Non-Discrimination, Anti-Bullying, & Other Professional Conduct Policies

Effective September 1, 2023, the University released new and amended University policies and guidelines on non-discrimination and anti-bullying. The updated policies aim to foster a community built on mutual respect and trust while protecting academic freedom, reasoned dissent, and legitimate pedagogical and employment-related feedback.

The FAS fully adopts the University policies and procedures on non-discrimination and anti-bullying. In addition, all FAS community members are expected to abide by the supplemental professional conduct policies provided below. You can view additional resources on the Harvard University Office for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, & Belonging Community Conduct webpage.

Please be aware that the policies outlined on this page are distinct from FAS’s Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment policies.

FAS Professional Conduct Policy

Faculty, Researchers, and Teaching Assistants

• FAS Appointment and Promotion Handbook

Staff

• FAS staff policies
• University-wide policies
• Staff Personnel manual
• Union contracts

Harvard College Students

• Harvard College Student Handbook

Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Students

• Discrimination and Harassment Policy
• Personal and Professional Conduct Policy

Division of Continuing Education Students

• Harvard Summer School Student Handbook
• Harvard Extension School information for Enrolled Students

Local Designated Resources

Local Designated Resources (LDRs) serve as a resource for receiving reports and complaints, directing community members to resources, and providing information on supportive measures.  A full list of University LDRs is also available online.

Appropriate Officials

Whenever a formal complaint of discrimination or bullying is investigated in accordance with the University’s non-discrimination and anti-bullying policies and procedures, and those procedures result in a finding that a policy violation has occurred, then sanctions or remedial measures will be determined by the FAS Appropriate Official or designee(s), as set forth in those procedures. The FAS Appropriate Official or designee(s) must accept the finding of a policy violation as final and non-reviewable. The only opportunity to appeal the determination of a policy violation is provided within the University’s non-discrimination and anti-bullying policies and procedures.  Decisions about sanctions and remedial measures are final and cannot be appealed.

For the FAS, the following individuals have been designated as Appropriate Officials, who serve as the final authority to issue any sanctions under the University’s non-discrimination and anti-bullying policies.

Additional Resources

FAS Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

The FAS EDIB is responsible for conceiving, developing, and overseeing strategies to advance and support equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging for all constituencies (students, faculty, staff, academic, and administrative units) across the FAS.

Harvard Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard EDIB works with stakeholders and partners across the University to guide Harvard’s culture toward inclusive excellence.

Harvard Ombuds Office

The Harvard Ombuds Office is a confidential resource available to anyone from Harvard’s community. A discussion with an Ombuds can help a visitor voice concerns, clarify goals and consider options so that they can make their own best decisions about next steps. Any issue affecting one’s work or studies may be brought to an Ombuds.

Office for Gender Equity

The Office for Gender Equity (OGE) empowers and supports the Harvard community to advance a climate of gender equity and inclusion through evidence-based educational initiatives, excellence in research and practice, and delivery of direct services.