Oregon State University is committed to maintaining a working, learning, and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all the staff, faculty, and students of the University community are respected. The bullying policy provides the Office of University Human Resources (UHR) the opportunity to assess the allegations of bullying to determine if it falls within its definition of bullying, and is sufficiently supported by credible and specific facts to warrant the initiation of UHR’s informal or formal complaint resolution procedures. University Human Resources is committed to preventing and proactively addressing bullying at Oregon State University. Procedures for reporting behavior that violates the bullying policy can be reviewed below.
Procedure:
Prior to filing a complaint:
Bullying is a form of incivility that progresses and increases in severity over time. Prior to filing a complaint of bullying, you may contact the University Ombuds Office at [email protected]. The Ombuds can listen to your concerns, help you identify the type of conflict occurring, discuss options for informal resolution, and refer you to more formal options when you are ready. As an independent, informal office with expertise in working through conflict, incivility, and bullying, the University Ombuds Office is uniquely positioned to assist all members of the university community to address bullying. We encourage faculty, staff, students, and administrators to utilize this resource. Working with the Ombuds is voluntary. More information on Ombuds services, scope of confidentiality, and information about the dynamics and effects of bullying are available at website for the University Ombuds Office.
Filing a complaint:
Alleged violations of the bullying policy should be communicated to theUniversity Human Resources (UHR) Employee and Labor relations team at [email protected]. Any allegation of bullying made to UHR must be made in writing and include specific examples of conduct directed at the victim, specific examples of substantial emotional distress caused by the conduct, and specific examples of how the victim’s work, life, or study was impacted by the conduct. The complaint should be filed within 180 days of the last alleged harmful act.
Upon receiving a written allegation of bullying, UHR will assess the allegation to determine if the alleged misconduct falls within its definition of bullying, and is sufficiently supported by credible and specific facts to warrant the initiation of UHR’s informal or formal complaint resolution procedures. The policy doesn’t prohibit, for example, conduct that might be rude or inconsiderate but is not severe, pervasive or persistent. However, such conduct could fall short of reasonable expectations for behavior toward others and be addressed by unit leadership as a matter of appropriate performance.
UHR reserves exclusive discretion to decide whether, after initial assessment, an allegation of bullying warrants the initiation of UHR’s formal or informal complaint resolution procedures.
Concerns and questions about possible violations can be communicated to University Human Resources for consultation.
Additional Resources:
You may also contact the UHR to address concerns of incivility. You will be referred to a representative to help you triage the best avenue to process your concerns, and are available to work with all parties involved.
The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards is available at [email protected] or (541) 737-3656 to answer questions and receive complaints related to student conduct, including bullying behaviors.
Oregon State University is committed to creating and maintaining an equitable and inclusive working and learning environment. All individuals who are participating in university programs and activities, and all those who apply to participate in university programs and activities, have the right to do so fully, free from prohibited discrimination, discriminatory harassment, bullying, and retaliation.
To report concerns of discrimination, discriminatory harassment, or retaliation, please fill out the Equal Opportunity and Access: Concern of Discrimination, Harassment, or Retaliation form.
Reporting:
Individuals who believe they are subjected to behavior that rises to the level of bullying, are encouraged to promptly report concerns to UHR or to otherwise document any incidents involving related conduct.
UHR can provide information on available rights and resources and consultation to individuals even if they do not submit a formal complaint to UHR and/or if they do not want to proceed with a resolution into their situation. For individuals seeking a resolution through UHR, several informal resolution options are available or UHR may proceed with an investigation when the alleged conduct could violate OSU policy.
Privacy
UHR is not a confidential office. We keep reports made to our office as private and confidential as possible during and after UHR’s involvement in a matter, but we may need to share information with other offices (such as Equal Opportunity and Access) so that we can best assist with the concern. We protect complaint and investigation information to the fullest extent allowed by relevant laws.
There are confidential offices on and off campus who can hear concerns and provide support but are not required to take action with the information. Visit the EOA Discrimination Resources page for confidential campus and community resources or contact the University Ombuds Office, which is a confidential university resource available to all students and employees.
If you decide to tell someone about bullying that impacted you, how you tell your story and what you share is entirely up to you. The following are some resources and reporting options that may be available to you.
Additional Information
- Bullying Policy
- Report Discrimination, Discriminatory Harassment, or Retaliation
- Information on Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment
- Information on Retaliation
- Resources
Additional Reporting Options