Requesting Assistance

Individuals who contact the Office for Equity and Accessibility concerning an issue related to discrimination, harassment, Title IX, or the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) will be asked  to provide a detailed description of the problematic conduct in order for the office to determine the appropriate course of action.

Following initial contact with the office, a member of the compliance staff will meet with the complainant to explain:

• Available options for resolution;
  
• The resolution process;
  
• Rights of complainants and respondents;
  
• Procedures and timelines; and
  
• Potential outcomes.
  

The university respects the privacy of individuals involved in the Office for Equity and Accessibility complaint process. The office will only share information with other university entities, including supervisors, on a need-to-know basis.

If there appears to be imminent risk of physical harm to an employee or another individual, or if it involves the sexual harassment of a student, the Office for Equity and Accessibility is statutorily required to intervene and report the incident to the appropriate office in order to stop the behavior.

It is also recommended that individuals involved in the complaint process should seek assistance and support from the employee assistance program (for employees) or Cook Counseling (for students).

To schedule an appointment, contact the Office for Equity and Accessibility.

To file a formal discrimination complaint, simply fill out and submit  OEA's formal complaint form.  If you would prefer to speak to an OEA representative first, please contact OEA to schedule an appointment.  For information about OEA's procedures, please see OEA's Anti-Discrimination Complaint Procedures for addressing prohibited conduct by university employees.  

ADA and Accessibility Services and Services for Students with Disabilities are the two entities on campus which can assist you with obtaining an accommodation.

Students
Contact Services for Students with Disabilities to request academic accommodations.

Employees and visitors
Faculty, staff (including student employees), and visitors should contact ADA and Accessibility Services to request employment accommodations. 

Required ADA forms for a workplace accommodation are here.

Required ADA forms for returning to work with restrictions are here.

Reasonable accommodations
A reasonable accommodation is any modification or adjustment to a job or the work environment that will enable a qualified applicant or employee with a disability to participate in the application process or to perform essential job functions.

Reasonable accommodations also include adjustments to assure that a qualified individual with a disability has rights and privileges in employment equal to those of employees without disabilities.

Reasonable accommodations do not change the fundamental elements of a program or eliminate the essential functions of a job.

Disability-related information
Disability-related information is protected health information. Disability-related information must be filed with the appropriate offices, including  ADA and Accessibility Services (for employees) and Services for Students with Disabilities (for students).

Any student or employee who believes that he or she has been discriminated against on the basis of their disability status or has been denied access or accommodations required by law may make a complaint under this procedure: Section 504/Title II Complaint Procedures