Academic Affairs Department Chair Notes - Message #4

By Anne Mitchell, Director, Equity Official, Deputy Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Coordinator, IUPUI Office of Equal Opportunity

As a department chair, you know that faculty, staff, and students sometimes have concerns that need to be looked into and addressed. When that concern is related to discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct, it is required that the matter is referred to the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO)—the office that handles concerns when a faculty or staff member is accused).

Independent of whether the concern is brought to our attention through leadership or the employee themselves, we immediately assign that concern to an Equity Specialist / Investigator (currently: Karloa Stevens, Ginger Arvin, Keisha Green). The Equity Specialist will (1) reach out to the reporter and the individual who was targeted by the alleged inappropriate behavior and (2) determine whether the concern, if true, would rise to a violation of IU’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy. If so, the Equity Specialist / Investigator will initiate a formal investigation into the allegations, per the policy’s required procedures. If not, the Equity Specialist / Investigator will work with the parties to better understand what could help the concern, which oftentimes includes you, as the department chair or supervisor, working with us toward a solution.

When a formal investigation is initiated, all parties will receive formal written notice. As a department chair, please know that going through the OEO formal investigation process can be difficult. It is important to be able to provide faculty and staff in your unit support and resources, while remaining neutral. Sometimes, gossip about the investigation may work its way through the department and as the chair, you may need to help ensure that individuals know what is appropriate and inappropriate to discuss.

Please know you can always reach out to OEO at ude[dot]iupui[at]iupuioeo or 317-274-2306 with questions or concerns as they arise during the process. The most important part to remember is not to make judgments, including any employment related decision, until the process is completed. 

How common do you think it is, in your field or discipline, to ask for diversity statements from faculty applicants?

Please email feedback to etagelppA lehcaR.

COVID-19: Currently, there is no mandate at IUPUI for a COVID-19 vaccine for a return to work. We do ask though that everyone report their vaccine status via this reporting form.

We anticipate being back at full capacity for classrooms but also wearing masks in the fall. The IUPUI academic calendar provides key dates for campus holidays, fall break, etc. If you or your faculty have concerns about being physically on campus in the fall because of an underlying condition or an inability to take the vaccine, use this this portal to submit accommodation requests.

• Next month, we will discuss support for adjunct faculty.

Reminder

• Third year reviews: Technically these are due (in the Office of Academic Affairs' school folders accessible via IUOffice 365 > OneDrive > Shared) on May 1st, but don’t worry about that deadline. They need to be completed sometime in May. Please DO include the candidate’s statement and CV, along with the review letters (department, school, chair, dean).
  

• Faculty Affairs Guidance materials shared via IU Office 365: A repository of helpful information including how-to’s, when-to’s, and where-to’s.
  
• New Faculty Notes: Just-in-time monthly guidance to new faculty who cycle through New Faculty Orientation each year.
  
• Hiring Best Practices
  
• The Forum Network: An integrated coordinating structure that supports faculty collaboration and creativity.
  
• Faculty Crossing: A technology-rich collaboration space for faculty and teaching staff of all appointments. Part workroom, part café, the space provides a welcoming environment that promotes creativity and innovation. This space will reopen in the fall.