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

Harvard University Conduct Policies and Procedures

Harvard University is committed to the principles of equal opportunity in education and employment and cultivating a community that is open, welcoming, and inclusive, and that supports all community members in pursuit of the University’s mission of learning, teaching, research, and discovery.  Discrimination, bullying, hostile and abusive behavior, and power-based harassment directly threaten community members’ ability to freely exchange ideas and pursue their educational and professional goals. Such behaviors, as defined in University policies, are prohibited at Harvard. Review the University Policies and Procedures.

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 Faculty of Arts and Sciences (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 Office for Community Support, Non-Discrimination, Rights and Responsibilities (CSNDR) website.

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

FAS Professional Conduct Policy

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 Campus and Community

The FAS Office of Campus and Community 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 Community and Campus Life

Harvard Office Community and Campus Life (CCL) 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 Community Support, Non-Discrimination, Rights and Responsibilities

The Office for Community Support, Non-Discrimination, Rights and Responsibilities (CSNDR) works with the Harvard community to foster an environment free from discrimination, interpersonal violence, and the impacts of such harm.