Sexual Misconduct Reference Check Program

The University of Colorado Boulder is dedicated to supporting an environment in which students, staff, and faculty can fully participate in the campus community, while free from gender-based harassment, sexual harassment, and other sexual misconduct, and where the institution does not tolerate retaliation for reporting such misconduct or participating in the process to address it. These principles address sexual misconduct in all forms, including sexual and gender-based harassment and related retaliation.

As part of the hiring process for all positions on the University of Colorado Boulder campus, final candidates will be asked to affirm that they have not been found in violation of a sexual misconduct policy at any institution, company, or organization that they have worked or volunteered at. This affirmation will be obtained in conjunction with signing the offer letter. 

If a final candidate has had a prior violation of a sexual misconduct policy at any institution, company, or organization that they have worked or volunteered at, they will be required to disclose the violation in lieu of signing the offer letter. In making the disclosure, the candidate may be required to sign an authorization form to authorize collection of additional information from the institution, company, or organization where the violation occured.  Any finalist who refuses to sign the authorization form will be removed from further consideration, the offer will be rescinded, and the department can proceed with evaluating their next candidate.

Campus Human Resources, the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance, University Counsel, the Appointing Authority, and other relevant campus leaders will evaluate the specific details of the violation and determine if the hire can proceed or if the offer should be rescinded. 

This reference check is separate from standard reference checks and background checks required as part of the campus background check policy. Failure to disclose a violation pursuant to this process can result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

The following language will be included in all job postings:

As part of the University of Colorado Boulder’s deep commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, the campus has implemented a sexual misconduct reference check program intended to identify and review information about a candidate's conduct at their previous institutions or organizations, specifically related to sexual misconduct  – before finalizing a hire. 

The following language will be included in all offer letters:

By signing this offer letter, you are affirming that you have not been found in violation of a sexual misconduct policy at any institution, company, or organization that you have worked or volunteered at. Note: If you have been found in violation of a sexual misconduct policy, you should not sign this offer letter at this time and should instead contact recruiting@colorado.edu to disclose the nature of the violation; failure to disclose the violation may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. Additional information on why we are requesting this information and how the information will be evaluated can be found on our sexual misconduct reference check program website.