PLAN, Manage Your Professional Development as a Graduate Student
Your graduate student experience is important to us. Please contact Graduate Student Affairs if we can answer any questions or to find out more about our services.
1530 Rackham Building
915 E. Washington St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1070
Phone: (734) 647-7548
Fax: (734) 936-2848
E-mail: gradstudentlife@umich.edu
Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, a hate crime is a "crime of violence, property damage, or threat that is motivated in whole or in part by an offender's bias based on race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation." Within the State of Michigan, a person is guilty of ethnic intimidation if that person maliciously threatens or physically contacts a person with intent to intimidate, harass or damage the property of that person because of that person's race, color, religion, gender or national origin.
Bias-related incidents are non-criminal activities that harm another because of that person's race, color, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital status and veteran status.
If you are the victim of a hate crime and it is an emergency situation, dial 9-1-1 to be connected to the Department of Public Safety (on-campus) or Ann Arbor Police Department (off-campus). If you believe you have experienced a hate crime, you may report it directly to the Department of Public Safety (on-campus) at 734-763-1131 or the Ann Arbor Police (off-campus) at 734-994-2911. The Expect Respect website requests that reports to DPS or AAPD are also reported to the University's bias incident reporting system for statistical and follow-up purposes.
Hate crimes and bias-related incidents are not necessarily discrimination. Unlawful discrimination or discriminatory harassment refers to specific conduct prohibited by law that unfairly treats people differently because of their race, sex, gender identity or gender expression, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, height, weight or Vietnam-era veteran status.
If you are the victim of discrimination or harassment, or think you may be, talk to someone. Discrimination or harassment for any reason is not tolerated at the University of Michigan. If you have been made to feel uncomfortable, intimidated, or targeted because of your race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or Vietnam-era veteran status, you should talk to someone about your concerns. There are several resources available for consultation related to discrimination and harassment. If you would prefer to talk to someone in a confidential setting, see the section on Confidential Counseling for suggested resources. If you are interested in information about informal or formal resolution, see Advice for informal resolution for suggested individuals to talk to.
The University of Michigan offers a variety of counseling services for its students, faculty and staff who wish to discuss their concerns in a confidential and safe environment. Confidential counseling is an excellent resource if you are not sure that what you have experienced constitutes discrimination and/or you would like to consult with someone confidentially to sort out what you have experienced and options for addressing the matter, should you choose to take action.
Students seeking confidential counseling services may contact any of the resources below:
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) services are free, confidential, and available to currently enrolled students. Services include: brief counseling for individuals, couples and groups; consultation to students, faculty, staff, and parents; assistance with referrals to community resources; and crisis interventions.
3100 Michigan Union, 530 S State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Phone: (734) 764-8312
Fax: (734) 763-0454
The Ombuds office is a place where student questions, complaints and concerns about the functioning of the University can be discussed confidentially in a safe environment. The Office offers informal dispute resolution services, provides resources and referrals, and helps students consider the options available to them.
Please contact the Ombudsman, Robert B. Holmes, Ph.D.
or (734) 763-3545
6015 Fleming Administration Building
503 Thompson Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1340
Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FASAP) is a University of Michigan program that offers a number of services designed to help staff, faculty, and their immediate family members with personal difficulties encountered at both work and home. A student, who is also an University employee (i.e., a GSI/GSSA/GSRA) is eligible for assistance from FASAP. Services provided by FASAP include:
All FASAP services are free of charge and confidential.
Phone: (734) 936-8660
Confidential Fax: (734) 936-8893
E-mail:
In addition to confidential counseling resources, students may seek advice and support on matters related to discrimination and harassment or bias from the following offices:
The Center for the Education of Women (CEW) provides professionally trained and experienced counselors who work within a developmental framework to help women and men consider their options, make informed choices, and both define and resolve problems, while focusing on issues of achieving balance between work and family responsibilities.
330 E. Liberty St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Phone: (734) 764-6005
Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC) provides services for the U-M community related to sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, sexual harassment, and stalking. SAPAC offers crisis intervention, outreach, counseling, advocacy, consultation, training, awareness, and prevention.
Phone: (734) 998-9368
24-hour Crisis Line: (734) 936-3333
The Spectrum Center provides a comprehensive range of education, information and advocacy services to create and maintain an open, safe and inclusive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and similarly-identified students, faculty, and staff, their families and friends, and the campus community at large.
3200 Michigan Union
530 S. State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Phone: (763) 763-4186
It is often difficult to confront a person who is engaging in discrimination or harassment. There are occasions, however, when you feel able to speak to the person engaging in discrimination or harassment to tell that person that the behavior is inappropriate and to stop. This can be done in person, by telephone, e-mail or letter, and may resolve the matter without further intervention. Self-help resources are available to assist with managing difficult or sensitive discussions.
Informal resolution is an optional method of addressing concerns. Although it is not an appropriate option in all situations, it can offer a number of benefits such as preserving relationships, correcting misunderstandings, and giving you control over the outcome. If you feel that you have been discriminated against or harassed, and would like to explore options for informal resolution, consult with any of the resource persons listed below:
If informal attempts at resolution are unsuccessful, or you do not feel safe or comfortable enough to speak to the person, then you may want to explore avenues for formal action, including what to expect if you file a formal complaint.
We recognize that it may be difficult to report suspected discrimination and harassment or bias incidents, but doing so is essential to maintain an inclusive community characterized by civility and respect. Should you choose to file a formal complaint, there are supports in place to explain what to expect and assist you through the process. You may decide to seek informal resolution of the matter at any time in the process.
To report a bias-related incident online, please use the Online Hate Crime and Bias Incident Reporting form or call (734) 615-BIAS (2427) during regular business hours.
Rackham Graduate School, Graduate Student Affairs provides a Resolution Officer to assist with questions regarding Graduate School and University policies and procedures, complaints, concerns and advocacy. Offers dispute resolution services, provides resources and referrals, and can offer alternative resolutions in consultation with other offices as appropriate.
Phone: (734) 647-7548
Office of Institutional Equity serves as a resource to the University community on issues of diversity, respect and inclusiveness, provides training on these issues as well as discrimination and harassment, investigates or provides assistance with discrimination and harassment complaints, and assists with reasonable accommodations for employees and general accessibility issues.
Phone: (734) 763-0235
TTY: (734) 647-1388
Office of Student Conflict Resolution (OSCR) provides information about the Statement of Student Rights & Responsibilities and processes complaints of violations of the Statement. The office also provides mediated discussion to help students resolve conflict and helps students learn skills for managing conflict in daily life.
Phone: (734) 936-6308
