About OIE

The Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) OIE oversees the review, investigation, resolution, and coordination of supportive resources for all reports of discrimination and discriminatory harassment at Columbia University, whether the respondent is a student, faculty member, staff member, affiliate, or a Recognized Student Group.

This oversight includes:


In addition to incident oversight and support, OIE develops and implements University-wide policies and procedures that address all forms of discrimination and discriminatory harassment based on protected class, as well as prohibited romantic and/or sexual relationships. OIE also monitors reporting obligations to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws and delivers comprehensive training programs for students, faculty, staff, and affiliates. OIE maintains the University’s Equal Opportunity portfolio, which includes oversight of the academic hiring process and federal and state EEO compliance reporting. In addition, OIE serves as host of the Metro New York and Southern Connecticut Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC).

[1] These policies also include the University’s Duty to Report and Managers & Supervisors Duty to Report & Act policies, Columbia’s Romantic & Sexual Relationship policies, accommodation policies, and the Interim Title IX Grievance Process. Conduct that may violate Title IX includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and domestic violence as defined by Title IX.

Divisions

Case Management
Equal Opportunity Compliance and Recruitment
Faculty and Staff Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment
HERC
Protection of Minors
Student Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment
Student Title IX
Training & Education

OIE Divisions

OIE carries out this work through its specialized divisions: Case Management; Equal Opportunity Compliance and Recruitment; Faculty and Staff Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment; HERC; Operations; Protection of Minors; Student Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment; Student Title IX; and Training and Education. 

Case Management

The Case Management Division provides neutral, trauma-informed support to students, faculty, staff, and affiliates involved in matters of discrimination, discriminatory harassment, or gender-based misconduct. Case Managers coordinate supportive measures, reasonable accommodations, interim protective measures, and referrals to campus and community resources. They also help parties understand and navigate their rights and responsibilities under University policies. As non-confidential University resources, Case Managers adhere to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and assist both Complainants and Respondents in reviewing resolution options including Mediation, Restorative Justice, Training and Education, No-Contact Directives, and Formal Investigations. They provide support throughout both informal and formal processes, working in close collaboration with all OIE divisions and University partners.

Equal Opportunity Compliance and Recruitment

The Equal Opportunity Compliance and Recruitment Division partners with schools, departments, and programs to advance the University-wide goal of attracting, recruiting, and retaining a faculty and staff community. The Division assists hiring units in developing plans that recognize and address organizational and procedural bias, equips search committees with effective tools and guidance, and supports the use of applicant evaluation and interview metrics. It also works proactively with departments to strengthen candidate pipelines and expand outreach efforts.  In addition, the division is also responsible for the Academic Search and Recruiting (ASR) system.

Faculty and Staff Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment 

The Faculty and Staff Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Division is responsible for preventing and responding to discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and retaliation involving University faculty, staff, or affiliates. The Division develops and administers policies and procedures addressing prohibited conduct in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws, including Title VI, VII and IX. It provides support to individuals seeking to bring complaints against University faculty, staff, or affiliates, and oversees resolution processes including informal resolutions, investigations, and the enforcement of the University’s Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policies and Procedures for Faculty and Staff.

Higher Education Recruitment Consortium

The Metro New York and Southern Connecticut Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC) is a nonprofit consortium of colleges, universities, and related groups committed to improving higher education recruitment practices and workplace culture to strengthen our institutions and better serve the communities they support.

Operations

The Operations Division provides administrative, operational, and financial support across all OIE divisions. It manages sensitive and confidential inquiries; maintains OIE databases, software, reporting mechanisms, and compliance tracking; and oversees OIE’s websites. The Division also conducts research and data analysis to produce actionable insights that inform strategic planning, policy development, and continuous improvement.

Protection of Minors

The Protection of Minors Division ensures that all individuals involved with Columbia programs that engage minors adhere to standards of conduct and comply with all applicable University Policies. Its responsibilities include overseeing the registration of programs involving minors, providing required training for individuals who work with minors, and ensuring compliance with mandatory reporting obligations related to suspected abuse and maltreatment.  The Division also serves as a resource to safeguard the well-being of minors participating in University programs and investigates issues or concerns involving minors.

Student Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment 

The Student Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Division addresses discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and retaliation involving students and Recognized Student Groups. The Division develops and implements policies and procedures governing prohibited conduct in alignment with applicable anti-discrimination and discriminatory harassment laws. It provides support to individuals seeking to bring complaints against University students or Recognized Student Groups and oversees the full range of resolution processes including investigations, facilitated alternative resolutions, and the enforcement of the University’s Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy and Procedures for Students.

Student Title IX

The Student Title IX Division addresses sex discrimination and sex-based harassment, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, and retaliation involving students. The Division develops and enforces policies and procedures that address prohibited conduct in accordance with Title IX, New York State’s Enough is Enough law, and other relevant laws and policies. It provides support to students, faculty, staff, affiliates, and non-affiliates seeking to bring complaints against University students and oversees a range of resolution processes including investigations, facilitated alternative resolutions, and the administration of the Title IX & Related Misconduct Policy and Procedures for Students. In addition, the Division delivers training on Title IX and New York State law requirements, facilitates accommodations for pregnant and parenting students, and promotes awareness of rights and responsibilities. 

Training and Education

The Training and Education Division develops and delivers prevention, compliance, and educational programs for students, faculty, staff, administrators, and other University stakeholders. It ensures that all members of the community receive training under federal, state, and local laws educational programs throughout the University and is responsible for ensuring that all students, faculty, and staff receive training in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws governing discrimination and discriminatory harassment, including sex-based harassment and discrimination. The Division also facilitates policy education for faculty and staff, and, when appropriate, supports mediations and restorative processes for students, faculty and staff.