Policy Statement

The University of Rhode Island (also “University”) is committed to maintaining an educational and working environment free from discrimination, harassment, and sexual violence. Consistent with this commitment, the University prohibits all forms of illegal discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct in all University programs and activities. The University prohibits students, employees, Affiliates, volunteers, visitors, service recipients, program participants, and contractors (collectively, “Covered Individuals”) from engaging in sexual misconduct or illegal discrimination (including discriminatory harassment) based on an individual’s protected status, including:

The University prohibits Covered Individuals from engaging in acts of retaliation for another’s making a complaint of discrimination or cooperating in an investigation of discrimination.

This prohibition applies to all programs and activities—including admissions, federally funded programs, and all employment actions including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, and benefits. The University will investigate, to the full extent possible, all complaints made in good faith under this policy that allege the occurrence of behavior or actions by Covered Individuals that might constitute conduct prohibited by this policy, and, when it is determined that prohibited conduct has occurred, take appropriate action, as warranted, to appropriately sanction the responsible individuals, prevent the recurrence of prohibited conduct, and remedy its effects.

Reporting Discrimination or Harassment at the University of Rhode Island
Complaints involving prohibited discrimination, including harassment or retaliation, against a group or class of individuals that reflects an apparent pattern or practice of discrimination will be investigated and addressed in accordance with the  Policy on Nondiscrimination and the Policy on Sexual Misconduct. Specific information regarding reporting procedures can be found in the Procedures accompanying the Policy on Nondiscrimination and the Policy on Sexual Misconduct. 

Where should I file a complaint of discrimination or harassment?

Reporting Obligations: Sexual Misconduct or Discrimination on the Basis of Sex
The Title IX Coordinator will accept complaints of sexual misconduct or discrimination on the basis of sex, including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Policy on Sexual Misconduct and the Procedures on Sexual Misconduct outline reporting obligations. For additional information, contact the Title IX Coordinator.

Title IX Coordinator
104 Carlotti Administration Building
75 Lower College Road
Kingston, RI 02881
Phone: 401-874-5780
Email: emily.douglas@uri.edu

Reporting Obligations: All Other Discrimination and Harassment 
All other types of discrimination or harassment in violation of the  Policy on Nondiscrimination, such as discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, veteran, age, religion, or other protected category (excluding sex), must be reported to the Office of Equal Opportunity, using the Civil Rights Complaint Form.

Office of Equal Opportunity
201 Carlotti Administration Building
75 Lower College Road
Kingston, RI 02881
Phone: 401-874-4929
Email: equalopportunity-group@uri.edu

Failure to report in accordance with the Policy on Nondiscrimination and the Policy on Sexual Misconduct may be grounds for discipline, up to and including termination.

What is a civil right?
A civil right is an enforceable right or privilege, which if interfered with by another gives rise to an action for injury. Discrimination occurs when the civil rights of an individual are denied or interfered with because of the individual’s membership in a particular protected class.

What is discrimination?
Discrimination prohibited under the Policy on Nondiscrimination is defined as treating a person differently because of their membership in a protected class (or a perception that the person is a member of a protected class) in matters of admissions, employment, housing, services, or any other educational programs or activities of the University.

What is disparate treatment discrimination?
Disparate treatment discrimination occurs when there has been an adverse impact on the individual’s work or educational environment, individuals outside of the protected class have received more favorable treatment, and there is no legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for the action.

What is disparate impact discrimination?
Disparate impact discrimination occurs when a university’s policy or practice has a disproportionately negative effect on members of a protected class even though the policy or practice is nondiscriminatory on its face, i.e., any discrimination is unintentional but still results in adverse impact.

What is discriminatory harassment?
Discriminatory Harassment, which is a form of discrimination, is defined as verbal or physical conduct (including conduct using digital technology) directed toward an individual because of their membership in a protected class (or a perception that the person is a member of a protected class) that has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with the individual’s educational or work performance, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or academic environment. 

A person’s subjective belief that behavior is intimidating, hostile, or offensive does not make that behavior harassment. The behavior must create a hostile environment from both a subjective and objective perspective and must be sufficiently severe or pervasive that it alters the conditions of employment or unreasonably interferes with, limits, or deprives a member of the community of the ability to participate in or to receive benefits, services, or opportunities from the University’s education or employment programs and/or activities.

What is a hostile environment?
In determining whether a hostile environment exists, the University examines the totality of the circumstances, including context, nature, scope, frequency, duration, and location of incidents as well as the relationships of the persons involved. Examples of harassment can include offensive jokes, slurs, name-calling, intimidation, ridicule, or mockery, or displaying or circulating offensive objects and pictures that are based on a protected class.