Reporting Options

Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC): Incidents of protected class harassment and discrimination (experiences of bias), sexual misconduct (sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, intimate partner abuse, stalking), and related retaliation can be reported to the OIEC. OIEC can address concerns of this nature when the person who perpetrated the behavior is affiliated with CU Boulder (student, faculty, or staff). OIEC can address concerns through a formal investigation OR a policy compliance meeting (which does not include an investigation, instead focuses on education and intervention to stop the behavior). In cases that go through the formal investigation and there is a finding of a policy violation OIEC will put sanctions in place through the university. OIEC’s process is separate from the criminal justice system and is an administrative process through the university. In some cases OIEC may need to make a limited report to the police if there are certain safety concerns. In addition to conducting investigations, OIEC can also provide safety and supportive measures including no contact orders, academic remedial measures, and more. Click here to learn more about OIEC's process and procedures.

To file a report you can contact OIEC directly at 303-492-2127, complete an online report with OIEC, or work with the Office of Victim Assistance to provide advocacy in the reporting process. If you are unsure about reporting, please contact OVA and we can talk through the OIEC process with you confidentially to assist you in your decision making process.

Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (SCCR): Incidents of assault, hazing, abusvie conduct, threats, harassment (non-protected class), and other offenses (not covered by OIEC) perpetrated by students can be reported to the SCCR. SCCR has an informal and formal resolution process and can put no contact orders in place. In cases of a formal process that a violation of the student code of conduct was found, SCCR will put in place sanctions through the university. Please go to the SCCR website to learn more about the SCCR process. To make a report to SCCR please contact SCCR directly at 303-492-5550, make an online reporto SCCR, or contact OVA for advocacy in the reporting process. In addition SCCR offers opportunities for conflict resolution and restorative justice. If you are unsure about reporting, please contact OVA and we can talk through the SCCR process with you confidentially to assist you in your decision making process.

* While a lawyer is not required to make a report to OIEC or SCCR, you have the right to seek legal advice or representation at any time.

*The victim/ survivor can have an advocate from the Office of Victim Assistance or another accompanying support person present during meetings with OIEC or SCCR.

You have options in reporting to the police. To report a crime in progress or if you are in immediate danger, call 911.  Crimes that have already happened can be reported to the police department where the crime occurred. Jurisdiction/the location of where the crime occured will determine which police department will investigate/respond. Crimes that occured on-campus can be reported to the University of Colorado Boulder Police Department, CUPD at 303-492-6666. Crimes that occured off-campus in the City of Boulder can be reported to the Boulder Police Department at 303-441-3333. 

The reporting process may look differently depending on what type of crime is reported. Often the first step includes talking to a police officer, who may take a report of what occured.  This could result in an informational report, an investigation, and/or a suspect being arrested.

• An informational report could be taken if there is not enough evidence to determine that a crime has occurred. When reporting a crime to CUPD, you may have a choice whether you move forward with an investigation. There are certain circumstances in which this may not be possible. For example, in Colorado a suspect must be arrested for a crime related to domestic violence if there is enough evidence for police to determine that a crime occurred. If you are unsure if your report will require an investigation or arrest, please contact OVA to speak with a confidential advocate counselor to assist in your decision-making process.
• An investigation can include collecting evidence, taking witness statements, and interviews with the victim. If a suspect is arrested, it is the role of the District Attorney’s office to determine if charges will be filed. If charges are filed the suspect will be known as the defendant, and their case will then be tried in court.

The Victim Rights Act (VRA) in Colorado was created to ensure that crime victims are treated with fairness, respect, dignity and that they are free from intimidation, harassment, and abuse. For crimes covered by the VRA, this includes how you are to be informed and included in this process. Consult the police in your jurisdiction, the Boulder County DA Victim/Witness Unit (303-441-3700) if the crime occurred in Boulder County, or the Office of Victim Assistance for more information.

Throughout a reporting process you can request to have an advocate present with you. In addition if charges are filed, there are certain standards (Victims Rights) about how you are to be informed and included in this process. Consult the police in your jurisdiction, the Boulder County DA (303-441-3700) covers Boulder County courts, the CU police department takes reports of crimes on campus, or the Office of Victim Assistance for more information. If you are unsure about reporting to the police, please contact OVA and we can talk through the reporting process with you confidentially to assist you in your decision making process.

* While a lawyer is not required to participate in the criminal justice reporting process, you have the right to seek legal advice or representation at any time.  If a suspect is arrested and charges are filed, the District Attorney’s office will prosecute the suspect on behalf of the state of Colorado.

Much of the policy that governs behavior inside the university derives from various Federal and State laws, so you may decide to seek recourse against an individual or organization under those laws. In the case of Federal law, the Department of Education, the Office for Civil Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission are among the Federal agencies responsible for enforcing these laws.

In bringing a private civil case against someone, you have the right to contact a lawyer with expertise in that area of law and seek legal advice at anytime.

Click here to share with the Office of Victim Assistance (OVA). This submission will only be seen by a confidential advocate counselor at OVA. This submission does not notify the university and no investigative action will be taken. If you would like an OVA confidential advocate counselor to contact you please include your contact information and an OVA confidential advocate counselor will outreach to you directly. OVA is here to be a resource to you.

There are other entities active on and around campus that have their own standards of behavior and sanctioning processes, like ROTC, and fraternities or sororities. The Office of Victim Assistance can assist you in assessing and interacting with these systems as well.