Notification Requirements Regarding Sexual Harassment, Other Forms of Harassment, or Sexual Assault
Policy
UW-Eau Claire will adhere to the following agency requirements whenever award terms and conditions include notification requirements regarding sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault:
- National Science Foundation (NSF) or National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) requirements whenever the term and condition regarding sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault is included in an NSF- or NASA-funded award or subaward agreement.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) prior approval policy for changes in the status of PIs and senior/key personnel, as described in Notice NOT-OD-18-172 and per requirements.
- Simons Foundation regarding notification requirements in their Grant Code of Conduct.
Procedures
UW-Eau Claire’s process to address the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), or Simons Foundation requirements will include the following steps.
- Twice per year, the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) will email a list of active NSF, NASA, NIH, and Simons Foundation awards to the Affirmative Action and Provost offices.
- Affirmative Action and Provost offices will review the list and either confirm no reporting required or provide details, per agency requirements and definitions of sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault.
- At any time, whether during the bi-annual check or other time, if an administrative leave or action is imposed, the Affirmative Action and/or Provost office will provide necessary information to ORSP.
- ORSP is responsible for submitting any notification to the granting agency, which is due within 10 business days (NSF, NASA, and Simons Foundation) or 30 days (NIH) of the date of the administrative leave/action or finding/determination.
- ORSP will work with NSF, NASA, NIH, or Simons Foundation, and other appropriate offices as needed, with the primary goals of ensuring the safety and security of other award personnel and the continued progress of the funded project. Actions that may be necessary may include, but are not limited to:
- Replacement of the PI or Co-I
- Review of expenditures on the award
- When necessary, transfer of unallowable charges off the award
Definitions
Administrative leave or action: Any temporary/interim suspension or permanent removal of the PI or co-I, or any administrative action imposed on the PI or co-I by the awardee/recipient under organizational policies or codes of conduct, statutes, regulations, or executive orders, relating to activities, including but not limited to the following: teaching, advising, mentoring, research, management/administrative duties, or presence on campus.
Finding/determination: The final disposition of a matter involving sexual harassment or other form of harassment under organizational policies and processes, to include the exhaustion of permissible appeals exercised by the PI or co-I, or a conviction of a sexual offense in a criminal court of law.
UW-Eau Claire Affirmative Action Policies
UW System related policies: Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment and Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation.
National Science Foundation (NSF): Plan for Safe and Inclusive Working Environments for Off-Campus or Off-Site Research
Policy
It is NSF policy (see PAPPG Chapter XI.A.1.g.) to foster safe and harassment-free environments wherever science is conducted. At the time of application, for any NSF proposal that proposes to conduct research off-campus or off-site, UW-Eau Claire must complete a certification that the organization has a plan in place for that proposal that describes how the following types of behavior will be addressed:
- Abuse of any person, including, but not limited to, harassment, stalking, bullying, or hazing of any kind, whether the behavior is carried out verbally, physically, electronically, or in written form; or
- Conduct that is unwelcome, offensive, indecent, obscene, or disorderly.
Procedures
University Responsibility
This procedure reflects UW-Eau Claire’s plan for safe and inclusive working environments for off-campus or off-site research.
Principal Investigator (PI) Responsibility
The PI is responsible for modifying this plan with any project-specific details (as needed) and understanding, communicating, and implementing this plan with all project participants. The PI must share a copy of this plan that contains any project-specific modifications with ORSP. Unless otherwise noted in a specific NSF program solicitation, the plan should not be submitted to NSF for review.
UW-Eau Claire Plan for Safe and Inclusive Working Environments for Off-Campus or Off-Site Research
Nurturing an inclusive off-campus or off-site working environment
UW-Eau Claire has established the following policies to nurture safe and inclusive working environments:
UW-Eau Claire has a Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Policy applicable to all who are supported by funding, in full or in part, from the National Science Foundation for research or education activities to participate in and successfully complete training in RCR. This includes individualized instruction related to RCR provided by faculty mentors.
Requiring communications within project team and to the organization
The PI will share this plan, including any project-specific details, with all project participants who conduct research off-campus or off-site. The plan should be shared prior to departure for any off-campus or off-site research.
Providing a process to submit, receive, and resolving incident reports
UW-Eau Claire has established the following policies/procedures:
Definitions
Research off-campus or off site is defined as data/information/samples being collected off-campus or off-site, such as fieldwork and research activities on vessels and aircraft.
