Campus Climate Concerns
At Miami, we are committed to our obligation under Title VI to creating a campus free of discrimination and harassment. If you believe you're the victim of a campus climate-related incident, you are encouraged to report it and take advantage of available resources. Our priority is to offer existing resources to support impacted individuals.
Examples
Scenario #1
Zach is a sophomore taking BIO155. Alicia is Zach’s lab partner. Zach is having trouble understanding concepts in class, and he lashes out at Alicia one day for moving too quickly. Angry and upset, Alicia calls Zach an offensive word referring to his sexuality.
- Response - In Zach’s case, the Office of Equity and Equal Opportunity investigates and does not find the incident rises to the level of discrimination or harassment. The case is referred to the Dean of Students, who meets with Zach to provide support and identify educational opportunities for campus.
Scenario #2
Noah, a first-year Jewish student living in a residence hall, was returning from Pulley Diner when he entered the hall and saw the word “Jews,” written on a floor he doesn’t live on.
- Response - Since the responsible party is unknown, the Dean of Students or their designee will follow up with Noah and provide him with support and resources. An email will also be sent to the residence hall, informing residents of the incident. The meeting with Noah and the hall's communication will be documented.
Scenario #3
Jasper played on a Club Sports team for the past year and a half. After a short leave of absence due to a mental health-related matter, Jasper is back and ready to compete. But the club president questions Jasper’s “stability” and requires that he try out for the team again.
- Response - The Office of Equity and Equal Opportunity investigates and finds the incident rises to the level of discrimination. The case is referred to the Office of Community Standards and the formal disciplinary process begins.
Importance of Reporting
In the aftermath of reporting a campus climate concern, our priority is to offer existing resources to support impacted individuals.
Invitations to engage in a conversation and dialogue are voluntary and in the spirit of education and reflection. Reporting a campus climate concern is not a disciplinary process.
Reporting campus climate concerns helps us address incidents that erode Miamian’s trust and sense of belonging, ensures members of our community receive support and are connected to necessary resources, and provides a record of incidents, allowing us to track issues and identify patterns or trends.
Additional Resources
- Reports involving students are received by the Assistant Dean of Students.
- In the event that faculty/staff are involved, the Office of Transformational and Inclusive Excellence will connect the student with the Office of the Dean of Students for support and reach out to the faculty/staff involved.
- If a report is a crime or includes a possible policy violation, the matter will be referred to Title IX, Office of Equity and Equal Opportunity, Office of Community Standards, or MUPD.
- If a report is not a crime and does not include a possible policy violation, but includes a student, the case is referred to the Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS).
- If the reporting party has provided contact information and has requested contact, ODOS will email or call them to set up a meeting to discuss the report and/or to gather additional information.
- ODOS will also email or call harmed parties to set up a meeting to discuss options and available support services.
- ODOS will document and track incidents of bias to inform educational programs and report findings annually.
Miami takes all reports seriously. The information collected provides critical insight to inform educational efforts for Miami University.
Campus Resources
Students affected by a campus climate concern can seek guidance and emotional support through members of the Office of the Dean of Students.
The Office of the Dean of Students responds to reports involving students and provides support to impacted parties in obtaining resources and navigating options and next steps. To contact DOS, please call 513-529-1877 or email deanofstudents@MiamiOH.edu.
- Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion
- Student Counseling Service
- Office of Equity and Equal Opportunity
- Office of Transformational and Inclusive Excellence
- Miami University Police Department
Community Resources
Dean of Students
110 Warfield Hall, 451 E. Spring St.Oxford, OH 45056
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. deanofstudents@MiamiOH.edu 513-529-1877 Directions
