Reporting Process

When you report an incident, IU is ready to respond

Indiana University strives to create a community where people from all backgrounds feel safe, welcomed, and valued equally.

But we can only do it with the support of every IU student, faculty, and staff member.

As a part of the IU community, we count on each other to report incidents. Your report will help IU prevent and respond to student on student incidents. 

Call 911 if you or someone you know is in immediate danger.

Report incidents you experience or witness on your campus. Your report is essential because it enables IU to respond, support those involved, and take preventative measures.

You can report anonymously by submitting an incident report online. You can also report an incident by contacting a campus office.

If you choose to identify yourself, you will be contacted within two business days of submitting a report. If you choose to remain anonymous, the university will follow up as reasonably feasible based on the information provided.

Report an incident

Note: Reporting an incident does not necessarily mean you have to participate or move forward with a complaint under the university’s procedures. If you request that no action be taken, IU will weigh this request against its duty to maintain a safe community.

Non-retaliation provision

Retaliation against anyone who has reported an incident, provided information, or participated in a university investigation in response to a reported incident is prohibited by the university and will not be tolerated. The university will take steps to prevent retaliation, and will impose sanctions on anyone or any group who is found to have engaged in retaliation in violation of this policy. Concerns about potential retaliation can also be reported here.

A trained campus representative will:

  • Review the report
  • Identify if there is an immediate emergency, if a criminal offense occurred, or if other university/campus partners are to be notified
  • Gather other preliminary information
  • Offer the complainant and witnesses resources and support
  • Assist the complainant in contacting local law enforcement if desired
  • Determine if the complainant wants to move forward with an investigation
  • In appropriate cases where facts are not in dispute, the respondent accepts responsibility, a resolution may be issued, with the consent of both the complainant and respondent

Many times the complainant wants a university official to be aware of a situation of student misconduct, but does not want to move forward with a formal investigation. And that is ok. In most situations the university is able to honor the complainants request. However, there are rare situations in which the nature of the incident or information known does require the university to proceed to an investigation. In these situations the complainant can chose how involved they are in the process.  

When the complainant or university chose to move forward with student misconduct procedures, an investigative officer will be assigned to handle the case.

Incidents involving faculty and staff should be reported to the Office of Institutional Equity.

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Key terms

Complainant: An individual who comes forward to report they’ve experienced an incident of discrimination, harassment, hate, or retaliation against or by a member of the university community or a third party.

In certain circumstances, if the university has determined it is necessary to move forward with a case, the university may serve as the complainant when the alleged victim does not wish to participate.

Respondent: A member of the university who is charged with one or more acts of discrimination, harassment, hate, or retaliation.