At the University of Montana, we are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful campus environment—free from discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and retaliation. The policies and procedures outlined on this page support that commitment by providing clear standards for conduct, guidance for reporting concerns, and fair processes for resolution.
The Office of Conflict, Resolution & Policy (CRP) oversees these processes and helps the campus community understand their rights, responsibilities, and available options.
Current Policies
Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy
The University of Montana is committed to a campus where every person is treated with dignity and respect. This policy prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation based on protected characteristics, including race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, and political ideas.
This policy applies to all members of the university community (employees, students, affiliates, and visitors) and covers conduct that occurs on campus, in university programs and activities, in university employment settings, or through university-affiliated student organizations.
To learn more about the Discrimination, Harassment, & Retaliation Policy and Procedures, please visit the Discrimination Grievance Procedures webpage or view the full policy and procedure below.
View Policy (PDF)
View Grievance Procedures (PDF)
Sexual Harassment Policy (Title IX)
The University of Montana is committed to a campus free from sexual harassment. This policy covers hostile environment harassment, quid pro quo harassment, sexual assault, stalking, domestic violence, dating violence, and sex-based exploitation, and applies to all employees, students, affiliates, and visitors. It aligns with federal Title IX protections and covers conduct that occurs within university programs and activities.
To learn more about the Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures, please visit the Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedures webpage or view the full policy and procedure below.
Mandated Reporting
Under UM policy, all non-confidential employees, including student employees, are considered mandated reporters. If they learn about incidents of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, or retaliation, they are required to report it to CRP.
Visit our Mandated Reporter Information Page to learn:
- Who qualifies as a mandated reporter
- What must be reported
- How and when to make a report
Supportive Measures
CRP is more than an enforcement office—we are a support resource. If you’ve experienced discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, or retaliation, CRP may be able to help coordinate and provide supportive measures, regardless of whether a formal process is initiated. They may include:
- Referrals to counseling and support services
- Extensions on deadlines or academic adjustments
- Changes to work or class schedules
- Housing or work location changes
- Safety planning and campus escort services
- Increased security in certain campus areas
- Training programs
- Other personalized support
These measures are confidential and will only be shared with those who need to know in order to implement them.
Grievance Procedures
Our grievance processes are designed to ensure that reports are addressed in a fair, respectful, and timely manner. Each policy—Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation, and the Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy—has its own set of procedures.
Learn More About the Discrimination Grievance Process
Learn More About the Sexual Harassment Grievance Process
If you're unsure which policy applies to your situation, the Office of Conflict, Resolution & Policy (CRP) is available to help assess the concern and guide you to the appropriate process.
Resources & Confidential Support
If you’re unsure where to start, CRP can help connect you to the right office. Confidential resources are available for those who wish to speak privately without initiating a report.
Policy Update (FAQs)
General Policy Information
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Title IX is a federal law that protects people from sex-based discrimination in schools that receive federal funding. It covers things like sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic/dating violence, and stalking in education programs or activities. At the University of Montana, the Office of Conflict, Resolution, & Policy (CRP Office) helps individuals by taking reports, offering support, and guiding them through their options, including filing a Formal Complaint. You can reach them by calling (406) 243-5710, emailing conflict@umontana.edu, or visiting University Hall Room 004—they’re there to make sure you feel safe and supported on campus.
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The University of Montana’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy is guided by several federal and state laws that protect individuals from unfair treatment in education and employment. These include federal laws like Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Equal Pay Act, and Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). At the state level, the policy is shaped by the Montana Human Rights Act and Montana’s Constitution, which guarantee individual dignity and prohibit discrimination based on characteristics like race, sex, age, disability, and more.
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The University of Montana’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy and its Sexual Harassment Policy are closely related and may sometimes overlap, but each serves a distinct purpose.
The Sexual Harassment Policy addresses conduct that falls within the scope of Title IX, such as sexual assault, stalking, and dating or domestic violence.
The Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy applies more broadly to behaviors based on protected characteristics such as race, color, national origin, religion, disability, age, veteran status, and more—as well as sex and gender-based conduct that does not meet the specific criteria outlined under Title IX.
If you're unsure which policy applies to your experience, please contact the Conflict, Resolution, and Policy (CRP) Office for guidance and support. We're here to help.
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It depends. These cases are reviewed individually to see if there’s a connection to the University. For example, if something happens during a UM-sponsored trip or event off campus, or if the behavior seriously affects a student’s ability to feel safe or succeed at school—like if both students are in the same academic program—the policy might still apply. Even if an incident happens off campus, you can still report it to the CRP Office. While the University may not have full authority to investigate (called adjudicatory jurisdiction), the CRP Office can still offer supportive measures, provide guidance, and in some cases, take non-punitive steps to address the situation.
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The University of Montana works to enforce sexual harassment, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation policies while also respecting free speech and academic freedom. It does this by focusing on behavior that is discriminatory or harassing—not just speech that may be offensive. The goal is to create a safe learning environment without limiting open discussion or academic exploration when it's done appropriately.
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UM strictly prohibits retaliation against anyone who submits a report, participates in an investigation, or supports someone involved in a case. This means no one can legally be punished, threatened, harassed, or treated unfairly for being part of the process. If retaliation does happen, it can lead to disciplinary action against the person responsible. The University takes these protections seriously to make sure everyone feels safe coming forward.