How to Respond to Critical Issues

A Guide for University Employees

EWU is dedicated to a principled campus community free from discrimination and sexual misconduct

EWU's partnership with EWU employees to providing a safe and principled environment.

As an EWU employee, you play an important role in ensuring our campus communities are welcoming places that are safe, discrimination free, and ethical. The university is dedicated to responding to all forms of discrimination including sexual misconduct (gender discrimination, sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, stalking and non-consensual sexual activity), improper, unethical or concerning conduct. The university has established procedures and policies to address these matters. The Critical Issues brochure is an employee guide to help you respond to conduct you become aware of or experience as an employee.

Complaint Reporting

To Report a Complaint of Any Kind - Click Here!

What do I do if I become aware of or experience any form of sexual misconduct such as gender discrimination, sexual harassment, intimate partner violence (relationship violence), stalking and non-consensual sexual activity (Title IX Complaints)?

Mandatory Reporting: Under EWU policy 402-01, as an employee you are a mandated reporter involving any information you are made aware of related to sexual misconduct regardless of whether the person subjected to the sexual misconduct wants to file a complaint. As such, you are required to notify the Title IX Coordinator within 24 hours. You may notify the Title IX Coordinator telephonically (509-359-2021) or by email (cir@ewu.edu).

Self-Reporting: If as an employee you have been subjected to sexual misconduct you are not required to self-report. However, you are encouraged to report any incidents involving sexual misconduct so that EWU may promptly respond, stop the alleged misconduct and offer you resources.

Reporting Options: Individuals (Complainants) subjected to sexual misconduct may report criminally with law enforcement, administratively with EWU or both. Complainants may also elect to file a complaint anonymously. However, anonymous reports may prevent EWU from conducting an investigation. Complainants desirous of filing a complaint alleging sexual misconduct may file a complaint in person, online, via email, or anonymously. Please refer them to the Title IX Coordinator, listed reporting options, or the complaint reporting link on this page.

Reporting Options Contact Information:

Dean of Students - 509-359-7924 or DOS@ewu.edu

Office of Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action - 509-359-2021 or eoaa@ewu.edu

Title IX Coordinator - 509-359-6724 or titleix@ewu.edu

Student Support & Advocacy - 509-359-7924 or mhelmerick@ewu.edu

EWU Police - 509-359-7676

Cheney Police - 509-535-9233

Confidential Resources: Complainants who wish to speak to someone in confidence about their reporting options before deciding whether they want to file a criminal or administrative complaint should be directed to or use the confidential resources listed below. Confidential resources are not mandated reporters of sexual misconduct and will not report to the Title IX Coordinator or law enforcement.

Confidential Resources Contact Information:

Sexual Assault & Family Trauma (Advocates available to guide complainants subjected to sexual misconduct or any crime through criminal or university process 24 hours a day) - 509-747-8224

YWCA Intimate Partner Violence / Relationship Violence (Advocates available to guide complainants subjected to intimate partner violence through the criminal or university process 24 hours a day) - 509-326-2255

First Call for Help - Suicide & Mental Health (Provides crisis intervention and community services information 24 hours a day) - 509-838-4428

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) - Counselors available to any EWU student. Cheney campus - 509-359-2366 Spokane campus - 509-838-1398

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Counselors and legal consultants available to all Washington State Employees - 360-407-9490

For additional information regarding Title IX reporting, resources and rights visit www.ewu.edu/titleix

What do I do if I become aware of or experience discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (other than sexual harassment or sexual violence), pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, age, marital status, families with children, protected veteran or military status, HIV or hepatitis C, status as a mother breastfeeding her child, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability (Discrimination complaints)?

Other than Title IX (sexual misconduct), you are not mandated to report other forms of discriminatory conduct. However, as an employee, you are strongly encouraged to report alleged discriminatory conduct listed so that EWU can respond promptly, address misconduct and offer resources to the Complainant.
Complainants who wish to discuss reporting options for discrimination complaints should be directed to or contact the Director of EEO/AA or the Title IX Coordinator.

What do I do if I become aware or experience conduct involving violence or criminal activity?

Violence / Crimes: If you become aware or experience conduct involving violence call 911 if the violence is actively occurring. If the violence is not actively occurring but you are concerned for the safety of yourself or others contact EWU Police. As an employee, you are required to report all incidents involving violence or crimes that occur on EWU's campus per EWU policy 603-01. You are also encouraged to report the alleged violence or criminal activity to EWU administrators such as the Title IX Coordinator for complaints against employees and Dean of Students for complaints against students.

What do I do if I become aware or experience mental health concerns, such as suicidal thoughts, depression, or other conduct that may pose a safety concern to self or others?

Mental Health: If you have an immediate concern of safety for self or others please contact 911 for an immediate response. Otherwise, refer students to CAPS, employees to EAP, or both to First Call for Help (Suicide & Mental Health).

First Call for Help - Suicide & Mental Health (Provides crisis intervention and community services information 24 hours a day) - 509-838-4428

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) - Counselors available to any EWU student. Cheney campus - 509-359-2366 Spokane campus - 509-838-1398

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Counselors and legal consultants available to all Washington State Employees - 360-407-9490

What do I do if I become aware or experience conduct which I believe may be a violation of Unversity policies, including, but not limited to, Bullying, Fraternization and Ethics?

What do I do if I or someone is in need of accommodations based on a disability?

Who can I contact regarding issues of diversity and inclusion?

What can I do if I become aware of improper governmant conduct and wish to file a Whistleblower complaint?

What can I do if I have a question about the Washington State Ethics Laws or wish to file a State Ethics Complaint?

Who can I contact regarding compliance concerns?