Reporting Concerns and Misconduct

If you encounter behavior or misconduct that does not follow the College of Engineering values or University of Michigan policies, or you are unsure if you have experienced such behavior, there are resources and contacts available for you. 

Among these resources and contacts are people who are not required to report prohibited behavior such as sexual assault, harassment, violence, stalking, or retaliation; and people who are required to report. Staff and faculty who must immediately report prohibited behavior to the University’s Office of Institutional Equity are referred to as Responsible Employees.

University Support

Resources from the University on sexual and gender-based misconduct reporting can be found here.

To maintain confidentiality

If you prefer to maintain confidentiality, or are uncertain if you want to file a formal complaint, your first action might be to contact those who are not considered Responsible Employees. 

At NERS, employees and faculty considered not required to report misconduct include:

• Carolyn Kuranz, Associate Professor
• Sara Norman, Communications

Outside of NERS, those considered not required to report misconduct include:

• Tom Lehker, University Student Ombudsperson, (734) 763–3545
• Jacqueline Bowman, Ph.D, University Staff Ombudsperson
• Ken Powell, College of Engineering Faculty Ombudsperson
• U-M Faculty Ombuds
• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), (734) 764-8312
• Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC), (734) 936-3333
• Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office (FASCCO), (734) 936-8660

Formal, non-confidential issues

All of the following contacts are considered Responsible Employees and are mandated to share any prohibited conduct with the Office of Institutional Equity. Please be aware that your issue will not remain private or confidential.

At NERS, Responsible Employees that must report any misconduct include:

• Todd Allen, Chair and Professor 
• Michael Atzmon, Professor
• Fei Gao, Professor
• Igor Jovanovic, Professor
• Sara Pozzi, Professor
• Michelle Sonderman, Undergraduate Program Manager
• Xiaodong Sun, Professor
• Besnik Topulli, Unit Administrator
• Lu-Min Wang, Professor

Outside of NERS, those that must report any misconduct include:

• All Responsible Employees.
• College of Engineering Office of Student Affairs, Executive Director Jeanne Murabito,  coe-studentaffairs@umich.edu, (734) 647-7118, 143 Chrysler Center (connected to the Duderstadt Center, walk-ins are welcome)
• Ethics, Integrity, and Compliance
• Office for Institutional Equity

Maintaining integrity and respect

NERS strives to create a safe, healthy, and supportive environment for everyone within the department. While the decision of whether or not to report misconduct is up to those who encounter it, know that whatever your decision, you will be heard, we will take the matter seriously, and the NERS community will stand behind you.

Remarks by Chair Allen

For NERS to be successful, each member of the NERS community must be able to achieve their goals. To ensure each of you achieve your goals, you must feel confident in your work environment. Please speak up for yourself and look out for each other. We are #1 because WE are #1 together.