Reporting Options

If you have experienced or witnessed an alleged violation of our departmental Principles of Community, we encourage you to file a report through one of the pathways described on this page. The principle reporting mechanisms are Title IX (for sexual violence and harassment) and the Hate/Bias Response Program (for discrimination, microaggressions, bullying, or similar actions that contribute to a hostile climate). Filing a report won’t trigger an investigation or further actions without your permission, and in some cases your report can be anonymous.

If you’re not sure where to start, you can reach out to any trusted person in the department, including but not limited to:

Note that UCSC employees, including faculty and staff, are mandatory reporters under the sexual violence and sexual harassment policy. The CARE office can give you confidential support in cases of sexual violence or harassment. 

If you would prefer to discuss issues with someone outside of the department, you can contact the Physical and Biological Sciences Division associate dean of diversity, equity, and inclusion (Christina Ravelo).

Hate or bias incidents

This might include discriminatory comments or actions, denigrating jokes or comments, microaggressions, bullying, or any other actions that create a hostile or unwelcoming climate.

How to report? The Hate/Bias Response Program has a form for students to report incidents. Students can also make a report in person at the office of the Dean of Students. Other department members can report incidents to any of the Hate/Bias Response Team members at odei@ucsc.edu. You can report incidents anonymously.

Who sees the report? Information is kept confidential to the extent possible, and the report is only shared among members of the Hate/Bias Response Team at the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. If the allegation is found to be a violation of the faculty code of conduct, the Earth and Planetary Sciences department chair will be notified. Some anonymized responses may be modified for training purposes by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

What happens to the report? For the complete process, see here. Someone from the Hate/Bias Response Team will contact you to provide support. If the incident is a potential violation of the student or faculty code of conduct, the team can reach out to the appropriate office for further investigation, but will respect your wishes for how to proceed. All reports are archived in case of repeat offenses.

Sexual violence and sexual harassment

This might include sexual violence, harassment, stalking, or discrimination based on gender (including prenancy or parenting), gender identy, or gender expression, and other topics described in the UC policy on sexual violence and harassment.

How to report? The Title IX office has an online form for reporting an incident or requesting a consultation, or you can call 831-459-2462. In a consultation, you can discuss a situation in a non-specific way or without sharing names.

Who sees the report? All reports are kept confidential, and only Title IX officers at UCSC are able to access them. If an official investigation is launched, the alleged perpetrator and their supervisor(s) will be notified about the allegation. Your Title IX rights protect you from retaliation if you make a report or participate in an investigation.

What happens to the report? Making a report does not necessarily start an investigation. The Title IX office will only start an official investigation with your permission, and your identity will be protected unless you agree to participate. Reports will be archived to establish a permanent record, in case the same person is the subject of repeated allegations.

Other resources. The on-campus CARE office has confidential advocates who can support anyone experiencing sexual harassment or violence (831-502-2273), including providing assistance with the reporting process. CAPS offers confidential counseling via appointment or same-day crisis assistance (831-459-2628). Off-campus, Monarch Services can provide legal assistance, emergency housing, and have a 24-hour sexual abuse and domestic violence crisis line (1-888-900-4232).

Other interpersonal conflicts

The UCSC ombuds office provides other resources for problem and complaint resolution, including but not limited to employment-related issues, ADA complaints and disability accommodations, grievances related to coursework, and advisor-advisee or other interpersonal conflicts. You can also start with any trusted member of the department, such as the graduate or undergraduate advisors and faculty representatives, if you want help navigating your options.