Report a Concern
If you have experienced, witnessed or become aware of behavior that may violate College policy, we encourage you to report it. Reporting concerns helps Alverno maintain a safe, respectful and welcoming learning environment and allows the College to provide support, address concerns and take appropriate action when needed.
If there is an emergency, please dial 911 (9-911 from a campus phone). Then, call Campus Safety at 414-382-6911 (or x6911 from a campus phone).
For non-emergencies, please use the reporting options below.
Shortcuts
Report Online via Blaze
To file a report via Blaze:
- Log in using your Alverno username and password
- Select the Ask for Help Icon (there is an image of a red and white life preserver)
- Select the Referral Form called “Student Complaint or Concern” from the dropdown.
- Share the information regarding your situation.
You will receive contact from a professional staff member within two business days of the form being completed.
Bias Incident Reporting
To report a bias incident, you can submit an online report via Blaze or you can contact the following offices in person or by regular mail, phone or e-mail:
Title IX Sex-Based Discrimination Reporting
The individuals below can receive reports of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, retaliation and other concerns covered under Title IX. Information shared with these officials may be acted upon by the College to provide supportive measures, address safety concerns and respond to potential policy violations.
Reports may be made in person, by regular mail, telephone, electronic mail, or by any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person’s verbal or written report.
You can also make a report or ask any questions by emailing titleix@alverno.edu. We are here to support you.
Title IX Training
Alverno College is committed to maintaining a fair, equitable, and informed Title IX process. Individuals who serve in Title IX roles, including the Title IX Coordinator, investigators, decision-makers, and informal resolution facilitators, receive training relevant to their responsibilities. Training provided by Husch Blackwell can be viewed here: View the Presentation
Title IX Coordinator
Vanessa Vasquez, Dean of Students
Founders Hall (FO) 119
3400 S 43rd Street
Milwaukee, WI 53234
Title IX Deputy Coordinators
For Students
Paige Stoeffler, Residence Life Coordinator
Austin Hall 194B
Saul Lopez, Global Engagement Coordinator
Founders Hall (FO) 110A
For Mesa, AZ
Sheila Heinert, Director of DEMSN in Mesa, Arizona
For Emplooyees
Lisa Hirchert, Interim Director of Human Resources
Founders Hall (FO) 211
Lead Title IX Investigator
Carol Ann Kashishian, Campus Safety Assistant Director/Captain
carolann.kashishian@alverno.edu
Founders Hall (FO) 254
Confidential Resource
Confidential resources can provide support, discuss options and help you access services. These individuals are not required to tell anyone else private, personally identifiable information unless there is reason to fear for the safety of the victim or other community members.
Campus Minister
Steven Dunn, PhD
Founders Hall (FO) 259
Off-Campus (Milwaukee) Resources
- Aurora Healing & Advocacy (414-219-5555) for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence
- Sojourner Family Peace Center (414-276-1911) for a 24/7 confidential domestic violence hotline and emergency legal assistance
- Milwaukee LGBT Community Center (414-271-2656) includes outreach to LGBT youth, adults and their allies and a mental health clinic for confidential outpatient care
- Milwaukee Women’s Center Crisis Line and Shelter (414-671-6140) offers 24-hour assistance to women in need of assistance from sexual or domestic violence
- Milwaukee Police Department Sensitive Crimes Division (414-935-7405) for police officers with special training related to sexually-based crimes
What happens after a report is submitted?
Once a report is received, the appropriate College office will review the information and determine next steps. Depending on the nature of the concern, this may include outreach to involved parties, supportive measures, an investigation or referral to another College process.
Each situation is reviewed individually, and the College strives to respond promptly, fairly and respectfully.
After the incident is reported:
- The Dean of Students or designee will review the complaint.
- A professional staff member will reach out to the reporting party regarding the incident that occurred.
- Interim measures may be put in place pending the outcome of the investigation.
- All parties are assigned a designated support person to guide them through the complaint process. Either party may refuse the assistance of a support person.
- The facts of the complaint are investigated as presented by the person making the complaint, the respondent and any witnesses.
- The summary of the investigation is submitted to the Assistant Dean of Students who will review the information and determine appropriate next steps.
Examples of responses could include, but are not limited to:
- A facilitated conversation between involved parties.
- Restorative circles: Several members of the Alverno College staff are trained as facilitators for restorative circles. Those individuals could be brought in to work with those affected by the incident.
- Changes in policies or procedures – Depending on the nature of the incident, a change in policy or procedure may be warranted. Those affected by the incident would be consulted regarding any changes.
- Educational programs – Bias related incidents may indicate a need for education in our community in order to remedy harm done, and to provide opportunities for reflection and growth. Such educational efforts are not part of the investigation process and are not intended to be punitive. Appropriate staff and faculty will work with students to plan timely educational opportunities that are reflective of diverse learning styles and address relevant issues from multiple perspectives.
- Consultation with outside organizations.
External Contact Information
Concerns about the College’s application of the non-discrimination policy and compliance with certain federal civil rights laws may also be addressed to:
US Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights
Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-1100
Customer Service Hotline: 800-421-3481
Facsimile: 202-453-6012
TDD: 877-521-2172
Email: OCR@ed.gov
Or to the Regional OCR office in Chicago, Illinois:
Office of Civil Rights (OCR)
Chicago Office
U.S. Department of Education
John C. Kluczynski Federal Building
203 S. Dearborn Street, 37th Floor
Chicago, IL 60604
Telephone: 312-730-1560
Facsimile: 312-730-1576
Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov
Alverno College is the recipient of grant funding from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The contact information for any concerns related to programs receiving grant funding from these federal agencies is listed below.
NASA
NASA Headquarters
Office of the Inspector General
PO Box 23089
L’Enfant Plaza Station
Washington, DC 20026
Hotline: 800-424-9183
Telephone: 202-358-0001
TDD: 800-535-8134
Facsimile: 202-358-4338
Web: https://oigforms.nasa.gov/wp_cyberhotline.html
USDA
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Inspector General
Room 117 – W Jamie Whitten Bldg
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20250
Hotline: 800-424-9121
Telephone: 202-720-8001
Facsimile: 202-690-2474
Web: https://www.usda.gov
NIFA
NIFA is a department within the USDA. The USDA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has jurisdiction over all USDA matters including those with NIFA. NIFA is located at:
NIFA
305-A Whitten Bldg
12th Street, SW and Jefferson Drive
Washington, DC 20250
Or by mail at:
NIFA
USDA
1400 Independence Ave., SW, MS 2201
Washington, DC 20250-2201
For Complaints involving employee-on-employee conduct: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC):
EEOC Headquarters
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
131 M Street, NE
Washington, DC 20507
Telephone: 800-669-4000
TTY: 800-669-6820
ASL Video Phone: 844-234-5122
Web: https://www.eeoc.gov
Or to the State EEOC office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin:
EEOC
Reuss Federal Plaza
310 W Wisconsin Ave.
Suite 500
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Phone: 414-662-3680
TTY: 800-669-6820
ASL Video Phone: 844-234-5122
