Retaliation
The University is committed to ensuring that its learning and working environments are free from all forms of discrimination and harassment. To that end, people are not to be discouraged from pursuing their right to a discrimination-free environment.
The University strictly prohibits and will not tolerate reprisals or retaliation against persons due to their assertion of their protected civil rights, including the filing of internal complaints of discrimination, filing complaints with Federal or State civil rights enforcement agencies, or participation in an investigation of such a complaint (e.g., serving as a witness), or seeking information as to their rights and responsibilities.
Retaliation constitutes a separate violation from an underlying discrimination charge. Thus, an instructor or supervisor could be found not responsible for an act of harassment and nevertheless be held responsible on a related complaint of retaliation.
The University provides additional protection against retaliation in Human Resource policy HR-520, Reporting University-Related Misconduct. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to report illegal and improper conduct - including not only harassment and discrimmination, but also fraud, corruption, conflicts of interest, etc. Individuals are protected from retaliation for filing a good faith report.