Report Discrimination and/or Harassment
Reporting discrimination or harassment can be difficult, and you may experience a range of emotions when considering whether or not to report such conduct. You may think it will be too much of a hassle to report, or think that the conduct wasn’t serious enough to report. You may worry that you’ll experience retaliation as a result of filing a report.
However, if you or someone you know feel you have been a victim of discrimination and/or harassment at Tufts, we strongly encourage you to report the incident promptly so that OEO can address the incident as soon as possible. When in doubt, reach out!
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Reporting Options
At Tufts, you have options for reporting discrimination and/or harassment. Any or all of these options are available to Tufts community members and can be used regardless of whether you choose a formal or informal path forward.
Contact OEO Directly
You can contact us right here at the OEO, where we can provide information about your options for next steps, including how and whether to choose a formal or informal process. We can also connect you with support and resources. For students, we can provide things like housing changes, academic support, and counseling, and for employees we can provide other interim measures.
File a report via Ethicspoint
EthicsPoint is a third party secure web tool that allows you to anonymously or confidentially report sexual misconduct, discrimination or harassment.
When you report via Ethicspoint, OEO staff will use the Ethicspoint message function to anonymously communicate with you to offer support, answer questions, request or share information, and provide status updates. Just remember to keep the key code the system assigns to you after you submit so that you can check back on the progress of your report.
Talk to a OEO Liaison
OEO Liaisons are specially trained staff from different schools within Tufts University. All OEO liaisons are available to receive reports from students, faculty, staff, patients, visitors and other community members regarding any type of discrimination or harassment, including sexual misconduct. OEO Liaisons can also provide information regarding support, resources and disciplinary options within the University. OEO Liaisons direct the information they receive to OEO and the Title IX Coordinator at OEO.
Additional Reporting Options for Students
In addition to contacting OEO, Ethicspoint, or an OEO Liaison, students have several additional options for reporting.
You can contact Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) to report incidents of discrimination and/or harassment. The TUPD can do things like help you file a criminal complaint, provide transportation to the hospital or to court, discuss a No Trespass Order and help support court-ordered restraining orders. Contact TUPD.
You can also submit an educational/academic complaint with the DOE at:
Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
5 Post Office Square
Eighth Floor
Boston, MA 02109-3921
617-289-0111
The DOE and the OCR prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, pregnancy status, age and retaliation for filing or participating in a complaint on any of the above. While OCR complaints should generally be filed within 180 days of the last date of the alleged discrimination, OCR may extend this filing deadline in a variety of circumstances.
Additional Reporting Options for Faculty and Staff
Any employee in a work environment with six or more employees can file a complaint with the MCAD.
John McCormack Building
One Ashburton Place
Sixth Floor, Room 601
Boston, MA 02108
617-994-6000
Worcester City Hall
455 Main Street
Room 101
Worcester, MA 01608
508-799-8010
MCAD prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, age, criminal record (applications only), disability, retaliation, sexual harassment, sexual orientation, a transgender identity, genetics, military status and retaliation for filing or participating in a complaint on any of the above. The statute of limitations for filing a complaint is 300 days from the last date of discrimination.
The EEOC prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability and retaliation for filing or participating in a complaint on any of the above.
JFK Federal Building
475 Government Center
Boston, MA 02203
800-669-4000
The EEOC prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, retaliation and national origin. The statute of limitations for filing a complaint is 300 days from the last date of discrimination.
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Tufts Non-Discrimination Statement
Tufts is enriched by the many experiences and perspectives each individual member brings to our community. Tufts does not discriminate in admissions, employment, or in any of its educational programs or activities on the basis of race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture, hair type, hair length and protective hairstyles* ), color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion, disability, sex or gender (including pregnancy, sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct including acts of sexual violence such as rape, sexual assault, stalking, sexual exploitation, sexual exploitation and coercion, relationship/intimate partner violence and domestic violence), gender identity and/or expression (including a transgender identity), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, genetic information, the intersection of these identities or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law. Retaliation is also prohibited. Tufts will comply with state and federal laws such as M.G.L. c. 151B, Title IX and its supporting regulations, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment and Rights Act, Executive Order 11246 and other similar laws that prohibit discrimination, all as amended. Tufts is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. Access the Tufts Non-Discrimination Policy.