Title IX Reporting FAQ

Below are answers to frequently asked questions concerning Title IX, the federal law that protects students and employees from sex-based discrimination in university programs, activities, and employment, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, dating and domestic violence, and sex and gender discrimination.

Do UO employees have reporting obligations under Title IX and/or university policy?

Yes. Most UO employees are Designated Reporters under university policy, which means that they are required to report disclosures of sex and gender-based harassment, violence, and stalking to the UO’s Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (OEOA). Please note that while at work, Graduate Employees (GEs) and student workers are considered Designated Reporters.

Confidential Employees do not have a reporting obligation and are expected to maintain confidentiality of the disclosures they receive.

Who can report to OEOA and how can they report?

Anyone can submit a report to OEOA, including students, employees, other members of the campus community and individuals who have no affiliation with the University. Students may also report anonymously. Please note, however, that the University’s ability to take action in response to an anonymous report is more limited. The University cannot sanction students or employees based upon an anonymous report.

What happens after OEOA receives a report?

After OEOA receives a report, an OEOA team member will send an email to the person who is alleged to have experienced harm (the “complainant”) with information about university resources and support, as well as options to address what happened. Complainants are welcome to meet with an OEOA team member to ask questions about the university’s formal response process without disclosing additional information about their experience, if that is their preference, and to separately meet with someone to discuss what happened.

Students who experienced sex or gender-based harassment or violence will also receive outreach from a Confidential Advocate in the UO’s Care and Advocacy Program (CAP). Students can meet with a Confidential Advocate and receive confidential support without participating in a formal university process. Both CAP and OEOA can coordinate supportive measures, regardless of whether a complainant elects to participate in a university process and regardless of whether the person who caused harm (the “respondent”) is a UO student or employee. OEOA will work with Human Resources to coordinate supportive measures for employees.

Employees who experience domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or crimes involving harassment or bias are eligible to request Safe Leave, a form of leave under Paid Leave Oregon and ORS 659A.

Will OEOA share disclosures of sex and gender-based violence with students’ parents or professors?

No. Reports to OEOA about students’ experiences are covered by FERPA, a federal privacy law that protects student records from being disclosed unnecessarily. We will therefore not share information with your parents. In addition, information reported to OEOA will not be shared with other University officials unless necessary to resolve your complaint or responding to a request that you have made. When sharing information, OEOA will share the least amount of information necessary. For example, if you ask us to contact a professor to ask that you be given the opportunity to make up missed work, the only information that we will share is that you are working with our office. We will not share any details about what happened.

What are supportive measures?

Supportive measures are available to students and employees to help ensure their access to University programs and activities. Specific information about supportive measures is available on the FAQ & Support page. Please note that complainants are not required to participate in a formal process to receive supportive measures. Supportive measures that burden a respondent are more limited, and will generally be imposed where there is concern of an ongoing risk of physical harm to one or more members of the campus community.

What resources are available to help me?

The university has many resources for students and employees, including confidential resources for students and employees.

Confidential Student Resources

• SAFE website. If you have experienced sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, sexual or gender-based harassment, and/or stalking and need help, confidential advocates from the University’s Care and Advocacy Program are available 24 hours a day for confidential advice and assistance.
• TELUS app. Call. Chat. Anytime. Anywhere. Use TELUS Health Student Support to access free confidential emotional health and wellbeing support 24/7 via the app, telephone and web.
• UO Counseling Center. The Counseling Center’s mental health providers understand the variety of challenges students face and are experts in providing mental health care, including care related to interpersonal violence for university students.
• UO Ombuds Office. The Ombuds Program offers all members of the campus community a safe and easy place to gain access to support and problem-solving resources. The Ombuds Program promotes a visitor-driven process that honors the guiding principles of independence, neutrality, confidentiality, and informality.
• UO Student Conflict Resolution Center. The SCRC provides one-on-one conflict coaching, mediation as appropriate, small and large group facilitations, collaborative governance for student organizations, and restorative justice.

Confidential Employee Resources

• UO Ombuds Office. The Ombuds Program offers all members of the campus community a safe and easy place to gain access to support and problem-solving resources. The Ombuds Program promotes a visitor-driven process that honors the guiding principles of independence, neutrality, confidentiality, and informality.
• Employee Assistance Program. The University of Oregon contracts with Revive to provide a comprehensive employee assistance program for eligible employees and their dependents. The services are at no cost to eligible members.

Are employees who experience sex and gender-based violence eligible for protected leave?

Yes. Employees who experience domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or crimes involving harassment or bias, or whose minor child or dependent has experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or crimes involving harassment or bias may request Safe Leave. Requests for such leave may be submitted using OEOA’s reporting form.

What else should I know about Title IX?

Title IX also covers pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and all associated conditions, including loss of pregnancy. So, if you are pregnant and need modifications for a pregnancy-related medical condition, the Title IX office can coordinate modifications for you, whether you are a student or employee. Please review OEOA’s Pregnancy Resources page, which includes request forms for students and employees to request pregnancy-related modifications.

Are sex and gender the only protected characteristics under university policy?

No. There are 19 protected characteristics under university policy, including race, national origin, ancestry, religion, disability and veteran status, among others. A list of the protected characteristics is included in the Prohibited Discrimination and Retaliation Policy. The support and resources available in response to a Title IX disclosure are also available to those who experience other forms of discrimination or harassment as well.

What should I do if I have questions?

Please reach out to an OEOA team member via email at eoa@uoregon.edu. We are here to help you navigate your experience in a way that makes sense for you.