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UW-Madison Process Related to NSF Notification Requirements Regarding Sexual Harassment, Other Forms of Harassment, or Sexual Assault

Page Updated: November 9th, 2018

The University of Wisconsin-Madison will follow NSF requirements whenever the term and condition regarding sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault is included in an NSF-funded award or subaward agreement. To address the requirements, the UW-Madison process will include the following steps.

• The Office of Compliance or OHR receives a report of an allegation of sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault, as defined in the NSF Notice.
• An investigation of the allegation is conducted in accordance with the applicable University investigatory or disciplinary procedures.
• Depending on the circumstances, prior to, during, or after an investigation, an individual (respondent) may be put on administrative leave or have an administrative action imposed.
• If an administrative leave(1) or action is imposed, the Office of Compliance or OHR will search in the RSP-provided lookup tool to find out if the respondent is a PI or Co-PI on an NSF-funded award or subaward. The search will occur as soon as possible after the individual is put on administrative leave or action is imposed.
• If a finding/determination(2) is made regarding a respondent, the Office of Compliance or OHR will search in the RSP-provided lookup tool to find out if the individual is a PI or Co-PI on an NSF-funded award or subaward. The search will occur as soon as possible after the finding or determination is made.
• If the individual in question is a PI or Co-PI on an NSF-funded award or subaward, the staff from Office of Compliance or OHR will submit information specified in NSF requirements to Research & Sponsored Programs through an online form. RSP will verify if the individual has an active award.
• RSP is responsible for submitting the notification to NSF, which is due within 10 business days of the date of the administrative leave/action or finding/determination.
• RSP will work with the National Science Foundation and other appropriate offices as needed, with the primary goals of ensuring the safety and security of other award personnel and the continued progress of the funded project. Actions that may be necessary may include, but are not limited to:
  • Replacement of the PI or Co-PI
  • Review of expenditures on the award
  • When necessary, transfer of unallowable charges off the award

Contact odinotifications@rsp.wisc.edu with questions about this process.

(1) NSF definition of administrative leave or action: Any temporary/interim suspension or permanent removal of the PI or co-PI, or any administrative action imposed on the PI or co-PI by the awardee under organizational policies or codes of conduct, statutes, regulations, or executive orders, relating to activities, including but not limited to the following: teaching, advising, mentoring, research, management/administrative duties, or presence on campus.

(2) NSF definition of finding/determination: The final disposition of a matter involving sexual harassment or other form of harassment under organizational policies and processes, to include the exhaustion of permissible appeals exercised by the PI or co-PI, or a conviction of a sexual offense in a criminal court of law.