Appropriate Treatment of Learners and Complaint Procedures
The UMass Chan Medical School (“UMass Chan”) is committed to providing a supportive and respectful learning environment that fosters mutual trust and understanding between learners and the educational community. Accordingly, UMass Chan has developed an Appropriate Treatment of Learners (“ATL”) policy to address concerns regarding the inappropriate treatment of learners by a member of the educational community. When the ATL standards are upheld, the educational environment supports optimal teaching, learning and professional development of learners. The Diversity and Inclusion Office (DIO) is responsible for the ongoing oversight and periodic review of this policy.
The ATL policy defines some behaviors that represent inappropriate treatment of learners. It also describes the procedure for reporting complaints and the follow-up of such allegations. UMass Chan is committed to conducting investigations thoroughly, promptly and impartially. All students should expect to be treated with respect, and to learn and work in a safe environment. All individuals who interact with students are expected to behave in accordance with the ATL policy, which applies to all UMass Chan faculty, staff, residents, fellows, nurses, administrators and others who interact with learners.
Inappropriate treatment of learners occurs when behavior by a member of the learning community shows disrespect for the dignity of learners such that it interferes with their learning process. Examples of such behaviors include, but are not limited, to the following:
- Humiliation of learners
- Verbal attacks towards learners
- Inappropriate anger or harsh language when addressing a learner
- Lack of communication with a learner
- Requiring a learner to perform tasks that belittle the learner
- Requiring a learner to perform personal services, e.g. babysitting, errands, shopping, etc.
- Insulting conduct to a learner
- Disregard for learner safety
The ATL policy does not address sexual harassment complaints, violence/hostility in the workplace, or discrimination. The reporting and investigation of these complaints are addressed in other policies, including the Title IX Incident policy, Violence and Hostility in the Workplace policy, and the Discrimination Complaint Policy and Procedure, respectively. Each of these policies can be found on the DIO website.
Learners who believe they have been subject to inappropriate treatment in the learning community are responsible for reporting their complaint to the DIO as soon as possible. In addition, any member of the learning community who becomes aware of inappropriate treatment of a learner is strongly encouraged to report the issue to the DIO for further investigation.
For more information, including definitions, policies and procedures for reporting suspected inappropriate treatment, students are encouraged to contact the Diversity and Inclusion Office (DIO). Confidential consultation and assistance with reporting are also available in the Office of Student Affairs.
(revised 03/2017)