External Avenues: Filing a Formal Complaint or Labor Grievance with a Campus Office
If you believe your rights as employees and/or students have been violated, you may wish to file a formal complaint or labor grievance against the party/ies in question. The Ombuds Office (linked below) and/or the trusted department member you contacted to initially discuss your concern can help you determine which office to contact, and also give you an overview of what to expect from these outlets (including timelines for possible action, procedure, and realistic outcomes). The Graduate Division has also published an overview of Graduate Student Rights and Formal Stages of Appeal that can be very helpful if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation (linked below). A main contact at this office is the Assistant Graduate Dean, Robert Hamm.
Graduate Students Rights and Formal Stages of Appeal
This site provides an overview of the procedures for various types of appeal if a graduate student believes they are not being treated fairly (including grade appeals, concerns with committee members, and grievances related to the various positions that graduate students hold within the university).
The Ombuds office provides confidential consultations to everyone in the campus community (faculty, students, staff, parents, others) about issues relating to workplace dynamics, interpersonal conflicts, academic concerns, policy questions, or other problems. They are often a first point of call when you have an issue on campus and wish to talk through possible resolutions or campus resources.
This site provides links to policy documents and staff members who can help with addressing workplace conduct related to non-academic employees. The website includes information about labor relations, and details about the university’s policy on abusive conduct in the workplace.
This document outlines the procedure for students reporting an incident of discrimination, harassment, or other type of policy violation. Note that it does not apply to grade appeals, unless the grade appeal is connected to a claim of discrimination or harassment.
Office of Title IX and Sexual Harassment Policy Compliance
The Title IX office is responsible for ensuring that UCSB’s community members fulfill their commitment to create an environment free from sexual harassment, discrimination, and sexual violence. On their website you can find the campus policies on sexual violence and discrimination, and also file a report with the Title IX office.
Office of Equal Opportunity and Discrimination Prevention
The Equal Opportunity & Discrimination Prevention Office (EODP) is primarily intended for staff and faculty: they oversee the University's compliance with federal and state laws and University policies and procedures regarding affirmative action, non-discrimination, and retaliation. On their website you can find information about diversity initiatives on campus, and you can contact their office to report incidents of bias and discrimination, including workplace discrimination.
This office adjudicates violations of the student code of conduct, both behavioral and academic. This website has links to the student code of conduct, and a link for submitting an incident report. The office also facilitates the campus’ Restorative Justice program, which seeks to address harmful incidents, co-create resolution agreements, and restore relationships.
Academic Senate Charges Officer
You can contact the Charges Officer of the Academic Senate to file a complaint against a faculty member who may have violated the Faculty Code of Conduct. Complaints can be filed directly, or with the assistance of a faculty member who can sometimes file a report on your behalf.
The following websites allow you to report incidents of bias, intolerance, and violations of the faculty code of conduct or federal and state laws.
This form is to be used to report violations of the Abusive Conduct in the workplace policy.
Complaint form for Violations of the Faculty Code of Conduct
This brief form allows you to report a violation of the faculty code of conduct (the code itself is provided in the “know your rights” section below). Your completed form would go to the Charges Officer of the Academic Senate (see above).
Office of Student Life: Bias Incident Reporting
On this page students can submit a report of bias within the university community. You can submit anonymously if you wish, and you can also submit reports for yourself, or on behalf of an impacted party.
Office of Equal Opportunity and Discrimination Prevention
On this page, individuals can report incidents of concerns from faculty and staff regarding behaviors involving discrimination in employment and/or in access to education that may constitute discrimination as covered by university policies.
University of California Systemwide Intolerance Report Form
On this page, faculty and staff can report incidents of bias, hate speech, hate crimes, graffiti/vandalism, intimidation, bullying or physical violence, incidents of a hostile climate, or other campus climate issues. This page is for the entire UC system: the report can be made anonymously or you can provide identifying details.
Whistleblower Hotline for Violations of Federal and State Laws
On this page UC community members can confidentially report suspected violations of federal and state laws. More information about the types of violations that can be reported through this outlet are found on the homepage.
Quick Links to Forms for Reporting Policy Violations on Campus
The following websites allow you to report incidents of bias, intolerance, and violations of the faculty code of conduct or federal and state laws.
This form is to be used to report violations of the Abusive Conduct in the workplace policy.
Complaint form for Violations of the Faculty Code of Conduct
This brief form allows you to report a violation of the faculty code of conduct (the code itself is provided in the “know your rights” section below). Your completed form would go to the Charges Officer of the Academic Senate (see above).
Office of Student Life: Bias Incident Reporting
On this page students can submit a report of bias within the university community. You can submit anonymously if you wish, and you can also submit reports for yourself, or on behalf of an impacted party.
Office of Equal Opportunity and Discrimination Prevention
On this page, individuals can report incidents of concerns from faculty and staff regarding behaviors involving discrimination in employment and/or in access to education that may constitute discrimination as covered by university policies.
University of California Systemwide Intolerance Report Form
On this page, faculty and staff can report incidents of bias, hate speech, hate crimes, graffiti/vandalism, intimidation, bullying or physical violence, incidents of a hostile climate, or other campus climate issues. This page is for the entire UC system: the report can be made anonymously or you can provide identifying details.
Whistleblower Hotline for Violations of Federal and State Laws
On this page UC community members can confidentially report suspected violations of federal and state laws. More information about the types of violations that can be reported through this outlet are found on the homepage.