UTC Procedures for NSF Sexual Harassment Reporting Compliance

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Summary

In February of 2018, the National Science Foundation (NSF) released a new Policy that requires institutions to report harassment and/or assault involving Principal Investigators (PI) or Co-Principal Investigators (Co-PI) of NSF-funded projects on directly-funded and flow-down awards.

Covered Incidents

NSF’s Term & Condition covers sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, and sexual assault. Other forms of harassment include but are not limited to harassment based on ethnicity, race, or disability.

Important Dates

The Term & Condition is applied to new awards and funding amendments to existing awards issued on or after October 21, 2018.

Institutional Requirements

UTC must report to NSF if the University:

Places a PI or Co-PI on administrative leave or imposes any administrative action related to an investigation of an alleged violation of awardee policies or codes of conduct, statutes, regulations, or executive orders relating to sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault (even if no finding is imposed).
Issues a finding determination regarding a PI or Co-PI demonstrating a violation of awardee policies or codes of conduct, statutes, regulations, or executive orders relating to sexual harassment, other forms of harassment or sexual assault.

These requirements apply regardless of whether the actions of the PI/Co-PI leading to outcomes 1-2 occurred outside the scope of the NSF award.

The AOR must submit the report to NSF within ten (10) business days from the date of the finding/ determination, the placement on administrative leave, or the imposition of administrative action.

AOR Responsible for Reporting

Meredith Perry, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research, is the authorized representative (AOR) responsible for reporting harassment to NSF.

UTC Reporting Process

UTC’s NSF notification process will adhere to current UT policies and procedures for investigating allegations of harassment and assault. See the Related Links below to review UT policies and procedures.

For harassment based on gender, including sexual harassment and assault, the AOR will work with the Title IX Coordinator to identify researchers who meet the reporting guidelines while adhering to UTC’s confidentiality requirements. The AOR will only be informed if the allegation or finding warrants reporting to NSF. For questions, please contact Anitra Barrett, Title IX Coordinator, at [email protected].

For harassment based on race, ethnicity, disability, or other forms of discrimination, the Office of Equity and Inclusion will identify researchers who meet the reporting guidelines and notify the AOR for reporting purposes, while adhering to UTC’s confidentiality requirements. The AOR will only be informed if the allegation or finding warrants reporting to NSF. For questions, please contact Rosite Delgado, Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion, at [email protected].

When submitting a report to NSF, the AOR will only provide the identification of the PI/co-PI involved. Personally identifiable information regarding any complainants or other individuals involved in the matter WILL NOT be included in the notification.

Report Harassment

UT policies expressly prohibit harassment in any form and retaliation for reporting. Most UTC employees are mandatory reporters. All others are strongly encouraged to report incidents of harassment.

To report an incident of sexual harassment, visit UTC’s Reporting Options page or file a formal complaint here.
To report harassment based on race, ethnicity, disability, or other forms of discrimination, visit UTC’s Office of Equity and Inclusion webpage to file a complaint.

If you would like to report an incident of harassment involving an NSF-funded program or activity, you may contact the NSF Office of Equity and Civil Rights (OECR) at [email protected].

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