The University of Texas at Austin is committed to creating and maintaining an educational and work environment free from all forms of sexual harassment, sex discrimination, exploitation and intimidation where all students, faculty, and staff can learn, work and thrive.
At the School of Information, every member of our community has the right to feel safe and deserves to be heard, believed, and supported. Federal and state laws provide legal protections to all members of our campus community and mandates that all university employees must promptly report any incidents that involve a student or employee.
Title IX
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity. Title IX protects all members of our campus community who experience sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual misconduct, interpersonal violence (including dating and domestic violence), stalking, or discrimination on the basis of pregnancy. These protections apply to students, faculty, staff, contractors, applicants and campus visitors. We are committed to creating and fostering a campus environment free from all forms of sex discrimination.
Senate Bill 212 (SB 212)
This Texas state law addresses reporting requirements for incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking. All employees who witness or receive information about sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking that involve a current student or employee—or was committed by or against a person who was a student enrolled at or an employee of the institution at the time of the incident—must promptly report the incident to the University’s Title IX Coordinator or a Deputy Title IX Coordinator.
Student employees are encouraged, but not required, to report under SB 212; however, if the student employee is designated as a “responsible employee”, such as graduate teaching and research assistants, then they are still required to report under federal Title IX law.
Assistance and Support
The Title IX Office
Handles exclusively cases which deal solely with sex-based discrimination, which can include harassment, misconduct, assault, and stalking. The Title IX Office handles complaints made against employees and students. The iSchool's Title IX Liaison is:
Dona Kurtz: 512-471-2185 | dona@ischool.utexas.edu
1616 Guadalupe St, UTA 5.324, Austin, Texas 78701
More information about the Title IX team can be found here.
Student Emergency Services (SES)
Serves as a primary point of contact for students and their families and assists with navigating campus and community resources. SES can help students by offering: information regarding course load reductions or full withdrawals, emergency funds, short-term emergency housing, referrals to appropriate campus offices, discrete notifications to professors regarding absences, and coordination with families. This service is a mandatory reporter.
Location: SSB 4.104
Phone: (512) 471-5017
Behavioural Concerns Advice Line
Provides UT Austin’s faculty, students, and staff an opportunity to discuss their concerns about another individual’s behavior. Trained staff members will assist the individual in exploring available options and strategies. They will also provide appropriate guidance and resource referrals to address the particular situation. This service is a mandatory reporter. An individual can either call the line at (512) 232-5050 or report their concerns using the online submission form.Confidential Resources
Confidentiality
Only employees whose duties authorize them to receive and maintain confidential or privileged information by law are considered confidential (and only in the circumstances which render the communication confidential or privileged).
Confidential employees must report each incident to the institution’s Title IX Coordinator by type and must not include any information identifying the complainant UNLESS:
- The employee is required to report information under other law
- The client consents to disclosure
These services are considered confidential by federal and state law.
Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC)
Offers group counseling, short-term individual counseling, classes, workshops, and a 24/7 Crisis Line for students encountering a variety of issues in their personal and academic lives.
Appointments: (512) 471-3515
24/7 Crisis Line: (512) 471-2255
Voices Against Violence
Voices Against Violence has gathered advocacy resources on campus designed to support survivors. They offer a survivor-centric compilation of reporting resources that detail what your options are when deciding whether or to whom to report an incident. They also provide a Services for Survivors page that outlines a variety of support options on campus, including the 24-hour crisis hotline: (512) 471-2255.
Private Resources
These resources do not share information with others without consent and are not required to report to the University. There are limits to privacy, and it is not protected under law.
Advocates
The Advocates at UT Austin are trained professional staff who provide information, tools, and resources and allow students to determine the course of action that best fits their needs. To make an appointment with an advocate, contact advocate@austin.utexas.edu or call (512) 471-5017.
Interpersonal Violence Peer Support (IVPS)*
Undergraduate and graduate students trained to give peer support to other students. Can offer one-on-one confidential support and access to more resources.
*Please note, students who volunteer with IVPS only serve as non-mandatory reporters while working in specific physical spaces within that volunteer role.
Ombuds Office
Provides confidential help navigating the institution or finding the right place for help.
For students and staff: (512) 471-3825
For faculty: (512) 471-5866
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Offers short-term counseling services, training programs, referrals to community health professionals, and crisis intervention to university faculty and staff. Available following any trauma or crisis experienced by an employee.
Appointments: (512) 471-3366
After-hours: (512) 471-3399
Dona Kurtz - Title IX Liaison School of Information
Location: 1616 Guadalupe St, UTA 5.324, Austin, Texas 78701
Email: dona@ischool.utexas.edu
Phone: 512-471-2185