Resources for Reporting and Addressing Mistreatment

The University of Pittsburgh and the Center for Neuroscience strive to create an environment free of discrimination or harassment, as defined by the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination and Sexual Misconduct policies. Those who experience mistreatment have a right to report it. This page contains resources both within and outside of the CNUP that can provide guidance, mediation, justice, or resolution. We have included non-reporting support resources at the end of this page.

More information on the University of Pittsburgh’s policies can be found in the Faculty Handbook, Student Code of Conduct, and Community Standards Policies.

All university faculty and staff, except for specific counselors and medical professionals, are “responsible employees” and therefore legally mandated to report incidents of sexual misconduct that are disclosed to them. Reports are made to the Title IX office and may lead to investigation. This policy is detailed in the Responsible Employee Guidelines. Students should feel free to report to the university employees they most trust and feel comfortable with, while understanding that many of these people must report incidents of sexual misconduct.  

CNUP Resources

Mentor: Students are encouraged to discuss incidents or concerns with their primary mentor. Your advisor can address problems within the lab, help you understand your options, and/or facilitate contact with the codirectors. Other trusted faculty mentors may also prove useful.

CNUP Graduate Program Codirectors and CNUP Program Codirectors: Graduate Program codirectors are prepared to offer essential assistance when students encounter bias or harassment. The codirectors can provide advice, serve as mediators between the parties involved, and provide guidance on reporting. Importantly, they will also help students who require adjustments to their graduate school path (such as changing labs or ending rotations early) due to bias or harassment. Codirectors are also responsible for enforcing the CNUP Guidelines code of conduct for CNUP students and training faculty.

Institutional Reporting Resources

These resources are available to you at any point when handling a reportable incident. They are particularly useful for incidents that can’t be resolved by a discussion with mentors or codirectors, involve persons outside of the CNUP and/or should be documented through official channels for permanent records or disciplinary actions.

Pitt Concern Connection (PCC) is a reporting hub for ALL incidents and concerns at the University of Pittsburgh. It includes an online report form, a question form, and phone and text lines. Example incidents of concern include (but are not limited to) sexual harassment or misconduct, racist incidents, denial of disability accommodations, and research or ethical misconduct. Reports and questions can be submitted anonymously.

Note that if your report is anonymous, the offices will be limited in their ability to follow up. Nevertheless, anonymous reporting provides an important record. For timely resolution of a time-sensitive situation, identifying information may be needed, or you may wish to contact the relevant office directly.

University of Pittsburgh Offices: These offices handle resolution of specific complaints. Many PCC reports are ultimately directed to them.

The School of Medicine Office for the Learning Environment (OLE): This office serves graduate students in SOM departments (e.g. Neurobiology, Anesthesia, Neurology, Psychiatry, etc.) as well as medical students. They can also assist with any incident in which at least one party is a member of the SOM. Reports can be filed via the Pitt Med Professionalism Accolade and Incident Reporting (PAIR) system, which can be anonymous, or by contacting OLE staff.  The Assistant Dean for the Learning Environment can provide specific guidance through the process, and the SOM also has a team of Ombudspersons to aid students.

The School of Arts and Sciences: These resources, and especially the Ombudsperson, serve graduate students in Arts and Sciences departments, or can aid with incidents in which one party is a member of the School of Arts and Sciences. CNUP members with appointments in the Departments of Neuroscience, Psychology, Mathematics, etc. are part of this school.

Carnegie Mellon University Resources: CNUP trainees are typically not employees/students of CMU, but incidents may involve CMU members. Official reports can be filed via one of CMU’s channels. If the incident requires a specific resolution (e.g. changes to course schedule or equipment access), CNUP codirectors and/or faculty can assist you and communicate with CMU as needed.

Non-Reporting Resources for Incidents of Sexual Misconduct

The following resources are confidential and/or community-based and are free to access. University mental health counselors are exempt from mandatory reporting. These resources will not initiate official investigations or disciplinary action, though they can provide support for a student who wishes to do so.