Reporting & Complaint Options
Reporting & Complaint Options
LOYOLA ENCOURAGES ANYONE who experiences misconduct under the to submit a report so that the University may take appropriate steps to promptly stop, prevent, and remedy any substantiated violation. The University recognizes the privacy and sensitivity of such reports and only shares information internally on a need-to-know basis when necessary to effectively respond to the report. The University also understands that for various reasons an affected party may prefer to report anonymously or to share only limited information.
The Difference Between Reports and Complaints
There are many important differences between submitting a report and filing a complaint. It is important to before taking any action.
Reports
A report is a disclosure or other communication to the Office for Equity & Compliance (or to another University official with the authority to institute corrective measures on behalf of the University) that directly notifies the University of an allegation of prohibited conduct under the Comprehensive Policy. A report is typically submitted when someone wants to bring one or more instances of alleged discrimination or sexual misconduct to the University's attention.
A report may be submitted by any individual (including third parties) and may be anonymous. Reports are distinct from (but usually are filed before) complaints.
The University’s response to reports is oriented toward informing the affected party of available supportive measures and discussing the option to file a complaint. While ensuring the University takes appropriate action when necessary, the OEC strives to honor an affected party's wishes in response to any report.
Complaints
In cases where an affected party intends to initiate the University’s intervention to investigate, adjudicate, or otherwise resolve an incident of alleged misconduct, the affected party must file a complaint, and is thereafter referred to as a “complainant.” A complaint may be initiated for any alleged conduct that, if supported by evidence, would constitute a violation of the Comprehensive Policy.
Complaints which allege misconduct by one or more identified respondents (i.e., an individual student, a faculty or staff employee, or alumni), or by organizations (i.e., a recognized student organization or a department of the University), will be addressed as described below. Reported allegations of misconduct by unknown or unidentified individuals, or by unknown or unidentified organizations, will also be addressed, but the process may depart from specific procedural steps otherwise followed for complaints against identified respondents.
While any current member of the University community can file a complaint at any time, you are strongly encouraged to connect with a member of the OEC staff before filing a complaint to ensure that you understand the full implications. Once a complaint has been received by the OEC, it will be classified as one of two types, to be investigated and adjudicated under the most appropriate process applicable to the circumstances:
Equitable Resolution Process ("ERP") complaints are complaints that allege discrimination, sexual misconduct, retaliation, or other related offenses under the Comprehensive Policy, other than allegations that meet the definitional and jurisdictional requirements of Title IX Sexual Harassment.
Grievance Process complaints are complaints that allege misconduct that would, if substantiated, meet the definitional and jurisdictional requirements of .
Submit a Report
REPORTS (including "referrals" from third parties) notify the University (through the Office for Equity & Compliance) of a potential incident of prohibited conduct under the Comprehensive Policy. They bring attention to a concern, and call for outreach and support to be offered to the harmed person (the affected party). Reports may be made anonymously and/or submitted by anyone, whether or not they are affiliated with Loyola. Reports are not a prerequisite to filing a complaint, but they can be helpful as a first step to ensure the affected party is aware of their rights and resources if they are considering filing a complaint.
USE FOR bringing the University's attention to a concern; initiating outreach to an affected party who may benefit from resources or support; initiating a preliminary review by OEC staff to consider the possibility of safety concerns or patterns of misconduct; fulfilling a Responsible Campus Partner's obligations; informing the University of a concern anonymously.
UPON RECEIPT OF A REPORT the affected party or third-party reporter is automatically directed to information concerning the rights and resources available to affected parties (when submitted using the online form linked below). Unless a report is anonymous, a representative of the OEC (or the Office of the Dean of Students for students) will contact the affected party to communicate the availability of supportive measures (which are available regardless of whether or not they choose to eventually file a complaint) and to explain the process of filing a complaint, as applicable to the circumstances.
The affected party will be invited to meet with a representative of the OEC and/or Office of the Dean of Students (for students) to consider the affected party’s wishes with respect to supportive measures and any potential complaint, and to answer any questions concerning the University’s applicable policies or procedures.
Important Notes
- For the purposes of the Comprehensive Policy, Reports are distinct and different from Complaints. It is important to understand the differences before taking any action.
- A Report can be submitted anonymously.
- A Report will NOT automatically generate a notification to the reported individual (respondent).
- A Report will NOT automatically initiate an investigation or discipline.
Contact any staff member in the Office for Equity & Compliance for more information.
File a Complaint
COMPLAINTS are official, written documents submitted by a complainant or by the EDEC, alleging one or more violations of the Comprehensive Policy by a specific respondent (or respondents) and requesting that the University intervene and investigate and/or adjudicate the matter under either the Equitable Resolution Process (ERP) or the Grievance Process for Title IX Sexual Harassment (or alternative resolution options, if applicable).
FILE A COMPLAINT if you know for sure that you wish to initiate the University’s intervention to investigate, adjudicate, or otherwise resolve an incident of alleged misconduct against a specific, known respondent who is a part of the Loyola community (another student, faculty, or staff employee), regardless of where the incident occurred.
Next steps: Upon receipt of your complaint, the OEC staff will review it and determine whether the allegations and circumstances are more appropriate to be addressed under the ERP or Grievance Process. Once a determination is made by the EDEC, a written Notice of Allegations ("NOA") letter will be provided to each party. NOAs include a summary of the allegations, including (if known) the identity of the parties involved, the nature of the alleged misconduct, the date and location of the alleged incident(s) (if known), the specific policies implicated, a description of the applicable University procedures, a reminder that retaliation is prohibited, and a statement of the potential sanctions that could result. NOAs also identify the assigned investigator and provide parties the opportunity to raise any concerns regarding a conflict of interest before the parties are contacted by the investigator.
All investigations include the thorough and impartial collection, review, and analysis of all available evidence by one or more impartial investigators, and under both the ERP and Grievance Process, all parties will be given a meaningful opportunity to review and respond to the relevant evidence that has been collected before any determinations of responsibility for an alleged policy violation are made.
Important Notes
- A complaint must usually be filed by the affected party, who becomes a "complainant" upon filing. If the affected party is a minor, a parent or guardian may file on behalf of the affected party; and in some circumstances a complaint may be filed by the EDEC as Title IX Coordinator.
- A complaint cannot be filed anonymously.
- Any respondent named in a complaint will be informed of the allegations against them. The respondent must be a Loyola student, faculty, or staff member (or in some circumstances may be a recognized student organization).
- A complaint may lead to a formal investigation or, in some circumstances, an alternative resolution.
- A complaint may only be filed for alleged misconduct falling under the Comprehensive Policy (including Title IX Sexual Harassment); allegations of other violations, such as fraud, alcohol/drug violations, or other student or employee misconduct will be referred to be addressed elsewhere.
Contact in the Office for Equity & Compliance for more information.
Reporting & Complaint Options
LOYOLA ENCOURAGES ANYONE who experiences misconduct under the to submit a report so that the University may take appropriate steps to promptly stop, prevent, and remedy any substantiated violation. The University recognizes the privacy and sensitivity of such reports and only shares information internally on a need-to-know basis when necessary to effectively respond to the report. The University also understands that for various reasons an affected party may prefer to report anonymously or to share only limited information.
The Difference Between Reports and Complaints
There are many important differences between submitting a report and filing a complaint. It is important to before taking any action.
Reports
A report is a disclosure or other communication to the Office for Equity & Compliance (or to another University official with the authority to institute corrective measures on behalf of the University) that directly notifies the University of an allegation of prohibited conduct under the Comprehensive Policy. A report is typically submitted when someone wants to bring one or more instances of alleged discrimination or sexual misconduct to the University's attention.
A report may be submitted by any individual (including third parties) and may be anonymous. Reports are distinct from (but usually are filed before) complaints.
The University’s response to reports is oriented toward informing the affected party of available supportive measures and discussing the option to file a complaint. While ensuring the University takes appropriate action when necessary, the OEC strives to honor an affected party's wishes in response to any report.
Complaints
In cases where an affected party intends to initiate the University’s intervention to investigate, adjudicate, or otherwise resolve an incident of alleged misconduct, the affected party must file a complaint, and is thereafter referred to as a “complainant.” A complaint may be initiated for any alleged conduct that, if supported by evidence, would constitute a violation of the Comprehensive Policy.
Complaints which allege misconduct by one or more identified respondents (i.e., an individual student, a faculty or staff employee, or alumni), or by organizations (i.e., a recognized student organization or a department of the University), will be addressed as described below. Reported allegations of misconduct by unknown or unidentified individuals, or by unknown or unidentified organizations, will also be addressed, but the process may depart from specific procedural steps otherwise followed for complaints against identified respondents.
While any current member of the University community can file a complaint at any time, you are strongly encouraged to connect with a member of the OEC staff before filing a complaint to ensure that you understand the full implications. Once a complaint has been received by the OEC, it will be classified as one of two types, to be investigated and adjudicated under the most appropriate process applicable to the circumstances:
Equitable Resolution Process ("ERP") complaints are complaints that allege discrimination, sexual misconduct, retaliation, or other related offenses under the Comprehensive Policy, other than allegations that meet the definitional and jurisdictional requirements of Title IX Sexual Harassment.
Grievance Process complaints are complaints that allege misconduct that would, if substantiated, meet the definitional and jurisdictional requirements of .