Persons should report discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and/or retaliation (See Prohibited Conduct in the Discrimination section of the Student Handbook) to EOA or Title IX. The University encourages community members to report violations of this policy as soon as possible after an incident, but violations may be reported at any time. If after reviewing the allegations EOA or Title IX determines that a report should be addressed by another office, they will direct the person submitting the report to the appropriate office and will refer the matter to that office. To report to EOA or Title IX, a person may do one or more of the following: (1) use the Online Reporting Form; (2) contact the office via (email eoa@vanderbilt.edu), mail, or phone; or (3) visit the office in person.
When making a report, it is helpful to provide all known relevant information, including: what happened, where, and when; names of all involved persons, including witnesses who were present and/or have relevant knowledge; supporting documentation (such as videos, emails, photos, text messages, or messages through social media); any other information; and contact information. Everyone is encouraged to report Prohibited Conduct even if some or all relevant information is unavailable.
If the offense is criminal in nature, persons may also file a report with the Vanderbilt University Police Department (VUPD) or Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD).
Vanderbilt University Police Department 111 28th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37212
615-322-2745
Emergency – 911 or 615-421-1911
http://police.vanderbilt.edu/
Metro Nashville Police Department Headquarters
200 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37201
615-862-7400
Emergency – 911
http://www.police.nashville.gov
Civil or criminal proceedings are separate from the University administrative process described in this policy. The University may be required by law to provide information to civil or criminal authorities or in civil or criminal proceedings. The filing of a police report or the pendency of civil or criminal proceedings does not preclude EOA or any other department of Vanderbilt University from proceeding with its investigation and determination. The University’s investigation and determination may be delayed until law enforcement officials have finished gathering evidence but generally will not be held until the conclusion of any criminal proceeding.
EOA will provide non-identifying information to VUPD for crime statistics reporting in accordance with the requirements of the Clery Act. The information reported may result in the issuance of a timely warning or security notice to the community, but the warning will not include any information that identifies the person(s) reported to have been subjected to discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation.
Anonymous Reporting
Anonymous reports may be submitted through the Online Reporting Form. In addition, Vanderbilt has established the Vanderbilt University Compliance Reporting Hotline, an independently-operated compliance hotline that may be used to report incidents of possible wrongdoing on campus. The Compliance Reporting Hotline is available at (844) 814-5935, or via the Make a Report tab on the EthicsPoint site. Please note that EOA’s ability to investigate or to implement remedial actions may be more limited for anonymous reports.
Third-Party Reporting
Vanderbilt encourages third parties to report Prohibited Conduct to EOA, Title IX, VUPD, or MNPD, as applicable. Third parties may also report incidents through the anonymous reporting resources identified above. After providing a report, third parties are not entitled to information about the University’s investigation, including any outcome, due to privacy concerns and applicable federal and state laws.