OEO takes matters related to discrimination and harassment very seriously. Indiana University prohibits discrimination and harassment and has adopted a non-discrimination policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in both its educational and employment programs.
Discrimination and Harassment
What is discrimination?
Discrimination is treating or proposing to treat someone unfavorably because of personal characteristics protected either by law or Indiana University policy. Discrimination at IU is prohibited both in both the academic and employment setting.
Indiana University students are protected from discrimination in all aspects of their education, including:
• Recruitment and admissions to programs
• Reception of financial aid, housing assignments, and counseling services
• Course enrollment, evaluation, and classroom activities
• Participation in all university-sponsored events (i.e., recreation, athletics, social)
• Disciplinary processes and program dismissals
Indiana University employees are protected from discrimination at all stages of employment, including:
• All aspects of the recruitment process and terms of employment
• Compensation, benefits, and employee services
• Opportunities for training, promotion and/or tenure decisions, transfer, or other work-related benefits
• Disciplinary / corrective action procedures, demotion, and termination
What is harassment?
Harassment is a form of discrimination that includes unwelcome conduct based on protected characteristics. Such conduct could include offensive jokes, slurs, epithets or name calling, physical assaults or threats, intimidation, ridicule or mockery, insults or put-downs, offensive objects or pictures, and other conduct that interferes with a person’s ability to work or engage in educational programs or activities. Indiana University prohibits all members of our community from engaging in harassment.
What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment, as well as sexual assault, sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual exploitation, and stalking, are fully defined and expressly prohibited by the university. Sexual harassment is a specific type of harassment based on conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment can include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, written, electronic (e.g., by email, text, social media), or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
For more information regarding the university’s work to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct as well as its Student Welfare Initiative, please visit Stop Sexual Violence.
What is retaliation?
Indiana University prohibits retaliation against anyone who has brought forth a concern or complaint of discrimination or harassment. Retaliation can occur verbally or in writing. It can also occur through a third party. Examples of retaliation could include demotion, termination, being denied a raise, or being denied an opportunity to participate in an educational program or workplace mentoring program.
The Office of Equal Opportunity handles concerns related to discrimination, harassment, and retaliation for IUPUI (including the Indiana University School of Medicine), IUPUC, and IU Fort Wayne. Any member of the university community who feels that they have been subjected to discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, can report such behavior to us, here.
If you want to talk with someone about anything that’s going on, please contact us. We can consult with you about options, complaint procedures, or help you navigate a situation that may be bothering you. Complaint procedures are outlined in Indiana University policy, here.