Campus Climate: Sexual Misconduct

“It’s up to all of us to report sexual misconduct, support those who come forward, participate in education and training programs, be an advocate for the university community we aspire to be, and to create a safe, inclusive and respectful culture for all. Our goal will always be to work toward preventing all instances of sexual misconduct at our university.”

– President Mark S. Schlissel

April 24, 2019 update

The University of Michigan is making changes to strengthen its efforts to prevent and address sexual and gender-based misconduct on its campuses. The changes follow examinations and discussions of best practices and two comprehensive reviews of the university’s related policies and procedures previously announced by President Schlissel.

In a message to the U-M community, President Schlissel announced changes and additional actions the university is taking to prevent sexual and gender-based misconduct and improve how we address this pressing problem for members.

The changes and actions include:

  • The university will develop an umbrella policy on sexual misconduct that applies to the entire university community – faculty, staff and students – as recommended by an expert external review. The external review concluded that we could improve the consistency of policies across the university and should update procedures accordingly. The university will seek feedback from students, faculty, and staff this fall to inform development of the updated policy and procedures.
  • The university will launch mandatory online training for all faculty and staff in May. This was recommended by the university’s Working Group on Faculty and Staff Sexual Misconduct.
  • As part of the university’s ongoing efforts to combat all forms of harassment, discrimination and sexual misconduct, resources available for the Ann Arbor Office for Institutional Equity will increase and it will report directly to the U-M Ann Arbor provost. The office is adding additional staff and is implementing a new database and case management system to streamline work.

Reports of comprehensive reviews

Working Group on Faculty and Staff Sexual Misconduct

A working group of U-M faculty and staff experts from all three campuses and Michigan Medicine examined how we might improve awareness, training, reporting and accountability regarding all forms of sexual misconduct, along with improving overall workplace culture.

External Expert Review

President Schlissel also commissioned outside experts at the law firm of Hogan, Marren, Babbo and Rose Ltd. to review U-M sexual misconduct policies and make any necessary recommendations. The President has charged a team of staff from all three campuses and Michigan Medicine with implementing recommendations from the external review.