The Investigative Process

Pursuant to the Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment Policy

Office for Dispute Resolution staff are available to talk about the formal complaint process in addition to making sure you are receiving the appropriate supports supportive measures.

 

DOWNLOAD THE PDF

 

EN ESPAÑOL

File a Complaint Icon
You may file your formal complaint by emailing it to the University Title IX Coordinator1 at
oge@harvard.edu.

Please remember that your formal complaint must be in writing. In addition:

  • It should state the name of the alleged harasser (if known)
  • It should describe with reasonable specificity the incident(s) of alleged harassment, including the date and place of such incident(s)
  • It must be in the Complainant's or Reporter's own words, and may not be authored by others, including family members, advisors, or attorneys
  • It should have an attached list of any sources of information (for example, witnesses, correspondence, records, etc.) that the Complainant or Reporter believes may be relevant to the investigation. However, a complaint should not be delayed if such sources of information are unknown or unavailable.
 

File a Formal Complaint

A formal complaint may be filed by the person who experienced the harassment, the “Complainant,” or by a concerned third party, the “Reporter.” The person filing must write the complaint in their own words. The person against whom the allegations are made is called the “Respondent.”

Initial Review icon yellow

Initial Review

During the initial interview, ODR speaks with the Complainant and/or Reporter in order to understand the allegations and any related conduct. At this point, the Complainant is informed of their rights and their local Title IX Resource Coordinator2 is notified of the complaint.

Assessment icon yellow

Assessment

At the end of the initial interview, ODR then determines if the facts alleged were true, would they constitute a violation of the Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment Policy?

 

Complaint Closed

If the answer is no, ODR notifies the Complainant and/or Reporter and the complaint will be administratively closed. If other Harvard policies may be implicated, ODR will refer the matter to the appropriate School or unit.

Reconsideration

Within one week of administrative closure, the Complainant or the Reporter may request reconsideration on the grounds there is substantive and relevant new information.

(The investigative process ends when a complaint is closed.)

OR

 

Notify Complainant

If the answer is yes, ODR notifies the Complainant or Reporter and appropriate School or unit of the plan to investigate. If there is a police investigation into the same allegations, ODR will assess the timing of its investigation, so as not to compromise the criminal investigation.

Unwilling Complainant

If the prospective Complainant is unwilling to participate or wants to withdraw their complaint, but the School or unit has determined the severity of the harassment and the potential risk to others warrants an investigation, the Title IX Resource Coordinator or designee will be considered the Complainant.

Continue

Notify Respondent icon yellow

Notify Respondent

ODR notifies the Respondent in writing of allegations and provides Respondent with copies of the complaint and any supporting materials filed with the complaint. ODR informs Respondent of their rights.

Criminal Allegations

If the alleged conduct might also constitute criminal conduct, the Respondent is advised to seek legal counsel before making any written or oral statements. Also, both parties may consult with legal counsel at any time.

File a Response icon yellow

File a Response

Respondent has the opportunity to file a Response, written in their own words, to the ODR. ODR then provides a copy of the Response to the Complainant.

 

Interviews

ODR conducts separate interviews with each of the parties. If applicable, the parties may bring a Personal Advisor to their respective interviews with ODR. A Personal Advisor may be, for example, a University Officer, attorney, or advocate.

Additional Information icon yellow

Additional Information

ODR collects additional information (e.g., interviewing witnesses, collecting documents, conducting site visits). The parties may submit additional materials they believe may be relevant. Copies of these materials will be given to the other party and, at that party’s discretion, their Personal Advisor (if applicable).

Follow Up Interviews icon yellow

Follow-up Interviews

ODR conducts follow-up interviews with the parties separately. These interviews give each party an opportunity to respond to all information ODR may use in reaching its conclusions.

 

Draft Report

ODR produces a Draft Report containing findings of fact and determination. Copies are given to both parties.

Parties Respond icon yellow

Parties Respond

Parties are permitted, but not required, to submit written responses to the Draft Report within one week of receiving it. ODR considers any written responses from the parties before finalizing the report.

Final Report icon yellow

Final Report

ODR issues the Final Report and gives copies to the parties, the Title IX Resource Coordinator, and appropriate School or unit official. The Report contains findings of fact, applies the preponderance of the evidence standard, determines whether there was a violation of the Policy, and, if a violation is found, outlines recommended  measures to eliminate any harassment, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects.

 

Appeal

Both parties may appeal ODR’s determinations to an independent panel within one week of receiving the Final Report. Parties may appeal on two grounds: (1) procedural error that may change the outcome of the decision, or (2) substantive and relevant new information that was not available at the time of the investigation and may change the outcome of the decision.

Sanctions

ODR does not issue sanctions. It is the Respondent’s School or unit that considers the Final Report and decides discipline as appropriate.

scale

The Harvard Law School (HLS) Sexual Harassment Resources and Procedures for Students will apply only when both the complainant and the respondent are HLS students. Otherwise, the University Procedures will apply.

The investigation may be completed ordinarily within six weeks of receipt of the complaint. There may be circumstances requiring longer timeframes, for example, in the interest of the integrity and completeness of the investigation, to accommodate party or witness availability, to comply with requests by or not to prejudice investigations or processes of external law enforcement, or for other legitimate reasons, including the complexity of the investigation and the severity or extent of alleged misconduct. Please note that the investigator may impose reasonable timeframes on the parties to ensure a prompt and equitable investigation. ODR will keep the parties informed of the progress of the investigation.

Supportive measures , formerly referred to as interim measures, may be assessed at any time during the investigative process, including after a disciplinary decision is made. For more information on supportive measures, please contact your local Title IX Resource Coordinator.

1Formerly known as the Title IX Officer.

2 Formerly known as Title IX Coordinator.