Updated Procedures on Handling of Student Sexual Misconduct and Discrimination Cases
From Dr. Kenneth Lutchen, University Provost and Chief Academic Officer ad interim
Boston University is committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all community members. As part of that commitment, the Office of the Provost reviewed how the Sexual Misconduct Policy and Equal Opportunity Policy are administered at the University to identify potential improvements in the reporting and complaint administration processes. Currently, reports of prohibited conduct are administered by different offices depending on the status of the person who allegedly engaged in the prohibited conduct (the Respondent). The Office of Judicial Affairs (OJA), a part of the Dean of Students’ Office, receives and responds to allegations against students. The Equal Opportunity Office (EOO) receives and responds to allegations against faculty, staff, and others.
I write to announce that, as of August 1, 2024, the Equal Opportunity Office will address all new reports of prohibited conduct regardless of the status of the Respondent. Centralizing the reporting process and the administration of complaints in one office, EOO, will streamline our approach in these areas and improve BU community access to critical University resources. As the EOO prepares for this upcoming change and updates its internal practices to best support our students, they would like to hear from you. I encourage you to click on and complete a short 5-question survey.
By working together, we can make our community as safe as possible. You can learn more about this transition and share your thoughts at www.bu.edu/eoo. If you have any questions, please contact Jean Pryor Estevez, executive director of EOO and University Title IX coordinator, at eoo@bu.edu.
Updated Procedures on Handling of Student Sexual Misconduct and Discrimination Cases – 4.23.24