Learning Environment

What is Mistreatment?

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) states, “Mistreatment, either intentional or unintentional, occurs when behavior shows disrespect for the dignity of others and unreasonably interferes with the learning process.”

Examples of Mistreatment:

• Physical violence or abuse
• Threats to fail, give lower grades, or submit a poor evaluation based on gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or refusal to grant personal favors
• Verbally abusing, belittling, or humiliating a student
• Subjection to offensive remarks related to gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, etc.
• Unwarranted exclusion from reasonable learning opportunities
• Exploitation of students in any manner (e.g., performing personal errands)

Actions that are not mistreatment:

• Being “put on the spot”
• Being held accountable or held to high expectations
• Being reprimanded or having actions corrected

Reference: AAMC Student Mistreatment Experiences Classifications

• Publicly humiliated
• Threatened with physical harm and/or physically harmed
• Required to perform personal services
• Subjected to the following behaviors:
  • Unwanted sexual advances; asked to exchange sexual favors for grades or other rewards; and/or offensive, sexist remarks/names
  • Racially or ethnically offensive remarks/names
  • Offensive remarks, names related to sexual orientation
  • Negative or offensive behavior(s) based on your personal beliefs or personal characteristics other than your gender, race/ethnicity, or sexual orientation
• Subjected to discriminatory behaviors such as:
  • Denied opportunities for training or rewards based on gender, race or ethnicity, or sexual orientation rather than performance
  • Received lower evaluations/grades based on gender, race or ethnicity, or sexual orientation rather than performance

How do I report mistreatment?

Online Reporting Options:

Anonymous Reporting Hotline

Any instances of mistreatment can be reported anonymously via phone or online through Harvard University's Anonymous Reporting Hotline. The hotline is a 24/7 anonymous mechanism for reporting mistreatment or any other student concerns. This reporting portal allows students to submit concerns to an outsourced third party that directs reports to the appropriate office: Title IX concerns to the HMS Title IX officer and all other student concerns to the Dean for Students and Director of Student Affairs, copying the Dean for Medical Education.

Report Concerns in the Learning Environment (Including Mistreatment)

Online reports are received, reviewed and responded to by the Dean for Students and the Director of Student Affairs.

Report Accolades in the Learning Environment

Online reports are received, reviewed and responded to by the Dean for Students and the Director of Student Affairs.

Additional Reporting Options:

Harvard Ombuds Office

The Ombuds Office is a confidential resource available to anyone from Harvard’s community.

Resource for Online Anonymous Disclosures (ROAD)

You may submit anonymous disclosures of sexual harassment or other sexual misconduct to the Office for Gender Equity (OGE) by using the Resource for Online Anonymous Disclosures (ROAD). Through the ROAD, you can let us know of a concern, communicate with a member of OGE, and access resources without revealing your identity.

Harvard University Disability Grievance Policy and Procedure

Harvard University is committed to providing equal opportunities for qualified community members with disabilities to access and participate in academic, social, employment, cultural, and recreational programs at Harvard. This commitment is grounded not only in disability law, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and the ADA Amendments of 2008, but also in Harvard's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for all members of the community. The Disability Grievance policy and procedure is intended to provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints by any Harvard employee, student enrolled in a Harvard course or program, or other community member who believes that they have been discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Course and Clerkship Evaluations

Students are encouraged to report instances of mistreatment that occur during a course or clerkship. Reporting these incidents helps the School and its affiliated hospitals sustain an environment of collegiality and mutual support.

Direct Reporting to the Dean for Students

Students have the option and are encouraged to report incidents to the immediate attention of the Dean for Students, who will treat such reports with discretion.

Procedures for Handling Reports

When mistreatment reports are filed, the response will follow set procedures described in the Student Handbook (7.16 Student Mistreatment Policies & Procedures).

Here is a link to all Student Mistreatment Prevention & Outcomes Reports (login required).

Allegations of Sexual and Gender- Based Harassment

HMS students wishing to report a violation of the University Policy should contact the Harvard University Office for Sexual and Gender-Based Dispute Resolution (“ODR”) or an HMS Title IX Coordinator.