Procedure:     Harassment Based on Race/Ethnicity or National Origin: Informal Report and Resolution Process
Department:    Academic and Student Affairs
Contact:          Dennis Carr, 541-463-5585         carrd@lanecc.edu

Purpose

The informal process is designed to resolve unwritten reports of harassment based on race/ethnicity or national origin short of complaints, investigation and disciplinary action.  Where possible, it is also meant to educate the college community about such harassment by working directly and confidentially with the parties involved.

Trained Contact Persons

A list of trained contact persons can be obtained from the office of the vice president Academic and Student Affairs, Human Resources, the Women's Center, the Counseling Center, the Multicultural Center or the ASLCC office by phone or in person.

Record Keeping

The only college record that will be kept of an informal unwritten report will be by type of incident, department and the relationship of those involved.  A Race/Ethnicity/National Origin Harassment Incident Report that summarizes all informal reports and formal complaints will be forwarded to the president, vice presidents and department managers on a periodic basis.  No information that would identify the parties involved will be included in this report.

How to Make and Resolve an Informal Report of Harassment based on Race/Ethnicity or National Origin

Step 1:  Discuss the incident with someone.

If you feel you have been harassed, you should initially discuss the incident with someone trained in harassment procedures who will provide a supportive, receptive and confidential environment for your concern.  Discussion of the incident(s) with a trained contact person can be arranged at a time and place on campus that is convenient for you.  See Trained Contact Persons (above) for more information.

Although you are encouraged to discuss the incident(s) with a trained contact person, you may choose to initially contact someone on staff with whom you are comfortable and whom you trust.  If you do so, please keep in mind that you will later need to talk with a trained contact person to get assistance as described below.

Step 2:  Carefully consider the informal options available to you.

The trained contact person will counsel you about the options available under this process.  These options include talking to the other person involved or their department head with or without the support of the contact person, talking to the other person involved or their department head through the contact person, deciding against any further action, and filing a formal, written complaint (see Harassment Based on Race/Ethnicity or National Origin: Formal Complaint Process).

In some situations, it may be possible for the contact person to resolve your problem without your direct involvement.  In this situation, having the contact person talk to the others involved could result in a change of behavior without the necessity of revealing your identity.

Although it may be difficult to take action, you are encouraged to consider doing something - yourself, or through a contact person to stop the harassment and educate the others involved.

Step 3:  Decide on your course of action.

 If you want to try to informally resolve the problem, decide how you wish to proceed (see Step 2 for examples).  After discussing the incident with the contact person, you may decide that you want to go no further with your report.  In this case, the only report of the incident will be in the Race/Ethnicity/National Origin Harassment Incident Report described in 'Record Keeping' (above).

Step 4:  Take the action you decide upon.

Step 5:  If you are not satisfied with the results of the informal resolution and you wish to file a complaint, the trained contact person can explain the formal complaint process and assist you with it.