Internal Complaint Process Georgia State University’s Office of Opportunity Development

What is a complaint? Race Sexual Orientation Color Veteran Status An allegation (charge of wrong doing) involving discrimination, hostile work environment (discriminative), sexual harassment, or protected activity retaliation that is filed by an employee, student, applicant, vendor, contractor, and/or group thereof relative to employment or admission involving: Race Color Religion National Origin Sex Age Sexual Orientation Veteran Status Disability The complaint may arise from a specific personnel action, such as employment, promotion, work assignment, selection for training, disciplinary action, or separation, or it may relate to existing conditions in an organization.

Am I Filing a complaint with the right office? The Office of Opportunity Development handles complaints from: Staff Faculty Vendors Contractors Applicants Students (with complaints against GSU staff, faculty, vendors, visitors, or contractors)

Student v. student complaints Students wishing to file a complaint against another student should file a complaints with Georgia State University’s Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office (DSO) is located in the Georgia State University Student Center on the 3rd floor in Suite 300. For more information about the Dean of Students Office, please call their main office number at (404) 413-1515.

Where is the ODDEP Office Located? 1 Park Place, Suite 527 Downtown Atlanta Campus If you wish to file a complaint, you may call (404) 413-2563 or fill out ODDEP’s Complaint form at https://gsu-lr.entellitrak.com/etk-gsu-lr-prod/

How Long does the process take? After initially contacting the Office of Opportunity Development, Complainants have 10 calendar days to complete and turn their complaint form.

What Happens during the Complaint Process? ODDEP will analyze the facts gathered and issue a determination. Additional documentation and witness statements are gathered. ODDEP will start a formal review or investigation by requesting the Respondent’s answer to the allegations made by the Complainant. ODDEP completes an intake form with the Complainant. ODDEP determines the most appropriate office to address allegations. ODDEP receives notification of a complaint via walk-in, email, referral, or telephone call. ODDEP’s goal is to process a complaint from the intake phase to the end of the investigation within 60 days. The processing of any complaint is completed in a time frame that is responsible and appropriate to the complexities of that specific investigation.

Retaliation after filing a complaint Retaliation against the Complainant(s) is prohibited by University policy and federal/state laws. However, retaliation may still occur. If the Complainant(s) believe they are being or have been retaliated against for filing a complaint, they have every right to file new a separate complaint alleging retaliation based on the participation in the original complaint or protected activity. Examples of protected activity include filing a claim of discrimination and participating as a witness in a discrimination investigation.

How Will I know when the Complaint Process is Over? The complaint process ends when ODDEP distributes a determination of findings which consists of a Final Investigative Summary and Determination Letters. The Complainant(s) and the Respondent(s) will receive Determination Letters indicating whether or not the facts were with or without merit and whether or not the facts warranted a cause, no-cause, or inconclusive finding. A cause finding translates into a finding with merit and in favor of the Complainant’s allegations. A no-cause finding translates into a finding without merit and not in favor of the Complainant(s) allegations. An inconclusive finding translates into a finding where the facts that were gathered during the investigation failed to prove or disprove the Complainant(s) allegations.

What documents can I have a copy of? Once the complaint process is over, documents associated with the complaint are accessible via the State of Georgia’s Open Records Act. For more information on how to obtain copies of these documents, contact the Georgia State University Legal Affairs Office located on-campus at 10 Park Place, 5th floor, Suite 510. The contact number for Legal Affairs is (404) 413-0500.