To foster a campus culture where everyone can thrive, Harvard University has approved university-wide Non-Discrimination and Anti-Bullying policies, effective September 1, 2023. These policies apply to all students, faculty, staff, researchers and other members of the Harvard community across all Schools and units, including Harvard Graduate School of Design. For more information, please review Harvard University's Non-Discrimination Policy.

Overview

Below is information on the GSD’s formal and informal pathways for addressing concerning behaviors covered under the policies referenced above; as well as contact information for all the Appropriate Officials (AOs) and Local Designated Resources (LDRs) supporting implementation of the formal complaint procedure and informal procedures at the Graduate School of Design.

Local Designated Resources (LDRs)

To initiate a formal complaint protocol or an informal procedure for responding to an incident, please contact one of our Local Designated Resources (LDRs) at the Graduate School of Design.

The following Local Designated Resources at Harvard Graduate School of Design will coordinate with the Central Office regarding complaint, training, and education initiatives relative to the Policy.  They also serve as a resource for receiving reports and complaints, directing community members to resources, and providing information on supportive measures:

Appropriate Officials (AOs)

As it relates to our formal complaints procedures, the Appropriate Officials (AOs) are individuals or entities who will be the final authority to issue any sanctions following completion of an investigation and determinations related to policy violation. There are different AOs for students, staff, and faculty & academic appointees, which is detailed below.

At Harvard GSD, the following individuals have been designated as Appropriate Officials, who serve as the final authority to issue any sanctions under the University’s non-discrimination and anti-bullying policies:

For situations involving faculty, the Appropriate Official is the GSD Dean, Sarah Whiting or their designee.

For situations involving students, the Appropriate Official is the faculty members serving on the GSD Review Board; Janice Gilkes, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or their designee.

For situations involving staff members, the Appropriate Official is the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Janice Gilkes or their designee.

Informal Procedures & Pathways for Responding to Concerns

If you would like to explore an informal resolution, you can bring your concern to Harvard’s Office of Community Conduct or the Local Designated Resource to receive support, information, or advice. You may also submit your concern via Harvard’s Online Reporting System.

Formal Complaint Procedure

All members of the GSD community can file a formal complaint if they have experienced concerning behavior covered in our non-discrimination and anti-bullying policies. A complainant may file a formal complaint with the Local Designated Resource or with the central Office for Community Conduct.  Complainants filing a formal complaint cannot remain anonymous or prevent their identity from being disclosed to the respondent. To learn more about the process for filing a formal complaint please contact your Local Designated Resource. For additional questions, you may also submit a contact request.