Reporting and resolution resources
Do you have a concern about your learning environment? Do you need to talk with someone about how to handle a tough interpersonal situation or conflict? The following resources are meant to help students who have a complaint or need help resolving a situation. These resources are available to all students regardless of your location in WWAMI.
Students who have concerns about mistreatment in the learning environment (classroom or clinical setting) or with any educator or staff should visit the Learning Environment website.
Please remember that as a student of the University of Washington, you are always protected under UW Executive Order No. 31, regardless of where you might be geographically when participating in a clerkship. This order:
Prohibits discrimination or harassment against a member of the University community because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status…[and also] Prohibits retaliation against any individual who reports concerns regarding discrimination or harassment, or who cooperates with or participates in any investigation of allegations of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under this policy, or any individual who is perceived to have engaged in any of these actions.
For more information on Executive Order No. 31: http://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/PO/EO31.html
UW SafeCampus
UW SafeCampus is the University of Washington’s violence-prevention and response program. They support students, staff, faculty and community members in preventing violence and will listen to your concerns and provide guidance and safety plans tailored to your situation. Their caring, trained professionals will talk you through options and connect you with additional resources if you want them. Call SafeCampus at 206-685-7233 anytime — no matter where you work or study — to anonymously discuss safety and well-being concerns for yourself or others. (Note: In urgent or dangerous situations, always call 911 first.)
We encourage students who experience sex- or gender-based violence, harassment, or discrimination to contact UW SafeCampus, which affords a safe reporting environment. They will provide information about your rights, available resources, and reporting options.
Office of the Ombud
The Office of the Ombud is a confidential, neutral resource, where students, faculty, and staff can seek information, consultation, and assistance for any professional challenges that they are facing at the University of Washington. The UW Ombud’s mission is to provide high quality, client-focused services for preventing, managing, and resolving conflict at this university. Through active participation in the problem-solving process, clients develop the ability to prevent, manage, and resolve future conflicts. This resource is available to all medical students regardless of their physical location across WWAMI.
Click here to make an appointment for a consultation with the Office of the Ombud.
Contact phone: 206.543.6028
Contact email: ombuds@uw.edu
Website: https://www.washington.edu/ombud/
Student Legal Services
Student Legal Services (SLS) provides a safe and confidential space for all UW-Seattle students who have legal questions or concerns. SLS offers free 40-minute consultations on a broad range of issues. Students can also hire SLS for ongoing representation for a low hourly rate.
Contact phone: 206.543.6486
Website: depts.washington.edu/slsuw
Location: HUB 306
Reporting Bias Incidents
From the UW’s Reporting Bias Incidents website:
“The University of Washington values and honors diverse experiences and perspectives, strives to create welcoming and respectful learning environments and promotes access and opportunity. If you encounter or suspect incidents of bias, you are encouraged to file a report, which will be reviewed by the UW’s Bias Incident Advisory Committee. Whenever possible, bias reports will be reviewed within two to four business days.”
Civil Rights Investigation Office
The Civil Rights Investigation Office investigates complaints made about University employees and students that raise concerns relating to civil rights such as protection from discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and sexual misconduct.
Title IX
The Civil Rights Investigation Office also investigates both employees and students who are alleged to have engaged in conduct that may have violated Title IX, including the Title IX regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Education.
Title IX is a Federal law that states: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” It and other federal and state laws prohibit all forms of sex- and gender-based discrimination, including sexual harassment, relationship violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, and sexual assault. Title IX also prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, and pregnancy and related conditions. Retaliation against those who raise complaints or participate in the complaint investigation and resolution process is also prohibited by this law.
Anyone at any time can contact the Civil Rights Investigation Office about their concerns via email or by leaving a voicemail. When you contact the Investigation Office, please indicate whether you are raising concerns about an employee, a student, or both. This will help ensure the information you provide is routed to the correct individual.
Contact phone: 206-616-2028
Website: https://www.washington.edu/cr-investigations/
Contact email: Civil Rights Investigation Office <cr-investigations@uw.edu>
Hazing Prevention, Reporting, and Education
From the UW’s Hazing Prevention and Response website:
“The University of Washington prohibits student organizations and athletic teams from engaging individually or collectively in hazing activities.
Hazing includes any act committed as part of a person’s recruitment, initiation into, pledging, admission into, or affiliation with a student organization, athletic team, or living group, or any pastime that is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious psychological or emotional harm, to any student. This includes causing, directing, coercing, or forcing a person to consume any food, liquid, alcohol, drug, or other substance that subjects the person to risk of such harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate (H.B. 1751).”
Reporting Hazing
All employees and volunteers at the University of Washington, including student employees, are required to report hazing if, as a result of observations or information received in the course of employment or volunteer service, any employee has reasonable cause to believe that hazing has occurred. “Reasonable cause” means a person who witnesses hazing or receives a credible written or oral report alleging hazing or a potential or planned hazing activity.
To report being subjected to or witnessing an incident of hazing, please use the UW Community Standards & Student Conduct’s (CSSC) reporting tool. If you would prefer to consult with a CSSC staff member, please email nohazing@uw.edu or phone 206-685-6194.
Hazing Prevention Education
The University of Washington is required by law to provide hazing prevention education on the signs and dangers of hazing as well as the institution’s prohibition on hazing to students, student employees, faculty, staff, volunteers, and members of the greater UW community, including family and chosen family of UW students and the concerned public. In alignment with this requirement, the UW has developed several initiatives designed to provide hazing prevention education, including required online training for students.