About

About IEO

Questions? We can help.

Why We Exist

University students, faculty, and staff have the right to an educational and work environment free from discrimination and harassment in all its forms. In 2012, the OU Board of Regents created the Institutional Equity Office to promote and foster OU’s commitment to creating and maintaining this environment.

Our Role

Provide a Process

The Institutional Equity Office provides both formal and informal processes to address allegations of discrimination, harassment, and/or misconduct within OU’s education programs or activities.

Formal processes can include an impartial review of the allegations, an investigation, hearing, determination, and possible sanctions.
Informal processes can include an evaluation of the situation and possible solutions to remedy the concerns.

Give Support

Whether or not a formal complaint is filed, the university can offer supportive measures. These are free, non-disciplinary services designed to protect the safety and well-being of affected parties and to preserve their access to work or education. When requested, the IEO will review and determine what measures are available. Examples of supportive measures include:

Assistance in filing a complaint with the university and appropriate law enforcement agencies
No contact orders between affected parties
Change of class schedules and academic support
Alternate housing arrangements
Transportation arrangements and campus escorts
Referrals to counseling services or the Employee Assistance Program
Blocking emails
Other measures, as discussed

Facilitate Pregnancy/Pregnancy-Related Modifications

The Institutional Equity Office can provide reasonable pregnancy modifications to students to support them through pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related health conditions. Faculty and staff members should contact Human Resources to discuss protected medical leave and reasonable modifications based on their individual needs.

What We Are Not

A Law Enforcement Agency

The Institutional Equity Office is neither a law enforcement agency nor a criminal court. So, it does not handle allegations from the perspective of criminal law. It handles violations of OU policies that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct in academic programs, activities, and employment.

An Advocacy Organization

While this office is here to help and support, it is not an advocacy or counseling organization. It is an impartial office that exists to help all members of the OU community (including the complainant and respondent) navigate allegations of discrimination, harassment, or misconduct in order to restore or preserve equal access to the university environment.

What To Expect

Answers

You can contact the Institutional Equity Office for information only. You do not have to know for certain if an incident violated policies or if you want to file a formal complaint before you reach out. Office staff will listen to your story with respect and inform you of your options.

Support

You do not have to file a formal complaint to be entitled to supportive measures that protect your safety and well-being and restore or preserve your equal access to the university environment.

Next Steps

Visit the FAQ page to learn more, file a report, or contact the office directly at ieo@ou.edu.