Experienced, witnessed, or have information about a bias incident?
We encourage you to report bias incidents affecting University community members. Click on the Pitt Concern Connection link below to report your concern, ask a question, or check the status of your submission.
Want to Learn More Before Reporting?
- Video: Reporting to Title IX
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This important video is based on experiences shared by students. Learn about how to contact the Title IX team, meet with a coordinator, and see how the team links a survivor to the resources they need. It also demonstrates the role of required reporting through the Responsible Employee Program.
- A Visual Aid of the Reporting Process
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View a flow chart of the reporting process for students. This helpful chart illustrates ways to report a bias incident, as well as how the process is structured from incident to report to resolution.
- What to Expect When Reporting
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Before Reporting
Reporting bias incidents of harassment and discrimination—including incidents of sexual misconduct—is an individual decision. While the University encourages parties to report misconduct, we recognize that making a report may not be the right decision for everyone. Beyond direct reporting, various options for reporting are available for parties to consider regarding Anonymous Reporting, Confidentiality, and Retaliation.
The Office of Civil Rights and Title IX can talk with any person affected by a bias incident about various reporting options. Meeting with a staff member from the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX does not mean you must file a formal complaint or report to another entity, including law enforcement agencies.
After Reporting
All reports will be reviewed by staff in the Office of Civil Rights &Title IX. Once you have submitted a report, if you provided contact information, a staff member will follow-up with you and may provide referrals to support resources. Reports will be reviewed during University business hours—Monday-Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm. Reports received after business hours will generally be reviewed during the next business day.
Because the University may have an obligation to address certain reports, we cannot guarantee complete confidentiality where it would conflict with the University’s obligation to investigate meaningfully or, where warranted, take corrective action. Regardless of the situation, personal information will generally only be shared with individuals on a need-to-know basis, in compliance with University policy. In addition, retaliation for filing a bias incident report is strictly prohibited.
Meeting with Our Office
If you have made a bias incident report or have been identified as someone having experienced a bias incident, it is each party’s decision to participate in a meeting with our office. Our office will attempt to contact you to discuss your personal needs, make appropriate referrals to campus and community resources, and can discuss available interim measures, accommodations, and processes for resolution.
Subject Literature
- Anonymous Reporting, Confidentiality, and Retaliation
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Anonymous Reporting
A Reporting Party has the discretion to exclude personally identifiable information, such as their name and contact information, in the form. However, please be advised, without presented contact information, we are unable to provide follow-up, and the University’s options for response may be limited.
Confidentiality
Because the University may have an obligation to address certain reports, we cannot guarantee complete confidentiality where it would conflict with the University’s obligation to investigate meaningfully or, where warranted, take corrective action. Regardless of the situation, personal information will generally only be shared with individuals on a need-to-know basis, in compliance with University policy.
Retaliation
Retaliation is strictly prohibited at the University, as outlined in the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX’s Policies, Procedures, and Practices. Retaliation may be experienced by an individual, whether actual or perceived, for having made a bias incident report to our office, participated in services or processes provided by our office, and/or supported a party utilizing services or processes provided by our office.
Subject Literature
Responsible Employee Program and Reporting
A “Responsible Employee” is a University employee who has the duty to report incidents of sexual violence or other sexual misconduct, or who a University community member could reasonably believe has this duty. Learn about required reporting, Responsible Employee obligations, and how to make a report.