Community Standards and the Office for Institutional Equity: Working Together

Working Together: Community Standards and the Office for Institutional Equity

This guide explains what happens after a report or information is provided to the Department of Community Standards or the Office for Institutional Equity. Both offices oversee policies that cover a variety of behaviors in the Mines community. Our team knows that experiencing a difficult situation and reporting it to Mines can be confusing at times, given these two offices’ similarities and differences. This guide explains the distinct roles of the Office for Institutional Equity (OIE) and the Department of Community Standards, and how we work together to manage student-to-student conduct cases. This guide breaks down policies in each office. To read each policy in full:

Office Jurisdiction: Who Handles What?

Office Primary Focus and Purpose Key Case Types Handled
Office for Institutional Equity (OIE) & Title IX Addressing prohibited conduct related to Protected Classes and ensuring compliance with federal law, including Title IX. OIE is the lead for discrimination and sexual misconduct matters.
  • Sexual Misconduct (Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Dating/Domestic Violence, Stalking)
  • Protected Class Discrimination/Harassment (e.g., based on race, gender identity, disability, etc.) 
Community Standards (CS) Addressing all other non-academic violations of the Student Code of Conduct. This office upholds general community expectations and manages the Student Conduct process.

 

 

  • General Conduct Violations (e.g., alcohol/drug violations, theft, property damage, disruptive behavior)
  • Academic Integrity is managed in Community Standards, in partnership with faculty. For detailed information about academic integrity, you can click here. 

 

How Cases Are Transferred Between Offices

The office that manages your case is determined by the nature of the alleged conduct. If a report involves elements that are a mix of both office policies, the two offices consult to determine the final jurisdiction.

  • Reason: A report filed with Community Standards is reviewed and reveals the alleged conduct meets the university’s definitions of Sexual Misconduct or Protected Class Discrimination/Harassment.
  • Action: The case is transferred to OIE, as all allegations of sexual misconduct and discrimination are the responsibility of that office.
  • What to Expect: OIE will contact the Complainant to discuss the specific OIE/Title IX procedures, Complainant rights, options for resolution, and Supportive Measures.
  • Reason: OIE completes an initial review and determines that the alleged conduct does not meet the criteria for resolution under OIE’s discrimination or sexual misconduct procedures.
  • Action: The matter is transferred to the Department of Community Standards to be reviewed solely under the Student Code of Conduct for potential general misconduct violations.
  • What to Expect: Community Standards will contact the Complainant/Impacted Party and the alleged student to explain their process, next steps, and rights as a participant under the Student Code of Conduct.
  • Reason: A report filed with Community Standards or OIE is reviewed and reveals the alleged conduct does not meet the university’s definitions of Sexual Misconduct or Protected Class Discrimination/Harassment, nor does it violate the Student Code of Conduct.
  • Action: The incident will be documented, but the case would be dismissed for formal action under the Student Code of Conduct or OIE procedures. 
  • What to Expect: OIE or Community Standards staff will contact the reporting party to discuss other options for resolution, if possible. 
Getting Connected

Accessing Support and Resources

Complainants should be aware that they have access to Supportive Measures through OIE and/or SHAPE (Sexual Harassment Advocacy, Prevention, & Education: Link to SHAPE at Mines), whether they choose to formally move forward with a complaint or not.

  • OIE is responsible for assessing and implementing Supportive Measures for all impacted parties, which they often do in partnership with SHAPE.
  • Supportive Measures can be provided for all impacted parties in cases involving Sexual Misconduct, Dating/Domestic Violence, Stalking, or Protected Class Discrimination, even if the case is ultimately referred to Community Standards.
  • These can include options like No-Contact Directives, academic adjustments, housing changes, and other options.