Policies and Procedures

Policies and Procedures

Policy 1201: Non-Discrimination
The University’s Non-Discrimination Policy provides for an educational and work environment free from any discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Policy 1201 Grievance Procedure
For the complete grievance procedure, including time frames and the DEI appeal process, please read the Policy 1201 Grievance Procedure document (PDF). This procedure applies to all Mason faculty, staff, students, university contractors, vendors, and visitors.

Filing a Complaint

To file a complaint, the Office of Access, Compliance, and Community strongly encourages filling out an online intake form.  You may also submit a complaint via email to MasonEO@gmu.edu, or call the office at (703) 993-8730.  If a reasonable accommodation or other assistance is necessary to participate in this process, please notify the Office of Access, Compliance, and Community by email or by phone and someone will assist you.

No matter how you choose to file, please be prepared to provide:

  • The name and contact information of the Complaining party (“Complainant”);
  • The name of the Responding party (“Respondent”);
  • Pertinent details regarding the conduct or actions that are believed to be a violation of University Policy ("who did what to whom, when, and where?"); and
  • A brief statement explaining why the Complainant believes the conduct or actions occurred based on one or more of the Complainant’s protected characteristics.

Submissions lacking one or more of these details may not be considered complete enough for review by the Office of Access, Compliance, and Community.

Once a complaint is submitted, a member of the Equity and Access Services team will contact you to discuss the specifics of your concerns. The Office of Access, Compliance, and Community will then make a threshold determination as to whether the allegation(s) contained in the complaint may constitute a policy violation, and determine appropriate next steps.

Both Complaining and Responding parties have the right to bring an advisor to an investigative meeting. The Office of Access, Compliance, and Community asks that you submit the name and relationship of the advisor (e.g., legal counsel), in writing, at least 72 business hours prior to the meeting.  Absent extenuating circumstances, advisors, including legal counsel, may not speak or interact with the Office of Access, Compliance, and Community on your behalf.

Retaliation

Retaliation is a negative action taken against an individual as a result of a complaint of discrimination being filed, or after an individual has participated in or cooperated with the Office of Access, Compliance, and Community's investigative process in some manner. It is against federal law and Policy 1201 for any agent, employee or student of the university to intimidate, harass, coerce, or discriminate against an individual for taking steps to stop discrimination or discriminatory harassment—even where the underlying complaint is not found to violate university policy. Charges of retaliation will be treated as separate and distinct from original charges and allegations, and may be investigated and resolved by the Office of Access, Compliance, and Community accordingly.  Those in a supervisory position must monitor the academic or work environment to ensure that it is free from retaliation.