What does it mean to be a mandatory reporter?
All UAlbany employees — including student employees — who are not specifically designated as a confidential resource are mandatory reporters for allegations of sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence and/or stalking.
All supervisors are designated mandatory reporters for allegations of workplace discrimination. A supervisor is defined as anyone who supervises one or more employees — including teaching assistants, graduate assistants and residential assistants.
If you learn of a potential violation of University policy, you are required to report the information you have learned to the Office of Equity & Compliance.
Reports can be made by phone (518-442-3800), email ([email protected]) or the University's online reporting form.
You must ultimately make a report in writing; however, you can call our office before reporting to discuss any questions or concerns.
We are also available to answer any questions that you may have regarding your rights and responsibilities as a University employee.
Additional Guidance for Receiving Disclosures
Your response when you learn of allegations of sexual misconduct and/or workplace discrimination is very important and may determine whether the person making the disclosure chooses to tell anyone else or seek professional assistance.
University policy requires that you immediately report the information that you have learned. Do not initiate your own investigation. Even with the best intentions, doing so may exacerbate a situation or compromise an investigation.
When approached by an individual choosing to make a disclosure, be sure to:
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Be clear about your role, your responsibility to report the information shared and your ability to help.
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Do not promise confidentiality. Rather, be prepared to offer information about where they can report confidentially, should they prefer to do that. Review confidential resources.
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Notify the individual that they may request that the University refrain from initiating or conducting an investigation.
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Inform the individual of their right to file a complaint with both law enforcement and the University, simultaneously.
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Advise them that advocacy services and other supportive resources are available.
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Listen, but do not ask questions, beyond inquiring about their safety. Examples of appropriate safety questions include: Do you feel safe? Do you want me to call an ambulance? Do you want me to call the police? You are only required to report what you have learned. For example, if you are told about a sexual assault but you don’t know when or where it happened, or who was involved, do not ask. Report what you were told, when you were told, who told you and any additional relevant information you have.
Title IX Syllabus Language
We strongly encourage instructors to share information with students about Title IX and their mandatory reporting responsibilities.
Including this information is optional, not mandatory. However, if an instructor opts to include Title IX language in their syllabus, they may not change the language provided below.
Instructors who want to include a Title IX statement that at all differs from what is provided below must contact the Office of Equity and Compliance:
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs and activities.
The University at Albany Sexual Violence Prevention & Response and Title IX Grievance policies prohibit offenses defined as sexual harassment, sexual assault, intimate partner violence (dating or domestic violence), sexual exploitation, and stalking. These policies apply to the entire University at Albany community, including students, faculty, and staff of all gender identities. The University at Albany provides a variety of resources for support and advocacy to assist individuals who have experienced sexual offenses.
Confidential support and guidance can be found through Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) (518-442-5800), Student Health Services (518-442-5454) and Interfaith Services (518-442-5565). Individuals at these locations will not report crimes to law enforcement or university officials without permission, except for in extreme circumstances, such as a health and/or safety emergency.
Sexual offenses can be reported non-confidentially to the Title IX Coordinator within the Office of Equity & Compliance (518-442-3800 or Hudson Building, Room 117) and/or the University Police Department (518-442-3131).
Please note, faculty members are considered "responsible employees" at the University at Albany, meaning that they are required to report all known relevant details about a complaint of sexual violence to the University's Title IX Coordinator, including names of anyone involved or present, date, time, and location.
In an emergency, please call 911.