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There may come a time in your college career when you feel that you have been treated unfairly or that your rights have been violated. You might be intimidated by the very thought of taking action in a large setting like UCSB, where your support system often consists of people whom you've never met. It is important for you to know that there are people on this campus in positions that have been established specifically to assist students who have complaints.

If you have taken the necessary steps to deal with a problem on your own, and you still feel as if you are being treated unfairly, then it is time to take the problem to someone who can help you. If you already have an established support system, by all means utilize it. If not, you can begin the process of problem resolution in some of the places that follow. Grievances may be filed against faculty, staff, administrators, or other students. UCSB students are encouraged to take action if they feel they have been discriminated against in any way: if a grade appears to have been assigned on the basis of something other than performance in a course; if other students appear to be cheating on exams or papers; if it appears that you or someone you know is being treated differently on the basis of ethnicity, cultural background, or sexual orientation. Even if you don't want to lodge a formal complaint, you are still encouraged to discuss options with someone who can help.

Now that you are "on your own," it is your responsibility to watch over your academic, social, and physical well-being. Just as no one at UCSB is going to keep track of deadlines, final exams, and overdue library books for you, no one can safeguard your rights the way that you can. Racial and sexual orientation discrimination and sexual harassment can be subtle; if something feels wrong to you, or you are uncomfortable in any way in your dealings with faculty, staff, administrators, or other students, help yourself by seeking assistance from any of the following people or resources.

Non-Discrimination Policy

It is the policy of the University not to engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with the University of California on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or status as a covered veteran (special disabled veteran, Vietnam era veteran, or any other veteran who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized). This policy applies to all employment practices, including recruitment, selection, promotion, transfer, merit increase, salary, training and development, demotion, and separation. This policy is intended to be consistent with the provisions of applicable State and Federal laws and University policies. The University also prohibits sexual harassment. This non-discrimination policy also covers admission, access, and treatment in University programs and activities. Members of the UCSB staff are available to answer students' questions about non-discrimination policies and procedures. Information and copies of the grievance procedures are available from the campus offices listed on this page. For further information concerning student grievance procedures, refer to the General Catalog.

Discrimination

Discrimination refers to any act based on prejudice that is directed toward a person. In addition to protecting you from exclusion from any University activity or job, it is the intent of the University that you will be protected from intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or learning environments. Of course, it is expected that if you find yourself in such an objectionable situation that you will speak up immediately to the offender or person in charge, but if you need additional help you can get assistance from the people listed in this section.

Contested Grades or Complaints Against an Instructor

Any student who believes that a grade was assigned based on criteria other than course performance may challenge that grade using Academic Senate Regulations A25 and A10. The full text of Senate Regulations A25 and A10 can be found in the appendix of the UCSB General Catalog. Students may have grievances not related to grades, sexual harassment, or racial prejudice. If the student is unable to resolve the issue with the instructor, the student should report the incident immediately to the department chairperson, or should seek assistance from one of the people listed here.

Complaints Against Non-Instructional Personnel

The procedure for resolving grievances against non-instructional personnel involves reporting the incident to the offending party's immediate supervisor or seeking assistance from one of the offices listed in this section.

Ombuds Office

The Ombuds Office is a confidential, neutral, informal, and independent resource for dispute resolution that serves all members of the UCSB community. The Office assists those who seek guidance with the resolution of academic or administrative issues and disputes. Discussing an issue with the Office does not constitute formal notice to the university, as it is a safe, confidential, and impartial place to express concerns. The Office offers confidential insight, mediation, and consultation. Girvetz 1205-K; 893-3285; www.ombuds.ucsb.edu

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is a form of sexual discrimination and is both illegal and prohibited by the University. Sexual harassment can include: persistent and offensive personal jokes and comments; unwanted physical contact such as patting, pinching, or hugging; constant efforts to change a professional student-teacher relationship into an unwanted romantic relationship; or explicit requests for sexual favors. The following offices are available to assist you if you experience sexual harassment or have questions about the definition, policy, and grievance procedures: Women's Center, 893-3778; Ombuds, 893-3285; EOP, 893-3720; and Paula Rudolph, the Sexual Harassment Complaint Resolution Officer/ Title IX Coordinator, Cheadle Hall 2121; 893-2546.

Campus Regulations

Campus Regulations Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students address the rights and responsibilities of members of the University and provide campuswide standards of conduct. UCSB students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the University's function as an educational institution. Students and registered campus organizations are subject to University discipline for conduct that interferes with University teaching, research, or administrative activities and for conduct that adversely affects either themselves or other members of the academic community. Students are expected to comply with all local, state, and federal laws. The complete text of Campus Regulations can be found at www.sa.ucsb.edu/regulations. The web site contains information on academic and non-academic student conduct; campus organizations; campus activities; university facilities; student government; student elections; disciplinary bodies and procedures; violations and sanctions; student rights; and student grievance procedures.

Extension of Jurisdiction

Campus Regulations apply to the off-campus residence halls (Tropicana Gardens and Fontainebleu) and some of the regulations (sexual assault, hate incidents, sexual harassment, stalking and hazing) apply to UCSB students anywhere they may happen to be when they commit these offenses.

Hate Incidents Response Coordinator

The campus Hate Incidents Response Coordinator is a Student Life staff member charged with developing and implementing a response protocol for hate and bias related incidents and hate crimes involving the UCSB community. The coordinator works with other campus offices to respond to hate incidents and crimes. If you, or someone you care about, is the victim of a hate crime or incident, the Hate Incidents Response Coordinator will explain your options and will work with you and other members of the UCSB community to respond in a way that protects the rights and options of the victim(s) and promotes a safe learning environment for all UCSB community members. The Hate Incident Response Coordinator may also arrange programming on the nature of hate incidents and hate crimes, state and federal hate crimes law and policy and campus free speech issues.

The Legal Resource Center

This service provides free legal consultation to all UCSB undergraduate and graduate students. Legal advice is given on all types of landlord/tenant matters and in the fields of criminal, family, consumer, contract, and personal injury law. The staff includes a local attorney. UCen 2537A; 893-4246.

Academic Conduct/Cheating

Joseph Navarro, Associate Dean of Students
SRB second floor; 893-4467

Affirmative Action Office

Joseph I. Castro, Executive Director
1509 South Hall; 893-2701

Americans with Disabilities Act

Farfalla Borah, Coordinator Cheadle Hall 4129; 893-2184

Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)

Yolanda Garcia, Executive Director
SRB second Floor, Room 110; 893-3720

Disabled Students Program

Gary White, Director
SRB second floor; 893-2668 V/TDD

Conduct Educator/Hate Incidents Response Coordinator

Angie Tozier
Office of Student Life, SRB second floor; 893-4569

Office of the Omsbuds

Judy Guillermo-Newton, Campus Ombuds
Girvetz 1205K, 893-3285

Student Affairs

Allyn Fleming or Michael Young
Cheadle Hall 5203B; 893-3651

Resource Center for Sexual & Gender Diversity

Kyle Richards, Director
SRB third floor; 893-5846

Sexual Harassment Complaint Resolution Officer/Title IX Coordinator

Paula Rudolph
Cheadle Hall 2121; 893-2546

Women's Center

Deidre Acker, Director
SRB first floor; 893-3778