Overview
The University of Oregon is committed to addressing all forms of harassment and fostering a safe and healthy work environment. Policies and conduct expectations apply to all staff, faculty, and students working, doing research, or engaging in scholarly activities or study either on-campus or at an off-site location.
It is NSF policy to “foster safe and harassment-free environments whenever science is conducted.” (NSF 2023 PAPPG, Section II.E.9.). Also see the NSF FAQs on the Policy Regarding Preparation and Submission of Plans. Grantees are required, effective for proposals submitted 01/30/2023 or later, to certify that we have a plan in place that addresses:
- Abuse of any person, including but not limited to harassment, stalking, bullying, or hazing or any kind, whether the behavior is carried out verbally, physically, electronically, or in written form; and
- Conduct that is unwelcome, offensive, indecent, obscene, or disorderly.
The UO meets the NSF requirements (as well as its own expectations) by using the policies and procedures outlined below, and as further amplified to cover special circumstances as dictated by the PI in the project-specific information shown in this document. Principal Investigators are responsible for distributing a copy of this plan to each participant of an off-campus or off-site research project before those individuals leave campus to participate in the off-campus or off-site activities. We have a template for filling out the plan for inclusion in an application. Please note, these plans must be provided to Sponsored Projects Services when proposals are routed for review and endorsement (and prior to submission).
Download the plan template here.
Key Policies and Procedures
As a baseline, all UO faculty, staff, and student workers are required to complete the Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Prevention course within 90 days of hire and again every two years. In addition, the University of Oregon has a comprehensive policy system designed to enforce the expectations for a safe and healthy work environment. The following is a list of applicable institutional policies and resources.
Institutional Policies and Resources
- Code of Ethics (Policy Number IV.02.01)
- Student Conduct Code (Policy Number III.01.01)
- Prohibited Discrimination and Retaliation Policy (Policy Number V.11.02)
- Family Relationships and Employment Policy
- Conflicts of Interest and Abuses of Power: Sexual, Physically Intimate, or Romantic Relationships with Students (Policy Number V.04.05)
- Faculty Handbook
- State of Oregon Whistleblower Protections
- Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance (OICRC)
Reporting Suspected Misbehavior
- Contact your supervisor.
- Report by contacting OICRC to address concerns of misconduct (discrimination, harassment, or retaliation). Reporting may be done anonymously and is confidential.