university employees, except those specifically designated as confidential resources, must report to the Title IX Coordinator any incidents of possible sexual harassment, sex discrimination, or retaliation of which they are aware. Reports must be made within 24 hours. University employees who are responsible for reporting possible sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation include all faculty, administrators, staff, resident coordinators, resident advisors and peer educators.
Ohio law requires that any person learning of a felony report the crime to the police. All university employees must report a felony of which they are aware to the University of Cincinnati Police Department (exceptions to this are employees of the Counseling Center and University Health Services). Questions regarding identifying felony behavior can be directed to the Office of General Counsel or the University of Cincinnati Police Department.
Responding to Disclosures
University of Cincinnati employees have a responsibility to share information about incidents involving sexual harassment, including sex/gender-based violence, dating or domestic violence and stalking with the Office of Gender Equity & Inclusion.
Below are some suggested responses based on possible scenarios:
"It's brave of you to talk about this, and I respect you reaching out for help. You should know before we talk more that I must report any sexual violence to the Office of Gender Equity & Inclusion. However, I can also point you towards some confidential resources if you'd like."
"I'm sorry to interrupt you, but I am a mandatory reporter and I want to let you know that there are a number of situations where I am required to report what you tell me to the Office of Gender Equity & Inclusion. I am happy to talk to you, but if you'd like to first explore options with a confidential resource here are a few options."
"I'm glad you want to talk to me about this and that you feel comfortable speaking with me about something that might be hard to discuss. I want to make sure that you understand my role here. I will do everything I can to protect your privacy, but depending on what you tell me I may need to inform another administrator at the university."
Syllabus Language
Faculty Senate Resolution Supporting the Addition of Information Regarding Title IX and Mental Health Services on Student Course Material
"THEREFORE be it resolved that the University of Cincinnati Faculty Senate recommends that faculty include information about Title IX and Mental Health services on course syllabi or learning management system sites." (Approved by the Faculty Senate on May 12, 2016)
Frequently Asked Questions
Our primary goal is to make sure that anyone who experiences sex or gender-based discrimination, including harassment or violence, has what they need to be safe and to continue to be successful here at UC.
Making a report to the Office of Gender Equity & Inclusion means the reporting person will receive information about their rights, campus and community-based resources, and be informed about options, including medical care, criminal prosecution, university investigation, and support resources, such as free counseling. The person is not required to talk to the Office of Gender Equity & Inclusion, and typically the University will not proceed with a formal investigation process if the reporting person does not want to go forward.
It is understood that issues covered under Title IX are some of the most underreported.
UC’s Title IX Grievance Procedure for Students and Third Parties says, in part:
“All university employees, except those specifically designated as confidential resources (CAPS…Health Services,), must report to the Title IX Coordinator any incidents of possible sexual harassment, sex discrimination, or retaliation on campus of which they are aware. Reports must be made within 24 hours using the online reporting form or to the Title IX Coordinator or a Deputy. University employees who are responsible for reporting possible sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation include all faculty, administrators, staff, residence coordinators, and residence advisors.”
Each college or administrative office may have other individuals, such as volunteer professors, interns, emeriti faculty, etc. who are not paid by the University but may have positions of leadership, supervision, or sustained contact with students and other community members. Those individuals should be trained to report as well, because they are just as likely as employees to be individuals that someone needing help could reasonably believe would be able to help them.
You can request training by contacting the Office of Gender Equity & Inclusion or by filling out the training request form.
For questions about whether a disclosure must be reported, contact the Office of Gender Equity & Inclusion.
Incidents involving sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking may be reported to UC Police Department or your local law enforcement. To report to the Office of Gender Equity & Inclusion, you may complete the online reporting form, email ogei@uc.edu or leave a voice message at (513) 556-3349 at any time.