Any Brown community member – whether a student, faculty or staff member, campus visitor or guest – who has experienced or witnessed discrimination, harassment or retaliation is encouraged to report it.

To report discrimination, harassment or retaliation, Brown community members are encouraged to use the Discrimination and Harassment Reporting Form. 

To report gender discrimination or sexual violence, Brown community members are encouraged to use the Gender Discrimination and Sexual Violence Incident Reporting Form.

Discrimination and Harassment Complaint Resolution Process

Brown's Discrimination and Harassment Complaint Resolution Procedure is intended to provide a fair, prompt, and reliable mechanism for determining whether the University’s Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy has been violated and, if so, to provide appropriate resolution.

If you are considering filing a report, the overview below can help you understand what to expect.

Learn about your options by meeting with a staff member. If you have included your contact information in your initial report, a staff member will invite you to meet to discuss your situation. This is an opportunity for you to share more information about the incident, ask questions and learn about formal and informal options for resolution, including information on filing a formal complaint, how to report the incident to law enforcement, and the protective and support measures and resources that are available to you. 

Determine your path forward. There are multiple paths to addressing incidents and resolving your concerns, which can be explained in more detail when you meet with a staff member. The University responds to all reports with appropriate responsive action. As much as possible, we respect your privacy, autonomy and decisions about how to proceed. It is important to know, however, that there are certain circumstances when the University is required to take action or share information.

Pursue an informal resolution process. An informal resolution may be pursued when the impacted party and accused party agree to engage in a process that does not involve a formal investigation.

Pursue a formal investigation process. If the administrator’s initial assessment has determined that the allegations, if substantiated, would violate the Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy, and that the accused party is a covered person under the policy, you may proceed by filing a formal complaint. You may use the information from your initial incident report, or submit a written formal complaint by emailing equity_reporting@brown.edu. In certain instances, the University may make the decision to move forward with the formal investigation.

Proceed through the formal investigation process. An investigator may conduct interviews with involved parties and request documents, emails, text messages or other relevant records. Once all relevant information has been collected, the investigator will evaluate the information and make a determination about whether the policy has been violated. If so, the investigator will make a recommendation of discipline, which will be imposed by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards for students, the relevant senior officer for staff, and the relevant dean for faculty. The respondent has the right to appeal the determination and discipline.

Reach out for support resources. At all times – and especially during and following times of stress and crisis – there is a range of resources available to you. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and the Office of the Chaplains are confidential options; visit Seek Support for more.

University Commitments. The University is committed to ensuring an environment free from protected class discrimination or harassment. When the University becomes aware of behavior that could lead to the creation of a hostile environment, the University will take action to address the developing concern. These concerns may be addressed in a variety of ways, including through the Campus Climate Review Team or administrative action to stop, remedy, or prevent behavior. 

Title IX Complaint Resolution Processes

The Title IX and Gender Equity Office maintains complaint procedures to address sexual misconduct complaints in a prompt, impartial and unbiased manner, grounded in fairness and support to both complainants and respondents.

Learn about the Title IX Grievance Procedure. This grievance procedure provides informal and formal resolution processes for alleged violations of the Title IX Policy. 

Learn about the Sexual Misconduct Grievance Procedure. This grievance procedure provides informal and formal resolution processes for alleged violations of the Sexual Misconduct Policy. 

For more information on these policies and procedures, please visit the Gender Discrimination & Sexual Violence (Title XI) website.