Reporting Options

You can choose to report any incident to Berklee, law enforcement, both, or neither. Berklee has no time limit for accepting reports of equity and Title IX violations, although our ability to investigate and respond is higher the earlier we are notified. In addition to resolving a complaint, Berklee offers academic, housing, and employment interim support measures, as well as other services to help you stay engaged and committed to your normal day-to-day activities, as well as navigate this difficult time.

Filing a Complaint with Berklee

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about what happens when a report is made to Berklee's Equity and Title IX team.

You may file a complaint with the assistant vice president for equity and Title IX/Title IX coordinator, who will explain your options, may initiate an investigation, and pursue a resolution. Possible sanctions for the responding party, if found responsible, range from a formal warning to suspension, expulsion (for students), and termination (for employees). This type of complaint is governed by Berklee's Equity and Title IX Policies and Processes. These policies prohibit acts of discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct, including, but not limited to, sexual assault or harassment, domestic/dating violence, and stalking.

You can contact the Equity team or file a report online.

Sarah Onori
Assistant Vice President of Equity and Title IX/Title IX Coordinator
617-747-6671
equity@berklee.edu

File a Report

Note: You may use this  form to report  anonymously by not providing any identifying information in the form.

Berklee employees who are submitting an online report per the Responsible Employee Policy are required to identify themselves and provide their contact information in the form.

Filing a Criminal Complaint

You can also choose to file a criminal complaint if you wish. You may do this through the following services:

  • Berklee Public Safety: 617-747-8888
  • Boston Police Department: 617-343-4400
  • The Victim’s Rights Law Center: 617-399-6720 (provides pro bono legal services to support you in connection with a criminal complaint)

What Happens After I File?

When the assistant vice president for equity and Title IX/Title IX coordinator receives the report, they review it and assign someone to meet with the reporting party and discuss rights, support resources, and reporting options, including the right to report to law enforcement. These options remain available to parties at any part of the process or after the process. Support measures available to both parties include work/academic adjustments, alternative living arrangements, no-contact orders, etc. 

Following this meeting with the reporting party, Berklee reviews the available information and decides the best procedure to resolve the case. Factors in this decision include:

  • The wishes of the complainant/reporting party.
  • The nature/pattern of the reported conduct.
  • The risk to the community.
  • The feasibility of collecting information about the reported behavior.

Occasionally, we determine that the incident described is not an equity or Title IX violation; in that case, appropriate resources and referrals are provided.

What are my options for resolving the matter?

If the matter is an equity or Title IX case, the following options exist for addressing it, beyond support measures: 

  • Informal resolution, which includes educational conversations and conflict resolution 
  • Formal investigation

Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution means parties interact with a trained, neutral facilitator. This may be in person, or it can proceed without any in-person meetings. This process is not available for sexual assault or other forms of violence. Through this process, parties can develop a mutually agreeable resolution. If they do not, Berklee will still offer all available resources, which can include a formal investigation.

It’s important to note that conflict resolution and alternative resolution are for cases in which possible sanctions are relatively minor. Neither conflict resolution nor alternative resolution is an available resolution method for cases involving sexual assault or other violent behavior.

Formal Investigation 

If the case proceeds to an investigation under Berklee’s Equity and Title IX Policies and Processes, you can learn more about the investigative process.