Unlawful Discrimination and Harassment Complaint Process

Complaints of unlawful discrimination or harassment are taken seriously and will be dealt with promptly, thoroughly, impartially, and equitably. Where unlawful discrimination or harassment is found to have occurred, the NSHE institution or unit where it occurred will act to stop the unlawful discrimination or harassment, to prevent its recurrence, to remedy its effects, if any, and to discipline those responsible.

Complaints of unlawful discrimination or harassment should be filed as soon as possible with the Title IX Coordinator, supervisor, department chair, or dean.

If anyone in a supervisory, managerial, administrative or executive role or position, such as a supervisor, department chair, or director of a unit, receives a complaint of unlawful discrimination or harassment, or observes or becomes aware of conduct that may constitute unlawful discrimination or harassment, the person must immediately contact the Title IX Coordinator to forward the complaint and/or provide information about the conduct, to discuss it and/or to report the action taken.

Timeframes

Complaints of unlawful discrimination or harassment that does not constitute sexual harassment under Title IX must be filed within the time frames stated below.

Holidays and weekends should be included in all calculations. If, however, the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the complaint may be filed on the next business day and still considered timely. (Business days are non-weekend and non-holiday days in which NSHE administrative offices are open for business.)

Resources, to include actions commonly classified as “interim measures,” are available to eligible students and employees notwithstanding the issue of timeliness.

Employee Complaints

All employment complaints alleging unlawful discrimination or harassment (to include retaliation) must be received in the appropriate institutional office within 300 calendar days from the day the alleged act took place. If more than one act is alleged, the deadline will apply to each act independently, except in complaints of ongoing unlawful discrimination or harassment. Complaints of ongoing unlawful discrimination or harassment must be filed within 300 calendar days of the last alleged incident of unlawful harassment, although all alleged incidents of ongoing unlawful discrimination or harassment may be considered during the investigation, even if the earlier incidents are alleged to have occurred more than 300 calendar days earlier.

Student Complaints

All student complaints alleging unlawful discrimination or harassment (to include retaliation) must be received in the institution’s appropriate office within 180 calendar days from the day the alleged act took place. If more than one act is alleged, the deadline will apply to each event independently, except in complaints of ongoing unlawful discrimination or harassment. Complaints of ongoing unlawful discrimination or harassment must be filed within 180 calendar days of the last alleged incident of ongoing unlawful discrimination or harassment, although all alleged incidents of ongoing unlawful discrimination or harassment may be considered during the investigation, even if the earlier incidents are alleged to have occurred more than 180 calendar days earlier.