Discrimination Grievance Procedures

Individuals covered

Employees and applicants, students, and student applicants for University employment.

Policy

Northwestern University does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, parental status, marital status, age, disability, citizenship, or veteran status in matters of admissions, employment, housing, or services or in the educational programs or activities it operates.

Harassment, whether verbal, physical, or visual, that is based on any of these characteristics is a form of discrimination. This includes harassing conduct affecting tangible job benefits, interfering unreasonably with an individual's academic or work performance, or creating what a reasonable person would sense is an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.

While Northwestern University is committed to the prinicples of free inquiry and free expression, discrimination and harassment identified in this policy are neither legally protected expression nor the proper exercise of academic freedom.

Nondiscrimination

Violations

Complaint procedures

Students, student applicants, staff employees or employment applicants who believe they have been discriminated against may seek a review of such concerns via a formal grievance:

• Students make such complaints to the Office of EOA or the Provost's Office
• Faculty make such complaints to the Office of the Provost, and
• Union employees file with:
  Manager of Human Resources Facilities Management
  2020 Ridge Avenue, 2nd fl, #200
  Evanston Campus
  Phone: 847-491-5308

Local resolution preferred

Resolving the complaint within the department or school should be attempted before using the complaint procedure.

Formal complaint time is paid

For employees, time spent during scheduled working hours in meeting or the formal steps of the procedure is treated as time worked for pay purposes. The employee must obtain prior supervisory approval for absence from duty and must cooperate in scheduling such absence to lessen inconvenience to the department.

Grievance procedure

For Employees, Students, and Applicants

Where to file

An applicant or employee who decides to file a formal complaint should contact director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access, 720 University Place, Evanston, IL 60208, phone 847-491-7458. If the grievance concerns the actions of the director or the office of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access, the grievance will be investigated by an impartial University official.

• Union employees direct complaints to the manager of Human Resources Facilities Management, 2020 Ridge Avenue, 2nd fl, #200, Evanston, IL 60208-4301, phone 847-491-5308.
• Faculty and academic exempt employees direct complaints to the office of the Provost. Students may wish to direct their formal complaints to either the director: Office of Equal Opportunity and Access or the Office of the Provost.

Purpose

The purpose of the review is to determine if University policy and applicable federal and local laws have been followed and, if not, to address the consequences that may have resulted and take corrective action.

Investigation

The director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access investigates and may develop a strategy for resolution. The director provides a response to the employee or applicant upon completion of the review.

Retaliation

The University prohibits retaliation against anyone for registering a complaint pursuant to these policies, assisting another in making a complaint, or participating in an investigation under the policies. Anyone experiencing any conduct that he or she believes to be retaliatory should immediately report it to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access, University Sexual Harassment Prevention Office, and the Division of Student Affairs (student-to-student incidents).

Appeal

An employee, student, or applicant who finds that a complaint is not resolved to his or her satisfaction may appeal to the associate vice president for Human Resources and, if still dissatisfied after review, may appeal further to the senior vice president for Business and Finance. The finding and response from the senior vice president are the final response for the University. A student or applicant who finds that a complaint is not resolved to his or her satisfaction may appeal further to the office of the provost.