A message from the Chancellor

UH System Faculty, Staff and Students:

As we find ourselves in another academic year, a time when we have enrolled more students than ever and are striving to achieve the highest of expectations for ourselves, I want to remind the University of Houston System (UHS) community of the responsibility we all share in working, learning and living in an environment that is safe and free from discrimination of any kind – including sexual harassment.

As stated in UHS’ Sexual Misconduct policy, any form of sex discrimination, including harassment in the form of sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, or stalking, is antithetical to the standards and ideals of our System, and we will take appropriate action to eliminate these acts from happening, prevent their recurrence and address their effects.

To achieve these goals, I am reminding everyone that we must have absolutely no tolerance for any behavior that encourages or even passively accepts an environment in which such acts occur. Second, I want to be clear in stating that our responsibility is not limited to refraining from such actions ourselves. We are also responsible for reporting such behavior. For employees of UHS, remember that, under UHS policy, you are obligated to report such acts, if you become aware of any questionable conduct, to your respective police departments and/or Title IX Coordinators.

Last, in light of the new guidance issued by the Department of Education on Title IX compliance and the “Not Alone” report issued by the White House, I want to inform you all that I have asked Richard Walker, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Services, and Dona Cornell, Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs, to jointly oversee the Chancellor’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Advisory Committee. This Advisory Committee is formally charged with advising me, as Chancellor of the University of Houston System, on matters relating to the System’s compliance with various mandates related to this topic. This committee will be comprised of members from every component within UHS and will identify and promote System-wide opportunities for education, prevention efforts and community awareness, including student-led initiatives in the area of sexual assault, domestic/dating violence and stalking.

Again, please do your part to make our respective campus community a safe one for everyone. Further, if you have any questions regarding this effort, or if you are a victim of sex discrimination of any kind, please contact your respective Title IX Coordinators to get more information about on- and off- campus resources that are available to you. If you wish to make an anonymous report, please use My Safe Campus.

With warm regards,

Renu Khator