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Case Management

Division of Case Management

The Division of Case Management is an important part of the Office of Institutional Equity’s (OIE) efforts to uphold and promote Columbia University’s commitment to provide a learning, working, and campus living environment free from gender-based misconduct, discrimination, and discriminatory harassment. Case Managers help foster a nurturing and vibrant community founded on its members' fundamental dignity and worth. The Division of Case Management is comprised of cross-trained professionals who work with parties through a trauma-informed lens. Case Managers are non-confidential University resources who adhere to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and strive to protect privacy to the greatest extent possible when sharing essential information, as needed, to assist parties appropriately.

Role of Case Management

Case Managers are knowledgeable in the policies governed by the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE), such as the Title IX and Related Misconduct Policy and Procedures for Students, Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policies and Procedures for Students, and Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policies and Procedures for Faculty and Staff, and serve as a neutral resource to help parties understand their rights within the scope and parameters of the policies. 

When meeting with Complainants (individuals who files a complaint, or had a complaint filed on their behalf by a third-party and/or mandated reporter) or Respondents (individuals responding to an allegation of a Policy(s) violation), Case Managers take care to review resolution options that may be available for consideration, such as Mediation, Restorative Justice, Training and Education, No Contact Directive (NCD), including ensuring an understanding of the scope of parameters, and Formal Investigation. Case Managers also discuss supportive resources, reasonable accommodations, interim protective measures, and may facilitate dialogue to learn clarifying information about the reported incident.

Case Managers may help to facilitate the following:

  • Academic support, including notifying academic advisors regarding class absences, dropping classes, withdrawal, exam extensions, etc.;
  • Referrals to confidential and non-confidential, supportive resources on campus;
  • Emergency housing and/or exploring housing options;
  • Referrals to Attorney-Advisors, where applicable;
  • Identification of other supportive services on and off campus to meet students’ needs;
  • Support for navigation of OIE processes from filing a complaint to resolution, as appropriate and applicable, including:
    • Support throughout resolution processes, including through the investigative and/or hearing process;
    • Support and assistance in executing Alternative Resolutions such as Training and Policy Education, Mediation, and Restorative Justice;
  • Support throughout the time of a student’s enrollment at the University, including after the resolution process has concluded; and
  • Execution of Informal Resolution Options.

The Division of Case Management may provide limited assistance to Complainants who are not currently enrolled or affiliated with the University to help facilitate supportive measures through off-campus and community resources.

Case Management and Divisions within the Office of Institutional Equity

Case Managers partner with the Division of Title IX, Student Division for Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment (the Student Division), Faculty and Staff Division for Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment (the Faculty and Staff Division), and Division of Training and Education to offer support to students, faculty, and staff who may be a Complainant or a Respondent. Below is an overview of how Case Managers within the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) engage each Division to support resolution processes and the well-being of students, faculty, and staff.

Faculty and Staff Division for Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment

Case Managers may refer incidents beyond the scope of OIE policies to University partner offices to help foster a culture of safety and respect. Case Managers partner with the Division of Training and Education to facilitate Informal Resolutions (Mediation/Facilitated Dialogue or Targeted Training and Education). Case Managers also serve as a supportive resource for Complaints/Respondents who engage in a Formal Investigative process to ensure parties are connected to Office of Work/Life, Ombuds Office, additional University resources through HR benefits, and an Attorney-Advisor, if needed.

Division of Title IX

Case Managers may conduct Administrative Resolution - Policy Education and facilitate supportive and corrective action sessions to address allegations of misconduct, awareness, and accountability. Upon a student's return from a sanctioned suspension, or Leaves of Absence, Case Managers will coordinate and facilitate the Support for Returning Students (SPRS) program to help reintegrate the student into the campus community.

Student Division for Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment

Case Managers may conduct Administrative Resolution - Mandatory Educational Resolution (MER) meetings with Respondents, centered around restorative frameworks, to address allegations of discrimination and/or discriminatory harassment based on protected class. Case Managers also serve as a supportive resource for Complainants/Respondents when a Formal Investigation is underway to help promote safety and well-being throughout the resolution process.

Case Management and Campus Partners

Case Managers collaborate with campus partners, including the Title IX Coordinator, Sexual Violence Response (SVR), Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS), Columbia University Public Safety (CUPS), Disability Services (DS), Deans of Wellness, Deans of Students, Teachers College, Barnard College, Alumni Relations, Human Resources (HR) - Central HR and Columbia University Irving Medical Center HR, and Office of Professionalism (OOP) to help navigate a variety of challenges by making the appropriate referrals for individuals to receive additional outreach and intervention.