Policy procedures
Reporting Concerns
Wayne State University is committed to providing a safe, inclusive learning environment. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Wayne State must respond to conduct that is determined to create a hostile environment. May 2024 guidance from U.S. Dept of Education clarifies that, “The fact that harassment may involve conduct that includes speech in a public setting or speech that is also motivated by political or religious beliefs, however, does not relieve a school of its obligation to respond under Title VI....if the harassment creates a hostile environment in school for a student or students.” The university has formal processes for reviewing and, if needed, addressing complaints through the reporting processes below:
Reporting discrimination or harassment
Diversity and Inclusion is a cornerstone value of Wayne State University. Our campus community is one where pluralism is welcome and celebrated. We encourage you to report any incidents of bias, discrimination, harassment or retaliation based on race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, height, weight, marital status, or disability to the Office of Equal Opportunity.
Reporting sexual misconduct
Wayne State University is committed to maintaining a safe living, learning and working environment for our campus community. Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities. Anyone who experiences sexual misconduct is encouraged to report the incident to law enforcement or the university's Title IX coordinator by submitting an online report, dialing 313-577-9999, or emailing TitleIX@wayne.edu.
Reporting access barriers
Wayne State University strives to ensure that campus facilities are accessible and barrier-free. If you encounter inoperable doors or elevators, blocked pathways, or any other accessibility problem, report the barrier by completing this form You may also report the problem to the ADA coordinator at ADACoordinator@wayne.edu or by calling the Office of Equal Opportunity at 313-577-2280.
Reporting to Wayne State Police
Wayne State Police are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 313-577-2222. As a member of the Wayne State community, you are automatically signed up to receive Wayne State Alerts, which will notify you of important closures, emergencies and other incidents impacting campus. Anyone outside of Wayne State (including parents) can sign up for alerts by texting WAYNESTATEALERT to 77295.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
Wayne State University students are responsible for devoting themselves to the serious pursuit of learning while respecting the rights and opinions of others, including faculty, university leadership, and their fellow students. Students should expect the highest degree of excellence and support possible within the university's resources. Students also have the right to protection from unreasonable or capricious actions by faculty, staff and student organizations.
In turn, students also have the responsibility to ensure that their actions in and out of the classroom comports with Wayne State’s longstanding Student Code of Conduct. Our code of conduct helps foster a campus environment of respect and excellence by:
- Establishing the expectation that students are accountable for their conduct
- Describing acceptable student conduct, both academic and non-academic
- Describing disciplinary policies and procedures
- Specifying the rights of students and other parties
- Specifying prohibited conduct and sanctions to be imposed if such conduct occurs
Read more about student rights and responsibilities, the Student Code of Conduct, and frequently asked questions about the Code on the Dean of Students website.
What happens if you are in violation of a policy?
Persons engaging in substantially disruptive, threatening, prohibited or illegal conduct are expected to cease and desist such conduct immediately when requested to do so by an appropriate university representative. The failure to comply with such a request may result in university actions, including and not limited to removal from a program, facility or activity, and/or civil or criminal enforcement (e.g., arrest) if the conduct violates the law. These responsive actions are applied in a content-neutral manner.
Students engaging in such conduct may also be subject to discipline under Wayne State University’s Student Code of Conduct, as appropriate, up to and including expulsion from the university. University employees engaging in such conduct may be subject to discipline as appropriate, up to and including termination of employment.
The Wayne State University Police Department has the authority and the responsibility to take necessary actions to restore normal operations. Their actions may include and are not limited to: making additional requests to end the substantially disruptive, threatening, prohibited, or illegal conduct; removal of individuals from the location; and initiating civil and/or criminal enforcement if laws are being violated (e.g., arrests).