Filing a Complaint and What to Expect

View Process Flow Chart that details anonymous and official reporting of complaints.

If you believe that you may have experienced discrimination or harassment in violation of University policy, or if you are aware that another person has allegedly engaged in such discrimination or harassment, please report such information using this complaint process outlined below. Read the full University of Guam Policy for Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination / Non-Harassment.

Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent appropriate in consideration of the circumstances. 

1. File a Complaint

   • You can file a complaint with the University EEO Director, University EEO counselor, an administrator (Dean or Director) or directly to the Vice President, Senior Vice President or President of the University.

   • If possible, complaints should be filed in writing. However, you can verbally file the complaint to a University officer, who will then submit a written complaint to the EEO Officer, unless the EEO Officer is the subject of the complaint.

   • You can also file a complaint online.
     
     
   • Complaints will be resolved promptly and no later than 45 days from receipt of the complaint. 
     
     

2. Complaint Review

   • The EEO Officer will review the complaint based on the University of Guam Policy for Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination / Non-Harassment and will conduct an investigation.
     
     

3. Resolution

   • The University shall take prompt and effective action in response to the complaint. The decision-maker will make a determination of the complaint in a manner consistent with the particular facts and circumstances of the complaint. 

   • Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action such as warning, suspension or termination from employment or of any other affiliation with the University, etc. The decision maker may determine that the complaint does not show a violation of the University policy. If so, the decision maker shall so inform the Complainant and Respondent. 

 

Non-Retaliation Statement

No member of the University community may be subjected to interference, coercion or reprisal for seeking advice concerning a matter under this Policy, reasonably filing a complaint, or otherwise in good faith participating in the internal complaint process or in a complaint process external to the University. The University will not so retaliate against any person making a complaint and will not knowingly permit retaliation.

 

Appeal of Discipline

Respondents or others who receive disciplinary action as a result of a complaint under this process may appeal under the provisions of the appropriate grievance procedures, if any, for faculty, staff, and students.

 

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Office of Civil Rights

In addition to these procedures, complaints may be filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) at the Hawaii District Office, Honolulu Office, Prince Kuhio Federal Building, 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Rm 7-127, Honolulu, HI 96850-0051, and the Office of Civil Rights of the US Department of Education at Federal Building, 50 United Nations Plaza, Room 239, San Francisco, CA 94102. 

 

View Process Flow Chart that details anonymous and official reporting of complaints