File a Complaint

Lehman College prohibits any kind of discrimination, mistreatment, aggression, or retaliation on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, partnership status, disability, genetic information, alienage, citizenship, military or veteran status, pregnancy, or status as a victim of domestic violence/stalking/sex offenses, or any other legally prohibited basis in accordance with federal, state and city laws. This applies, whether the incident happens in person or online, on campus or off campus.

How do you file a final complaint?

1. Follow this step-by-step process to file a complaint with Lehman’s Office of Compliance and Diversity and Title IX Coordinator/EEO Investigator.
2. Fill out the complaint form, answer all of the questions, and electronically sign the form.
3. Attach copies of any documents that you think will help the College investigate the case (pictures, emails, text messages, etc.).
4. Once the internal Complaint Form or CUNY’s Discrimination Complaint Form is completed and submitted, the complaint is routed to Lehman’s Office of Compliance and Diversity and Title IX/EEO Investigator Office for review.

What happens after I submit my complaint?

• Once Lehman’s Office of Compliance and Diversity and Title IX/EEO Investigator Office receives the complaint. The Offices review this report thoroughly and take appropriate action, which may include reaching out to the reporting individual for more information or exploring the next steps.
  • During the initial review, the Office(s) may provide the complainant with information about various internal and external mechanisms through which the complaint may be filed, including applicable time limits for filing with each agency.
  • Title IX Coordinator will ensure that complainants in sex discrimination cases are made aware of their Title IX rights, available remedies and resources on and off-campus (such as counseling, local rape crisis center), and interim measures of protection.
  • If the complaint is allegedly discriminatory in nature and an internal complaint is received, as per CUNY guidelines, the Office(s) will upload the complaint on behave of the complainant to the CUNY Discrimination Complainant Portal.
• The next step of the process is for the Offices to ensure that the complaint is being reviewed by the correct office. For example, if the complaint submitted is a student complaint regarding grading and/or other academic issues, the matter will be referred to the Office of Student Affairs.
• The Office(s) will then notify the respondent(s). A respondent is a person or entity who you believe discriminated against you or to have committed Sexual Misconduct against you.
• An investigation will be conducted using methods like written inquiry, field investigation, and investigatory conference.
• The Office(s) will interview the Complainant, Respondent, and any witnesses listed.
• In most cases the investigation will be completed within 180 days. For matters of Sexual Misconduct, the investigation will be completed within 120 days of receiving a formal complaint. The length of the investigation may depend on the particular policy violation, and we ask that you please refer to the applicable CUNY policy.
• Once the investigation is complete, the Office(s) will determine if there is probable cause that an act of discrimination has occurred and will notify the President of the College. However, if the matter is an allegation of Sexual Misconduct or a Title IX matter, the Title IX Coordinator will refer the matter to be adjudicated in accordance with the Policy on Sexual Misconduct.
• The President in consultation with Legal Counsel will determine appropriate action if the preponderance of evidence supports the alleged complaint.
• The Office(s) will notify the complainant and respondent in writing if the alleged allegations were substantiated or not substantiated.
• If the conduct of Respondent is substantiated and they are a member of the faculty or staff, the matter is referred for discipline in accordance with their collective bargaining agreement.

File a Complaint