Complaint Procedures in Cases of Alleged Unlawful Discrimination or Harassment
University Policy
BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Policy
Equal Opportunity Policy
Boston University prohibits discrimination against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. This policy extends to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities, including admissions, financial assistance, educational and athletic programs, housing, employment, compensation, employee benefits, and the providing of, or access to, University services or facilities. Boston University recognizes that non-discrimination does not ensure that equal opportunity is a reality. Accordingly, the University will continue to take affirmative action to achieve equal opportunity through recruitment, outreach, and internal reviews of policies and practices.
Inquiries regarding this policy or its application should be addressed to:
Executive Director of Equal Opportunity
Boston University Equal Opportunity Office
888 Commonwealth Ave., Suite 303
Boston, MA 02215
617-353-9286
Initiating an Unlawful Discrimination Complaint
Students who believe they have been subjected to unlawful discrimination may initiate a complaint by meeting with or submitting a written complaint to the Dean’s office of the student’s school or college, the Equal Opportunity office, or the Dean of Students office. The information provided in the complaint should be as specific as possible regarding the circumstances that precipitated the complaint. The complaint should include the dates and places of the incidents at issue, the individuals involved, the names of any witnesses, any actions taken in an attempt to resolve the matter and the result of these actions, and any other pertinent information.
Initiating a Sexual Misconduct Complaint
Any student who believes they have experienced sexual misconduct, as defined in the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy, may file a complaint against the Boston University faculty or staff member, affiliate, or non-affiliate responsible for that conduct (the person filing a complaint is referred to as a “complainant”). A person who has information that a University faculty or staff member, affiliate, or non-affiliate may have committed sexual misconduct may also file a complaint (the person filing the complaint is referred to as a “reporter”). A complainant or reporter may include any member of the Boston University community, including students, faculty, administrators, staff members, visitors, applicants for employment or admission, participants in a BU program or activity, or a non-affiliate with knowledge of an incident of sexual misconduct.
The University recognizes that student complainants may be most comfortable disclosing Title IX Sexual Misconduct or Non-Title IX Sexual Misconduct to a University employee they know well, such as a faculty member. Students are welcome to speak with them, but should understand that if they disclose an incident of Title IX Sexual Misconduct or Non-Title IX Sexual Misconduct to these individuals, they are required to inform the Title IX Coordinator about the incident. However, employees whose positions legally require confidentiality (e.g., counseling staff and clergy and others who are confidential resources identified in Section XI) are not required to make a disclosure to the Title IX Coordinator.
A complainant or reporter may submit a paper (hard copy) or electronic report to the Title IX Coordinator, one of the Deputy Title IX Coordinators, Human Resources, or the Equal Opportunity office. Reports may also be submitted via the Incident Report Form to the Equal Opportunity office. Although the report should be as specific as possible regarding the conduct that precipitated the complaint, it need not reflect every detail related to the allegations in the complaint, as additional information may be discovered during the investigation.
A complainant may also call or meet with the Title IX Coordinator, a Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, or the Equal Opportunity office to initiate a complaint.
Title IX Coordinator and Deputies
Charles River Campus
25 Buick Street
Boston, MA 02215
617-353-2380
Medical Campus
609 Albany Street, J Building
Boston, MA 02118
617-353-2380
Equal Opportunity Office
888 Commonwealth Ave., Suite 303
Boston, MA 02215
617-358-1796
