Reporting discrimination and harassment

April 14, 2022

This message is shared on behalf of Human Resources and the Office of the Provost. 

We write today to remind faculty and staff of the University’s non-discrimination policies and existing mechanisms for reporting complaints of discrimination and harassment under those policies.

Discrimination and harassment are antithetical to the values and standards of the Wake Forest community, and are incompatible with the safe, healthy environment that the Wake Forest community expects and deserves. They will not be tolerated. Wake Forest is committed to providing programs, activities, and education and work environments free from discrimination and harassment. Wake Forest is also committed to fostering a community that promotes prompt reporting and fair and timely resolution of those behaviors.

In commitment to these principles, the University’s Non-Discrimination Statement expressly prohibits discrimination in its employment practices and its educational programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability, and veteran status. The University also has a comprehensive Sex and Gender Discrimination and Harassment Policy that prohibits discrimination, harassment, and misconduct on the basis of sex and gender.

Wake Forest strongly​ encourages all employees to promptly report concerns regarding suspected or known discrimination or harassment directly to one of these designated individuals:

Aishah Casseus, J.D., 
Title IX Coordinator and Section 504/ADA Coordinator
titleixcoordinator@wfu.edu | casseua@wfu.edu | 336.758.7258
Mandatory Reporter

Melissa Clodfelter, Ph.D.,
Assistant Vice President, Human Resources
askHR@wfu.edu | clodfem@wfu.edu | 336.758.4700
Mandatory Reporter

For non-emergency reports of possible criminal conduct, call the University Police at 336.758.5591. In the event of an emergency, call 911.

Certain University employees are designated as mandatory reporters. If a mandatory reporter receives information about sex-based discrimination or harassment, they must report the information to the Title IX Coordinator. The University also provides several confidential resources to faculty and staff. Confidential resources will only share information about an individual’s report with the individual’s express consent or if the law requires it.

All University employees are required to cooperate with mandatory training. Newly hired faculty and staff are required to complete an online harassment, discrimination and sexual violence prevention program within 60 days of their hire date, with an advanced section specifically for supervisors. Additionally, all hiring managers and search committees are expected to complete the Inclusive Search and Selection Process for both faculty and staff positions.

Preventing misconduct is the shared responsibility of all of us. Colleagues who witness or experience discrimination or harassment should use one of the designated University reporting options. Visit the Human Resources website for more information about reporting misconduct, available confidential resources for faculty and staff, and links to relevant policies.