University reports based on protected class can be submitted electronically or in person. In person reports can be made to the Senior Director of Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX. Students studying abroad or away can report to the program leader. In addition, electronic submissions for undergraduate students may be copied to the Dean of Students Office and to the Sewanee Police Department. 

CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF PROTECTED CLASSES
Reporting Options

Anyone who wishes to make a report of an alleged violation of the Non-Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Policy has the following options (the person harmed may report using one or more options if desired):

  1. Report to the University;

  2. Report to the Sewanee Police Department for on-campus conduct, or to the appropriate police agency with jurisdiction for off-campus conduct;

  3. Report to both the University and Sewanee Police Department or other Police Agency

  4. Report to the US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights

Reporting to the University

The Senior Director of Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX at the University of the South is Dr. Sylvia Gray, 931.598.1420, EQB Building, smgray@sewanee.edu or EEO@sewanee.edu. Dr. Gray is charged with monitoring compliance with the policy according to the applicable laws and regulations. Dr. Gray is also responsible for oversight of EEO fact finding processes/investigations. Questions regarding EEO, as well as concerns and reports of non-compliance, may be directed to the EEO Office.

The University supports two types of reports—anonymous and identifiable.

  1. Anonymous Reports: Reporters may provided alleged violations of the policy anonymously, by submitting an online report and omitting their name and contact information. In the case of anonymous reporting, the University will not be able to contact reporters to obtain further information about the incident or to offer information or support measures. In addition, the University’s ability to respond to the report will be limited to the information provided. The University nevertheless encourages reporting of discriminatory behavior, even anonymous reporting, and will make use of the reported information as circumstances allow.

  2. Identifiable Reports: The University will preliminarily gather and review information on all identifiable reports under the policy. Representatives from the Dean of Students office, EEO Office, and/or the Sewanee Police Department will promptly reach out to the reporter (or the person reporting on behalf of the individual involved, if the reporter is not the individual directly affected by the conduct) to advise them as to their options. The appropriate University official(s) will obtain additional information about the reported incident, if available, and offer support, assistance and, where appropriate, interim measures to address any immediate concerns for the safety of involved persons and/or the University community.

Where a reporter requests a formal process (i.e. investigation) of a violation of this Policy, the investigation will follow the steps under the heading of  “Formal Complaint Process” found on p.4 of the policy.

IMPORTANCE OF REPORTING DISCRIMINATORY BEHAVIOR

The University of the South stands firmly for the principle that its employees, students, and participants of university-sponsored programs and activities have a right to be free from discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, pregnancy and childbirth, and genetic information. As required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the University does not discriminate on the basis of sex or other protected categories in the educational programs or activities which it operates. This requirement of non-discrimination extends to admission to and employment in those programs or activities. The University is committed to sustaining a community in which the dignity of every individual is respected. Key to this value are efforts to nurture an environment of civility and mutual respect and to foster a culture of reporting concerns so that the University can respond promptly and equitably whenever an incident occurs. All employees, students, and participants of university sponsored programs and activities have the right to be free from harassment and retaliation. There is currently a 90-day window for the filing of a report of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. Prompt reporting of an incident is strongly urged, since it is often difficult to determine the facts of an incident long after the incident has occurred. In order to facilitate an adequate investigation, the complaint process must be initiated within 90 days of the incident.

Related Commitments: The University is also committed to free expression. Speech not specifically directed against individuals in a harassing way may be protected by traditional safeguards of free speech, even though the comments may cause considerable discomfort or concern to others in the community.