Home

II-14.6 Investigation of Formal Complaints

(Amended 5/15; 7/15; 7/1/17)

Effective July 1, 2017, this policy has been revised. For the most current version without redlining, return to II-14. 

  1. A formal complaint pursuant to this policy must be brought to one of the following offices for investigation depending upon the status of the respondent and the nature of the allegations:
    1. Protected class harassment. If the complaint alleges harassment based on a classification covered by II-3 Human Rights (race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, associational preferences, or any other classification that deprives the person of consideration as an individual), a formal complaint should be brought to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity (202 Jessup Hall, 319-335-0705) regardless of the status of the respondent.
    2. Other harassment. If the complaint alleges harassment that is not based on a classification covered by II-3 Human Rights (race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, associational preferences, or any other classification that deprives the person of consideration as an individual), a person should bring a formal complaint to one of the following offices depending on the status of the respondent:
      1. Faculty or instructor. If the respondent is a faculty member, teaching assistant, or other instructor, a formal complaint should be brought to the respondent's collegiate dean or to the Office of the Provost (111 Jessup Hall, 319-335-3565);
      2. Staff member. If the respondent is a staff member (organized or non-organized professional and scientific, organized or non-organized merit staff), a formal complaint should be brought to the Senior Human Resources Leadership Representative for the unit employing the respondent;
      3. Student. If the respondent is a student, a formal complaint should be brought to the Dean of Students (135 Iowa Memorial Union, 319-335-1162) or the Dean of the Graduate College (201 Gilmore Hall, 319-335-2143).
  2. A formal complaint may be brought after an informal resolution was not successfully reached, or may be brought immediately without pursuing informal resolution.
  3. The purpose of the investigation is to establish whether there is a reasonable basis for believing that a violation of this policy has occurred. In conducting the investigation, the investigating office will make reasonable efforts to interview the alleged victim, the complainant (if other than the alleged victim), and the respondent, and may interview other persons believed to have pertinent factual knowledge, as well as review any relevant documentary evidence. At all times, the investigating office will take steps to ensure confidentiality to the extent possible.
  4. When a formal complaint is brought, the respondent will be informed of the allegations, the identity of the complainant, and the facts surrounding the allegations. The investigation will afford the respondent an opportunity to respond to the allegations and evidence provided by the complainant and/or alleged victim, and to provide a statement of the facts as perceived by the respondent.
  5. At the conclusion of the investigation, the investigating office will issue a written finding which will summarize the evidence gathered and state whether or not there is a reasonable basis for believing that a violation of this policy has occurred. The written finding will normally be issued within 45 days of when the complaint was filed. When it is not reasonably possible to issue the finding within 45 days, the investigating office will notify the alleged victim and the respondent that the finding will be delayed and indicate the reasons for the delay. The alleged victim and the respondent will receive a copy of the written finding, which is to remain confidential as defined below by II-14.12c. Third-party complainants will be notified only that the proceedings are concluded.
  6. If the investigating office finds a reasonable basis for believing that a violation of this policy has occurred, the matter will be referred to the appropriate administrator for further consideration as outlined in II-14.7 below.