Title IX FAQ’s

The Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) is an administrative office, not a judicial or legal office. One of its roles is to assist NU community members (faculty, staff and students) in understanding the University’s policies and procedures in the area of discrimination and harassment and to assist in resolving reports of discrimination and harassment. OIE staff members are impartial administrators who are neither advocates nor adversaries with respect to the parties and witnesses. Instead, Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) staff members are advocates for the proper and fair administration of the process.

The Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) is available to for student, staff and faculty to share their experience if they feel they are being discriminated against again based on a protected-category. However, absent discriminatory actions, the OIE process is not the correct avenue to resolve issues regarding a grade, professor or supervisor complaint. Students, for assistance with those concerns please contact your advisors and staff/faculty, please contact the Office of Human Resources.

Faculty, staff, and other campus leaders at NU typically report all known details of an incident(s) that could be a violation of the Equal Opportunity, Harassment and Nondiscrimination Policy to the OIE immediately.

Individuals wishing to report a concern or file a report of discrimination and/or harassment are encouraged to do so as soon as possible following the incident(s). The Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) can accept reports at any time, however the more time that has passed reduces our ability to speak with witnesses and gather information.

Any member of the NU community may consult the OIE without obligation to file a report. During a consultation, the OIE staff will explain University policies and procedures so the person can make an informed choice as to whether or not they would like to file a report. In certain limited situations, however, the information learned by the OIE staff may be of sufficient concern that the University must take appropriate action to resolve the situation even if the reporting individual does not wish to file a formal report.

Reports of discrimination and/or harassment are treated with the greatest degree of privacy possible. In all reports of discrimination or harassment, information is only shared with others on a need-to-know basis.

Yes, the University prohibits retaliation against individuals who have reported alleged policy violations; participated in investigations; and/or requested accommodations. Retaliatory action is regarded as a basis for a separate policy violation under the University’s procedures. If you believe that you have been retaliated against for reporting alleged policy violations, for participating in an investigation, or for requesting reasonable accommodation, you should contact the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE).

Even if you do not want to go through an investigation or file a formal complaint, the Title IX Coordinator can assess your needs as they relate to your class schedule, work schedule, or other safety concerns. Any ERP member can also connect students with the Manager of Security, NU Wellness, and other off-campus resources.

Yes

If the incident involves an NU student, it should still be reported, because it may affect employment or educational access, and the Title IX Coordinator(s) can still assist the involved parties.

Yes. If you have been subjected to unwanted sexual contact or sexual harassment, your gender and the gender of the alleged perpetrator are irrelevant.