The Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor has approved a new campus Anti-Bullying policy (650-76) effective December 1, 2021. The policy underwent an extensive development and consultation process as described below.
Background; Policy Goals. In 2016, President Napolitano released guidance to the UC system on Abusive Conduct and Bullying in the Workplace. At UCR, this was supplemented and promoted through Guidance from the UCR Provost. But neither document created a new prohibition on bullying or abusive conduct—these documents instead communicated the UC’s views regarding such conduct and explained how such conduct could, in some circumstances, be addressed under existing policies.
The 2019 Campus Culture Task Force Report recognized the need to strengthen the commitment to addressing and eliminating bullying and abusive conduct. In 2020, the Communications and Policy Coordination Group (CPCG), which comprises the Vice Chancellor and Chief Diversity Officer, the Vice Provost for Academic Personnel, the Ombuds, the Chief Compliance Officer, and representatives of the Academic Personnel Office, the Academic Senate, Student Affairs, Human Resources, and other campus divisions, began the policy development process for a new Anti-Bullying Policy.
Policy Development Process; Academic Senate Review. The draft policy was initially modeled on policies and guidelines from other UC campuses, including Berkeley and Merced. The draft policy was provided to the UCR Academic Senate for review, which prompted a number of comments and questions from Senate committees in August 2020. This important feedback was carefully considered as CPCG worked to further refine the draft. CPCG also collected feedback from other stakeholders. The updated draft policy was then sent for a second review to the Academic Senate and additional feedback was received in June 2021, which was incorporated into the draft. Finally, the policy was posted for 30-day notice and comment period to the UCR community ending on October 20, 2021.
Key Elements of Policy. The new policy:
• Applies to all UCR employees, including faculty and staff. It also applies to certain non-affiliates (as described in the policy). It does not apply to students; student conduct is regulated under the Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations and Students (PACAOS).
• Prohibits and defines Bullying or Abusive Conduct (as defined in the policy).
• Communicates the obligations of management to maintain a culture in which Bullying or Abusive Conduct are contrary to its norms and not condoned or tolerated.
• Includes provisions about reporting options and obligations. UCR employees or students who experience or witness Bullying or Abusive Conduct are encouraged to report this conduct, and the policy has information about (existing) ways to report or file a complaint. Supervisors, managers, and administrators who receive a report or witness prohibited conduct shall consult with ELR, APO, or the VPAR when responding to a report.
• Has information about campus resources.
• Includes FAQs.
Systemwide Policy. On October 20, 2021, Systemwide Human Resources and Academic Personnel offices disseminated a draft Abusive Conduct/Bullying in the Workplace policy for systemwide review. The comment period for this policy extends through February 7, 2022. The UCR Policy Office is closely monitoring the progress on this proposed policy and will adjust the local UCR Anti-Bullying policy, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, to align with the systemwide policy, if and when necessary.
If you have questions regarding this policy, please contact the Chief Compliance Office at policy@ucr.edu or 951-827-8246.