Greetings, Ducks!

As we welcome you to a new academic year, it is an ideal time to renew our commitment to maintaining a safe, inclusive campus community. The University of Oregon is deeply committed to your health and well-being, your academic success, and engaging you in a learning experience that creates a healthier campus community.

In partnership with the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (OEOA, previously the Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance), the Division of Student Life addresses reports of sexual and relationship violence and provides support for survivors of such violence. In addition, the division and OEOA respond to reports of discrimination and harassment based on ancestry, religion, national origin, race, color, disability, sex and gender, and veteran status, among others.

Our campus offers two primary Title IX programs: the Care and Advocacy Program and Health Promotion and Wellness Services. These programs are focused on preventing and responding to sexual violence by providing 24/7 access to confidential advocacy for survivors, and by educating all students about promoting healthy relationship behaviors and bystander intervention. Our goal, and that of Oregon House Bill 3456, is to improve the reporting of sexual misconduct, stalking, sexual exploitation, and dating and domestic violence. We also seek to provide meaningful support to survivors and to reduce incidents of sex- and gender-based harassment and violence.

Sexual and relationship violence are serious, systemic issues that impact campus communities nationwide. At the UO, we believe in holistic, community-based approaches to ending sexual and relationship violence. Preventing violence and creating a culture where it is not tolerated requires us to engage in ongoing education and dialogue about these issues. As such, you will receive a specific message on required training modules next month.

Title VI prohibits discrimination and harassment based on national origin, race, and color. This includes a prohibition against anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. What this means is that students should not be blamed, harassed (in person, online, or otherwise) or excluded from educational opportunities or holding events because of their religion, their ancestry, the language they speak, or for any other reason related to a protected characteristic. UO students are not responsible for the decisions or actions of government actors abroad.

Staff in OEOA are available to meet with students to provide information and options for addressing reports of discrimination and harassment under the University’s Prohibited Discrimination and Retaliation policy. OEOA can also provide supportive measures for students and assist with referrals to campus partners to help ensure students receive the support they need. Students do not need to participate in university processes to receive supportive measures.

All employees, including student employees when they are at work, are required to report discrimination and harassment, including sex- and gender-based harassment and violence, as well as harassment based on religion and ancestry, to ensure the university can respond effectively by offering support and options for addressing what happened. Note that some employees are considered confidential and are not bound by the requirement to report.

Students can visit How to Get Support to review options for support and to understand the procedures for accessing those resources.

Best wishes for the new year and continued success throughout your UO career!

Angela Lauer Chong, JD 
Vice President for Student Life
University of Oregon

Nicole Commissiong
Chief Civil Rights Officer and Title IX/ADA Coordinator
University of Oregon