Campus Climate Concerns Reporting Process
Creating and maintaining a respectful and welcoming environment for all to live, learn, work and thrive is a priority at UM-Flint. To that end, the university has established a Campus Climate Support team, focused on addressing concerns that may create harm to members of the university community based on their social identities.
The CCS team is committed to providing support for those who may have been targets of, or affected by, campus climate concerns. Reports of campus climate concerns by UM-Flint students, faculty and staff will be reviewed by the CCS team that will in turn work to ensure that appropriate university resources and expertise are provided to anyone who feels they have been harmed or negatively impacted.
CCS is not a disciplinary body, cannot impose sanctions, and does not require participation in any aspect of CCS’s work. CCS’s purpose is to support students, faculty or staff and connect them to resources. A longer-term desired outcome is that over time these efforts will contribute to the maintenance of respect and understanding among members of the University community, improving the campus climate for everyone.
What is a Campus Climate Concern?
A campus climate concern can include actions that discriminate, stereotype, exclude, harass or harm anyone in our community based on their identity, including race and ethnicity, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, language, culture, national origin, religious commitments, age, (dis)ability status, political perspective and other variables related to life experience.
Concerns may stem from fear, misunderstanding, hatred or stereotypes.
Behaviors may be intentional or unintentional.
Campus Climate Support is provided by staff who are devoted to supporting community members in obtaining resources and navigating options and next steps. An ad hoc group will convene stakeholders when necessary to address arising community considerations related to a report of a campus climate concern. Members of the ad hoc group will include representatives from:
- Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX
- Office of the Vice President and General Counsel
- Intercultural Center
- Center for Gender and Sexuality
- Chief Diversity Officer
- Disability and Accessibility Support Services
- Department of Public Safety
- Conduct / Community Standards
- Office of the Dean of Students
- Marketing and Communications
This group will meet at least monthly, with additional meetings called as needed. Campus Climate Support is provided to assist those who feel impacted by campus climate concerns and to promote respect and understanding among members of the University community.
For student concerns, the ODOS is responsible for disciplinary proceedings as the CCS team is not a disciplinary body. CCS may discuss with a student how to file a complaint with ODOS if it appears that a violation of the university’s Code of Student Conduct has been alleged, but it is not the role of CCS to investigate or determine whether a reported concern involves a violation of university policy.
Likewise, the Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office is responsible for investigations relating to protected category discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct as CCS is not an investigative body. CCS may discuss with a student or university employee how to file a complaint with ECRT if it appears that a violation of the university’s Sex and Gender-Based Misconduct Policy or Discrimination and Harassment Policy has been reported, as it is not the role of CCS to investigate or determine whether a reported concern involved a violation of university policy.
The Office of the Dean of Students and Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office work in tandem to determine the appropriate investigative unit.
How to Report a Campus Climate Support Concern
There are several ways you can report a campus climate concern. The staff members at these offices are trained to be sensitive to student, faculty, staff and community concerns.
- Online: Maxient Form
- Phone: Campus Climate Concern Reporting Line is available by calling ODEI at 810-237-6530 to report a campus climate concern during normal working hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. If it is after hours, leave a message and a staff member will get back to you the next business day.
- In-Person: Wondering where to report a campus climate concern? You can report to any unit that has a representative on the ad hoc committee, as listed above. These offices and resources exist to support students, staff and faculty.
We encourage you to use these resources to report concerns and to encourage others to report if they have been the target of or witness to a campus climate concern.
What to Report
Campus climate concerns may come in many forms. If you feel that you have experienced harm and would like to discuss the concern, please call ODEI at 810-237-6530.
Campus climate concerns may involve conduct that does not violate any law or university policy. Some cases, however, do involve conduct that may violate federal, state or local laws or U-M policies. Below are some examples of policies that may be violated, but conduct need not violate any such policy to be considered a campus climate concern.
Campus Climate Concerns/Crimes
If you have experienced a crime, report it directly to DPS at 810-762-3333 or the Flint Police Department at 810-237-6800. For ongoing emergencies, please call 911.
VIOLATIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN STANDARD PRACTICE GUIDE.
VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT.
What Happens Next?
After you report a concern, a member of the Campus Climate Support team will contact you to set up a meeting to discuss what happened and offer support and assistance. You will learn about your rights as a UM-Flint community member. The staff member supporting you will refer you to available reporting options.