Every member of the AU community shares responsibility for following university policies and contributing to a respectful campus environment. Different university offices have distinct responsibilities:  

• Equity and Title IX evaluates concerns that may involve discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or sexual misconduct and determines whether a University policy or grievance process applies.  ETIX also participates in other campus groups that evaluate and assess University Campus Climate issues that do not rise to the level of a Policy violation for additional University action and support. 

• CART supports community response, learning, restoration, and coordinated strategies related to campus climate. CART coordinates non-punitive campus-climate support, educational responses, relationship-building, restoration, and community-level intervention. It does not investigate policy violations or impose discipline. CART does not replace Equity and Title IX or other formal reporting and accountability processes. 

  • CART is not a substitute for reporting discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or sexual misconduct to Equity and Title IX. Concerns that may involve a policy violation should be submitted to Equity and Title IX. You may also contact CART when seeking educational support, assistance navigating community tension, restorative engagement, or broader campus-climate intervention. If CART receives information suggesting a possible policy violation, it will refer the matter to the appropriate office. 

• ICAN, as a strategic subcommittee of CART, focuses on prevention, institutional learning, climate indicators, emerging patterns, and long-term improvement. ICAN is the proactive, data-informed arm of the campus-climate structure. It reviews climate indicators and emerging patterns, engages campus partners, and develops prevention, institutional-learning, and long-term improvement strategies.  

• AUPD  addresses immediate safety concerns, emergencies, potential criminal conduct, and threats to people or property.  

Other matters may be referred to the Dean of Students, Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices, Human Resources, Faculty Affairs, CARE Network, Center for Student Belonging, Center for Student Involvement, or another appropriate University office or resource. 

Concerns involving potential discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual misconduct, or bias based on protected status should be submitted through Equity and Title IX’s online reporting form: www.american.guardianconduct.com. Reports may also be made by emailing [email protected] or calling 202-885-8080 .  

Community members may also contact CART at [email protected] for assistance with community tension, educational responses, relationship-building, or ideas for improving campus climate. CART will refer concerns involving possible policy violations to the appropriate university office.   

Even if you are not sure if an incident is sufficiently serious or severe to rise to the level of a Climate Concern, you should report that incident to the Equity & Title IX office.  Reports of Climate Concerns can be submitted here: Report Now. 

• Remember: You do not need to determine whether the conduct violates university policy before submitting a report. Equity and Title IX will review the information, discuss available resources and options, and determine whether the matter should be addressed through a policy process or referred to another university office. 

• After you report a climate concern to Equity & Title IX, you will be contacted as soon as possible by a staff member responsible for responding to climate concerns who will provide support, learn more about who was affected and speak with you about desired next steps. You will have the opportunity to speak with Equity & Title IX about whether you would like to continue with or participate in the process with Equity & Title IX moving forward. 

• You may also speak with available Confidential Resources to receive additional information and determine what next steps you would like to follow. Confidential Resources at AU include: 

  • Confidential Resource Advisors 

  • Center for Well-Being Programs and Psychological Services 

  • Student Health Center, Medical Providers 

  • University Chaplain and Ordained Clergy 

  • Professional Counselors, Faculty and Staff Assistance Program 

Yes. Anonymous reports are accepted. However, anonymity may limit the University’s ability to contact the reporter, obtain additional information, investigate the matter, provide individualized support, or share updates.  

• The University may still use the information to identify patterns, assess community needs, provide broader support, or take appropriate safety and climate-related measures.   

• You may submit a report about something you witnessed, learned about, or believe has affected another member of the AU community. Provide as much accurate information as you can and distinguish between what you personally observed and what was shared with you. Equity and Title IX accepts reports submitted for oneself or on behalf of another person. 

Equity and Title IX will review the reported information and, when contact information is provided, reach out to discuss the concern, available support, and possible next steps. The office will determine whether the reported conduct may fall within its policies (Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy and Grievance Procedures and Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation, and Sexual Misconduct Policy and Grievance Procedures) or should be referred to another University resource. Submitting a report does not automatically begin a formal investigation. The person affected will generally have an opportunity to discuss available options before deciding whether to pursue a formal process, although the University may have obligations to act in certain circumstances.   

• If it is determined that a Climate Concern does not rise to the level of a violation of these policies, action may still be taken regarding the incident consistent with other University policies, including, but not limited to: Code of Student Conduct; Faculty Manual; Staff Personnel Manual; Registered Student Organization Manual; and others. The matter may also be referred to other University offices 

• Actions the University can take to address Climate Concerns can include: educational programming; mediation; community-based programming; evaluation of University processes and procedures; individual outreach to AU Community members and groups affected by the concern; and more. 

If you want to check on the status of a Climate Concern you reported to Equity & Title IX, please reach out to the office at [email protected]. 

• Please be aware that Equity & Title IX may not be permitted to share all information related to Climate Concern responses with you. The University is required to adhere to numerous laws related to individual privacy. Equity & Title IX will share with you the information permitted by law. 

• Please note that Equity & Title IX investigations involve a lengthy process. Where possible, Equity & Title IX will coordinate with other offices to allow for the provision of prompt resources and action related to climate matters. 

If a person reports information about a Climate Concern anonymously, or declines to further participate in ETIX's process, Equity & Title IX will not provide updates on the status of the matter in order to protect the individual's privacy and respect the individual wishes of the reporter. 

The University will protect information and share it only with individuals who need it to evaluate the concern, provide support, or carry out an appropriate response. Complete confidentiality cannot be guaranteed when information must be disclosed to investigate or resolve a matter.  

• Community members seeking a confidential conversation may contact designated confidential resources. For students, these include Confidential Resource Advisors, Psychological Services, medical providers in the Student Health Center, and ordained chaplains in the Kay Spiritual Life Center. Faculty and staff may contact Confidential Resource Advisors and the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program.   

Yes. Online conduct may be reported when it involves an AU community member, targets an individual or group connected to AU, or meaningfully affects participation in the university community. Examples may include coordinated harassment, threats, discriminatory targeting, impersonation, or doxxing.  

The University will review the conduct in context and determine whether university policy applies, while also considering applicable free-expression protections.  

Yes. You may report conduct that occurred off campus, during travel, at an organization event, in an internship setting, or online. Equity and Title IX will determine whether the matter falls within university jurisdiction or may be addressed under another university policy. Even when AU cannot pursue a formal process, the University may still be able to provide support or referrals.   

No. A report communicates a concern and allows the University to review the available information. It is not a finding of responsibility. Any determination that a policy was violated must be made through the applicable university process, with appropriate notice and procedural protections.  

Employees designated as Responsible Employees must promptly share required disclosures with Equity and Title IX. Employees should not promise confidentiality unless they are serving in an officially designated confidential role. Faculty or staff members who are uncertain about their reporting responsibilities should contact Equity and Title IX for guidance.