Response and Investigation

VI. University's Response after an Act of Intolerance Has Been Reported

All reported acts of intolerance are to be responded to in an efficient and professional manner, taking into account the impact on the target and the Stanford community. Incident response will incorporate, to the extent appropriate, input from the target on his/her needs and thoughts on how to best address the matter.

A. Addressing the Needs of the Target(s)

The Residence Dean (RD) /Assistant Dean of Graduate Life will take the primary responsibility for addressing the needs of the target. She/he will make referrals to helpful University resources.

B. Addressing the Needs of the Perpetrator or Alleged Perpetrator

The Associate Vice Provost’s AOI team will address the needs of the perpetrator or alleged perpetrator. She/he will make referrals to appropriate University resources.

C. Addressing the Needs of the Stanford Community

The Associate Vice Provost’s AOI team will work closely with the residential staff and relevant staff throughout Student Affairs to assess the needs of the community affected most directly by the act of intolerance. If appropriate, she/he will work closely with the community center directors to respond to community concerns. Determinatino of what educational response is appropriate (e.g., engaging students in peer dialogue and reflection on issues regarding inclusiveness and civility) will be addressed.

D. Notification of University Administration

University staff who have been made aware of an act of intolerance are to notify the Director of Residential Education for incidents that occur in an undergraduate residence hall, or the Director of the Graduate Life Office for incidents primarily affecting graduate students, along with appropriate staff from other related units.

Acts of intolerance will next be reported to the Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs/Dean of Educational Resources, who will then notify the Vice Provost for Student Affairs. The Associate Vice Provost will work with the Director of Residential Education/Director of Graduate Life, and other Student Affairs staff to assess the situation and make sure the Acts of Intolerance Protocol has been followed and the appropriate steps are being taken to address the incident.

The Associate Vice Provost has ultimate responsibility to insure that the Acts of Intolerance Protocol is being followed and will keep the Vice Provost for Student Affairs informed. The Associate Vice Provost will also follow up with any outside agencies if an investigation is launched.

VII. Investigation of an Act of Intolerance

A. By a Law Enforcement Agency

If an incident has been referred to a law enforcement agency (e.g., police, District Attorney), it will be assumed that an investigation by that agency will be conducted and Stanford will follow its non-interference policy and allow the independent investigation to occur.

B. By Stanford University

Independent of a law enforcement investigation (if any), the Vice Provost for Student Affairs in consultation with other student affairs staff (Associate Vice Provosts for Student Life and Educational Resources) will determine if an investigation is appropriate. If so, a University staff member will be appointed to conduct the investigation and will report back in a timely fashion to the Vice Provost for Student Affairs.