All Northeastern faculty, staff, on-site staff, and most student workers are Mandatory University Reporters, excepting only those employees who are designated as confidential resources. It is the responsibility of mandated university reporters to promptly report any and all information received pertaining to allegations/reports of discrimination or sexual violence.
FAQs: Mandatory University Reporters
Am I a mandatory university reporter?
Anyone who is a Northeastern employee who is not a confidential resource is a mandatory university reporter. This includes faculty, staff, on-site staff, resident assistants, orientation leaders, teaching assistants, graduate assistants, or any other student worker role where other students may reasonably believe obligate that student worker to report allegations of a Prohibited Offense. This includes student-employees in Residence Life, the NUin Program, a Dialogue of Citizens program, or an Alternative Spring Break program.
The only confidential sources on campus are University Health and Counseling Services (Boston based), FIND@Northestern, Counseling and Psychological Services (Oakland), Office of Prevention and Education at Northeastern (including services via the Sexual Violence Resource Center, Confidential Resource Advising, and Community Consultation), and Spiritual Advisors at the Center for Spirituality, Dialogue, and Services. Read more about confidential sources on our Support for Students page.
What is my role as a mandatory university reporter?
As a Mandatory University Reporter, you are required to promptly (within 24 hours of receipt) file an OUEC report (open in a new window)(open in new window)with any and all information received that pertains to allegations or reports about discrimination or sexual violence from any Northeastern employee or student. It is also your responsibility to ensure that the reporting person is safe, encourage them to report themselves and seek assistance, and not to promise confidentiality, but to ensure privacy.
What is NOT my role as a mandatory university reporter?
As a Mandatory University Reporter, you are NOT responsible for investigating. It is not your role to ask detailed questions or gather additional information beyond what the impacted person is sharing with you. Instead, you should file an OUEC report as soon as possible and support the impacted person or people to the best of your ability. Be sure to remind students and colleagues that while you cannot keep their disclosure confidential, but you will only share with people who need to know — OUEC and in some cases, NUPD or local law enforcement.
I’m not sure if I need to report something. What should I do?
If a Northeastern community member tells you about past or present experiences of discrimination or sexual violence, you must report all provided information. If you are unsure whether something should be reported, we encourage you to reach out to us!
You can reach our office via email at ouec@northeastern.edu or by phone 617-373-4644
What if the reporter requests confidentiality?
If a reporting student or employee requests confidentiality, the university will seek to honor their request to the extent it can do so consistent with its obligation to provide a safe and non-discriminatory learning, living, and working environment for all members of the university community. As a mandated reporter, you still must provide all information to OUEC who will review the case in order to determine whether there is a risk of serious harm to the affected party or to any member of the university community.
I’m worried about someone’s safety. What should I do?
If the reporting student or employee informs you that they don’t feel safe, or if you have concerns about your safety or the safety of others, we strongly encourage you to contact law enforcement.
- For off-campus concerns in the US or Canada, call 911
- For on-campus concerns, call the NUPD emergency line at 617-373-3333
- For concerns in London, call 999
How do I tell someone that I’m a mandatory university reporter?
If a community member begins to share something with you that you think might fall under the category of discrimination or sexual violence, it’s a good time to remind them of your reporting obligations. Don’t interrupt them, but when there is a natural space, remind them of your obligation to report. You can say something similar to the following:
“I appreciate you trusting me with this information. You might already know this, but I am a university mandated reporter. That means I need to report any information I have about discrimination or sexual violence to the Office for University Equity and Compliance. Northeastern takes these matters very seriously, and I want to make sure I connect you to the best resource I know about. You can absolutely talk to me more about this, but I wanted to make sure you were aware of my obligations so that you could decide if you wanted to tell me more. What questions can I answer about this?”