Mandatory Reporters

The OCRTIX and the University of Kansas is committed to being an institution that is free from harassment, discrimination, sexual misconduct, and related retaliation. To work to honor this commitment, The University of Kansas has a policy establishing and defining Mandatory Reporters.

Mandatory Reporters must report potential incidents of harassment, discrimination, sexual misconduct and related retaliation. All employees (including undergraduate, graduate, faculty, staff, post-docs, lecturers, affiliates, and more) at the University of Kansas, with few exceptions, are mandatory reporters and are required to report incidents of which they know, or have reason to believe, may have occurred.

Limited examples of incidents to report:

• A student shares information about discrimination or harassment, including sexual violence, with a faculty or staff member.
• A graduate student submits a journal entry disclosing an experience of childhood sexual violence/abuse. 
• A staff member is experiencing distress due to unwanted comments pertaining to a protected class (race, national origin, veteran status, age, religion, sexual orientation, etc.). 

OCRTIX serves anywhere the educational opportunity extends. Examples of locations to make reports for include: 

• On-campus.
• Study abroad trips.
• Professional conference attendance sponsored by KU. 
• Athletic events. 
• More. 

Exemptions from the mandatory reporting obligation outlined above are: 

• Health care providers and pastoral and professional counselors while acting in their official capacity. 
• CARE Services, who have staff designated to provide information about reporting options on a confidential basis. 
• The University Ombuds and Faculty Ombuds. 
• Faculty or Graduate Students who receive information about discrimination or sexual harassment, including sexual violence, while engaged in legitimate research practices towards publication or dissertation. 
• Information obtained in the course of administering a KU approved climate study. 

Employees who are exempt from reporting to the OCRTIX still have an obligation to exercise reasonable care to protect a foreseeable victim from danger and to make reports mandated by law. In addition, employees who are exempt from reporting requirements shall encourage individuals to report discrimination or harassment, including sexual violence, to the OCRTIX and other appropriate authorities. 

Please see the Mandatory Reporting policy for more information.  

Although you may be a mandatory reporter, you are not required to report your own incidents.

If you have experienced sexual misconduct and/or sexual violence, we recommend that you consider the following steps: 

*The following positions are not mandatory reporters and can keep your information confidential: 

• KU Campus Assistance, Resource, and Education Services (KU CARE Services) | 785-864-9255 | care@ku.edu 

• KU Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) | 785-864-2277 | caps.ku.edu 

• University Ombuds | 785-864-7261 | ombuds@ku.edu 

• Watkins Health Services | 785-864-9500 | whs-services@ku.edu | Patient Portal 

How do I report? 

You can report an incident of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, or retaliation with the OCRTIX using the online incident report form, by email at civilrights@ku.edu, by telephone at (785)-864-6414, or in person at our office. 

Include the following, to the extent known and available, in your report: 

• Name and contact information (ex. address, telephone, e-mail) for the complainant. The complainant is the person alleged to have experienced discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, or retaliation. 

• Name and contact information for the respondent(s). The respondent is the person alleged to have engaged in discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, or retaliation. 

• Names and contact information for any witnesses to the alleged violation(s). 

• Date(s), time(s), and location(s) of the alleged violation(s). 

• Nature of the alleged violation(s), i.e., disability discrimination, racial harassment, retaliation, etc. 

• Detailed description of the specific conduct that is the basis of the alleged violation(s). 

• Copies of any documents or other tangible items pertaining to the alleged violation(s). 

• Any other relevant information.