UChicago PME Policies and Resources for Student Concerns, Well-Being & Support
The UChicago PME Dean of Students office is the primary point of contact for student concerns, well-being, and support. Issues related to health and safety, community, academic infractions/grievances, social disruptions, or other dynamics affecting individual students or groups should be referred to the Dean of Students, David Taylor. The Dean of Students office will gather information, manage the case, identify paths for resolution, and refer students to partner offices for additional resources as needed.
Conversations with the Dean of Students are private but not necessarily confidential, especially in cases of potential harm or violations of law or University policy.
The Dean of Students, along with faculty, academic appointees, and other staff, are considered "Individuals with Reporting Responsibilities." This means they are obligated to report or address sexual misconduct. Such individuals must promptly notify UChicago CARES to report all known details related to any potential incident of sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking. This includes incidents reported to them directly, indirectly, through a third party, or personally observed.
Grievance Policy
UChicago PME is committed to ensuring a fair and respectful environment for all students. The grievance policy provides a formal process for addressing concerns, including allegations of abuse of authority by faculty, academic appointees, postdoctoral researchers, or staff.
The policy outlines both informal and formal resolution options, with the Dean of Students Office serving as the primary point of contact for guiding students through the process.
Read More: Grievance Policy
Leaves of Absence and Withdrawal
Please review the guidelines below to understand your options, responsibilities, and the steps required for leaves of absence and withdrawals.
Disciplinary Processes & Support
Conduct involving possible violation of University policies and regulations and other breaches of standards of behavior expected of University students should be brought promptly to the attention of the Dean of Students. Reports from the University Police about student misconduct will routinely be brought to the area Dean of Students for possible disciplinary action. Furthermore, the area Dean of Students may investigate and recommend disciplinary action based on reports from third parties of arrests, citations, or other conduct from external parties that come to the attention of the area Dean of Students.
Such violation and breaches of standards include, but are not limited to: plagiarism, cheating on examinations, falsifications of documents or records, theft, vandalism, violation of computing policies, violation of the alcohol and other drug policy, hazing, physical or verbal abuse that threatens or endangers the health or safety of others, violation of an administrative department's regulations, failure to comply with directives of University officials including the University Police, and violation of the terms of imposed disciplinary sanctions.
Key University Resources, Policies, & Expectations For Students
Student Manual: UChicago Policies & Regulations
The Student Manual is the official statement of University policies, regulations, and expected standards of student conduct that are applicable to all students.
Academic units and administrative offices may have additional policies and guidelines that may provide more detailed information.
The Student Manual contains key information, including but not limited to:
- University policies, including civil behavior in a university setting, nondiscrimination statement, graduate student parent policy.
- Academic policies, including academic honesty and plagiarism, academic fraud, degrees, leaves of absence, and registration for students in PhD programs.
- Administrative policies, including admissions, student health insurance, immunization requirements, student educational records and directory information, student enrollment, and withdrawal from the University.
Read more: studentmanual.uchicago.edu
Student Misconduct & University Disciplinary Systems
The University of Chicago is a community of scholars dedicated to research, academic excellence, and the pursuit and cultivation of learning in an environment where the free and open expression of ideas and critical questions are paramount.
Every member of the University—student, faculty, and staff—commits to:
- Striving for personal and academic integrity
- Treating others with dignity and respect
- Honoring the rights and property of others
- Taking responsibility for individual and group behavior
- Acting as a responsible citizen in both the academic community and the larger society
Any student conduct, whether on or off campus, that threatens or violates this commitment may be subject to action within the University's system of student discipline.
For more information on the various student disciplinary systems, reference the University of Chicago Student Manual.
University Policy on Title IX Sexual Harassment
Title IX Sexual Harassment violates the law, as well as the standards of our community, and is unacceptable at the University of Chicago. Sexual harassment can be devastating to the person who experiences it directly and can adversely impact family, friends, and the larger community. Regardless of the definitions provided below, people who believe they have experienced any form of sexual misconduct are encouraged to report the incident and to seek medical care (as appropriate) and support as soon as possible.
Matters that do not meet the definition of Title IX Sexual Harassment (as described in this Policy) are not within the scope of this Policy, but may still constitute misconduct that is incompatible with University’s standards and may be addressed by the University of Chicago’s Policy on Harassment, Discrimination, and Sexual Misconduct (next section below), or other applicable University policies or procedures.
Access the complete policy here: titleixpolicy.uchicago.edu/policy
University Disciplinary Process (Relative to Policy on Title IX Sexual Harassment)
The University is committed to providing a prompt, fair, impartial, and thorough investigation and resolution that is consistent with the University’s policies and is transparent to the Title IX Complainant and the Title IX Respondent.
In most cases, the University’s Investigative/Hearing Body Resolution Process will be complete within 60-90 days of receiving a Formal Title IX Complaint.
The University, in its discretion, may extend its investigation for good cause. If the timeframe for the investigation is extended, the University will provide written notice to the Title IX Complainant and the Title IX Respondent of the delay and the reason for the extension. A person does not need to participate in the University’s disciplinary process to request support services and/or accommodations.
More information on this process can be found at: titleixpolicy.uchicago.edu/policy
University Policy on Harassment, Discrimination & Sexual Misconduct
Sexual misconduct may violate the law, does violate the standards of our community, and is unacceptable at the University of Chicago. Sexual misconduct can be devastating to the person who experiences it directly and can adversely impact family, friends, and the larger community. Regardless of the definitions provided below, people who believe they have experienced any sexual misconduct are encouraged to report the incident and seek medical care (as appropriate) and support as soon as possible.
Matters that constitute Title IX Sexual Harassment under the University Policy on Title IX Sexual Harassment (titleixpolicy.uchicago.edu) are not within the scope of this Policy and will be addressed under the procedures set forth in the Policy on Title IX Sexual Harassment.
Read more: harassmentpolicy.uchicago.edu/page/policy or studentmanual.uchicago.edu/student-life-conduct/university-disciplinarysystems/university-wide-disciplinary-system
University Disciplinary Process (Relative to Policy on Harassment, Discrimination & Sexual Misconduct Concerns)
A complaint that a student engaged in a violation of the University’s Policy on Harassment, Discrimination, and Sexual Misconduct should be brought promptly to the attention of the Associate Dean of Students in the University for Disciplinary Affairs or the Associate Provost for Equal Opportunity Programs. A person does not need to participate in the University’s disciplinary process to request support services and/or accommodations.
Reporting Options for Violations of the University Policy on Title IX Sexual Harassment Or The University Policy on Harassment, Discrimination & Sexual Misconduct
Reporting an incident to a Title IX Coordinator is private and does not mean the person who experienced the incident somehow loses control of the process.
Individuals may choose not to move forward with the disciplinary process and may still request support services and/or accommodations.
Retaliation of any kind is strictly prohibited for either party involved with the reporting and adjudication of incidents.
To learn more about reporting options for violations of Title IX or the University of Chicago’s Policy on Harassment, Discrimination, and Sexual Misconduct, visit: https://cares.uchicago.edu/reporting/reporting-information-for-students/
Individuals With Title IX Reporting Responsibilities
University employees not designated as confidential resources are considered “Individuals with Title IX Reporting Responsibilities” and must report all incidents of gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking to UChicago CARES. “Individuals with Reporting Responsibilities” means any faculty member, other academic appointee, or staff employee who would be reasonably expected to have the authority or duty to report or take action to redress sexual misconduct. “Individuals with Reporting Responsibilities” include (among others) faculty and instructors, RAs, Resident Heads, Resident Deans, TAs, preceptors, UCPD staff, and all other University staff.
Confidential Resources
Confidential Resources linked here are not obligated to report any form of sexual misconduct, including Title IX Sexual Harassment, to the Title IX Coordinator and will not do so without the explicit consent of the complainant.