Equal Opportunity Services

Every member of the Laboratory Schools community deserves to be accepted and treated as an autonomous individual, without regard to characteristics irrelevant to participation in the life of Lab. Freedom of expression is vital to our shared goal of the pursuit of knowledge and should not be restricted by a multitude of rules. At the same time, unlawful harassment, discrimination, sexual misconduct, bullying, hazing, and retaliation compromise the integrity of Lab. Lab is committed to taking necessary action to prevent, correct, and, where indicated, discipline these behaviors.

Please get help! Lab community members who believe they have experienced conduct prohibited under Lab’s policies are encouraged to report the behavior and to seek support as soon as possible. We are here for you!

Policies and Procedures

Get Help or Support

Make a Report

Educational Materials

FAQs

Policies and Procedures

Harassment and Discrimination Policies for Student Behavior

Harassment and Discrimination Policies for Employee Behavior

The University of Chicago Policy on Harassment, Discrimination, and Sexual Misconduct (applies to Lab employees’ conduct)
The University of Chicago Policy on Title IX Sexual Harassment (applies to Lab employees’ conduct)
Sexual Harassment Information for Employees

Related School and University Policies

Get Help

Lab offers numerous support services and referrals to anyone who has experienced unwelcome conduct under any of the above listed policies. This list includes emergency resources, confidential resources, and additional resources available to members of the Lab community. Resources designated “confidential” are available to provide support, resources, and information. Confidential resources do not share identifying information about people or incidents without the reporting person’s consent.

Lab Support Resources for Students and Families

Support Resources for Employees

Resources at and outside of the University for all Community Members

University of Chicago Spiritual Life (Confidential)
University of Chicago Police Department: 773-702-8181
City of Chicago Police Emergency: 911 (24-hour)
City of Chicago Non-Emergency: 312-744-5000 (24-hour)
University of Chicago Medicine Emergency Department: 773-702-6250; 5656 S. Maryland Ave.
National Sexual Assault Telephone (24-hour) Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673) www.rainn.org/about-national-sexual-assault-telephone-hotline
YWCA Rape Crisis Hotline: 888-293-2080
LGBTQ Hotline (24-hour confidential): 773-871-CARE
YWCA: 866-525-9922

Request Gender Support

Our mission of honoring diversity lives in the daily life of Lab. One way we seek to honor diversity is to affirm and support our community members’ gender identity. We partner with students and families to ensure practices are individualized, affirming, and honor the specific identities of each student. In situations where gender plays a role, the school will endeavor to include community members based on their gender identity. The school will review each situation based on the particular circumstances. Relevant factors include, but are not limited to, the student’s preference, protecting student privacy, maximizing social integration, minimizing stigmatization of the student, the student’s age and/or maturity, the safety of the students involved, and the available facilities and/or accommodations.

Please use this form to request support or accommodations relating to your gender identity. An administrator will reach out to you within three business days after you submit your request to discuss next steps.

Download this handout for more information about gender support at Lab.

If this is an EMERGENCY: Call 9-1-1 for medical assistance or call 773-702-8181 to reach the University of Chicago Police Department.

Report an Incident or Concern

Report online an incident or file a complaint under the The Laboratory Schools’ Policy on Harassment, Discrimination, Sexual Misconduct, Bullying, Hazing, and Retaliation and Procedures for Students and/or the Policy on Title IX Sexual Harassment for Students
Report online a Bias Incident to Betsy Noel, Director of Equal Opportunity Services and Deputy Title IX Coordinator and Nicole Williams, Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion
Contact Betsy Noel, Director of Equal Opportunity Services and Deputy Title IX Coordinator, directly at 617-834-4366 or enoel@ucls.uchicago.edu, or in person at 1362 E. 59th St., Chicago, IL 60637, in Judd C106A
Report a concerning behavior to Lab’s Threat Assessment Team

For EMERGENCIES: Call 9-1-1 for medical assistance or call 773-702-8181 to reach the University of Chicago Police Department

Betsy Noel serves as the Director of Equal Opportunity Services and Deputy Title IX Coordinator and is the primary point of contact for Lab matters regarding sexual harassment and sexual misconduct. You may contact Ms. Noel at 773-834-4366, enoel@ucls.uchicago.edu, or in person at 1362 E. 59th St., Chicago, IL 60637 in Judd C106A. Contact information for the deans of students and principals in each division can be found on Lab’s website at https://www.ucls.uchicago.edu/about-lab/school-leadership.

Educational Materials and Programs

The mission of the Office of Equal Opportunity Services at Lab is to promote healthy relationships through dialogue and education, and to work towards the elimination of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct in our community. The scope of issues these prevention initiatives and programming address is quite broad, ranging from healthy relationships (including communication and sexual decision-making), bystander intervention, and the prevention and awareness of sexual assault, stalking, and relationship violence. The Office of Equal Opportunity Services coordinates programs and outreach for students at every grade level and for faculty and staff. Some of the education materials used in those programs and outreach can be found below. Resources for growth and reproduction and sexual health education can be found on Lab’s Student Wellness webpage.

FAQs

What happens when Lab receives a report of Title IX sexual misconduct, which includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and/or stalking?

Community members can expect outreach from the Deputy Title IX Coordinator, who will offer the person information about supportive measures, resolution options, and resources. Lab is obligated to contact the person who experienced the behavior and offer that information. Community members are not obligated to respond to this outreach or engage with the Deputy Title IX Coordinator. Community members can choose not to move forward with resolution options, but still receive support services. In rare circumstances, the Deputy Title IX Coordinator may need to move forward with an investigation based on information already received. If this happens, the reporting person will be notified.

What process does Lab follow for reports about students’ behavior?

What process does Lab follow for reports about employees’ behavior?

Lab faculty and staff are employees of the University of Chicago and subject to the University policies. When a Lab employee is accused of a violation of the University Title IX Policy, the Director of Human Resources (or designee) will normally conduct the investigation in partnership with the Associate Provost for Equal Opportunity Programs (or designee). Both parties (i.e., the student and the employee) will be simultaneously informed of the outcome of the investigation. When a policy violation is found, a report of the complaint, including any disciplinary action, is placed in the employee’s official file. For more information about the University policies, see the University of Chicago Policy on Harassment, Discrimination, and Sexual Misconduct and the University Policy on Title IX Sexual Harassment. Information about Lab’s process for ensuring community safety and emergency removals regarding employees’ conduct can be found in Lab’s Administrative Leave Pending Investigation policy.

What are the reporting obligations of Laboratory Schools’ faculty, staff, and administrators?

Reporting Sexual Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Stalking, Dating/Domestic Violence, and Retaliation to the Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Any faculty or staff member who sees inappropriate conduct must, on the spot, stop it, identify it, and remind students of the School’s expectations. All faculty members and staff employees are considered “employees with reporting obligations” are obligated to immediately report allegations of unwelcome behavior relating to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and conduct of a sexual nature, as well as stalking, dating/domestic violence, and retaliation, to the Title IX Coordinator. Incidents of bullying and hazing that are not based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, nor involve conduct of a sexual nature, should be reported to the appropriate Dean of Students.

Mandatory Reporting for Child Abuse and Neglect to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
Employees’ responsibilities to share information about harassment and discrimination with the Deputy Title IX Coordinator is distinct from employees’ “Mandated Reporter” status. Under Illinois law, all school employees are “Mandated Reporters” and must report suspected child abuse and neglect (including child sexual abuse and other physical abuse that does not include sexual conduct) to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services by contacting 1-800-25-ABUSE. In some circumstances, such as those involving an incident of child sexual abuse that occurred at school, an employee may need to report the inappropriate conduct to both the Title IX Coordinator and to DCSF. In other circumstances, such as those involving gender-based harassment that does not involve abuse or neglect, an employee may need to contact only the Title IX Coordinator. If an employee is unsure what steps should be taken, they should contact their Principal, the Director of Student Services, or the Title IX Coordinator immediately to discuss their concerns. The University Policy regarding Mandatory Reporting is available here.

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools