A message from the Chancellor about sexual violence and harassment.

Department: Art History

Post Date: October 24, 2017

News Details


You have likely seen the recent news stories about the U.S. Department of Education rescinding its guidance to universities on how to respond to sexual violence. This has raised questions and concerns in our community, so I want to join President Napolitano in affirming that the University of California’s systemwide policies and procedures on sexual violence and sexual harassment remain in full effect. The UC Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment, as implemented through the UC Irvine Guidelines for Reporting and Responding to Reports of Sex Offenses and the UC Irvine Guidelines for Reporting and Responding to Reports of Discrimination and Harassment, prohibits sexual harassment and sex offenses and requires equal rights for complainants and respondents. Beyond compliance, the policy reflects our shared commitment to a safe environment and a fair and consistent process for responding to reports of sexual violence.

To ensure that our community is free from sexual violence and sexual harassment, it is important that all members of our community act as active bystanders to prevent sexual harassment and sex offenses and to report incidents to the Office of Equal Opportunity & Diversity when they do occur. Per the UC Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment, all university employees (including staff, faculty and student staff) must make a report to OEOD when they learn through the course of their employment of an incident of sexual harassment or sex offense involving students. Additionally, supervisors and faculty have a further duty to report all incidents involving staff or faculty that they learn of during the course of their employment. Reporting to OEOD ensures that those affected by sexual harassment or sex offenses can learn about their rights and options and be given access to all the assistance and support services available. Additionally, the UCI Police Department can assist with emergency situations and criminal complaints.

Those affected by sexual harassment or sexual violence can receive confidential support through the Campus Assault Resources & Education office. Those accused of engaging in sexual harassment or sex offenses can receive information and assistance through the respondent services coordinator. Additionally, helpful information and resources are available to all of our community at http://soinfo.uci.edu.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the policy or your responsibility to report, please contact OEOD at 949-824-5594 or oeod@uci.edu.

Please join me in working to end sexual harassment and sex offenses in our community.

Chancellor Howard Gillman

www.chancellor.uci.edu