Through the Investigation, Support and Resolution (ISR) dashboard, users are able to explore the data resulting from OCR’s reporting, investigation and resolution processes. The dashboard below includes tiles/slides on the:
Each tile allows users to explore the data through filters such as the semester reports were received, the category (categories) of prohibited conduct reported, affiliation of claimants and respondents and location.
If you would like to provide us feedback or ask questions on these dashboards or any other aspect of OCR’s supports and services, please complete the OCR Feedback Form.
ADP – The abbreviation for MSU’s Anti-Discrimination Policy.
Affiliation – The relationship of an individual with Michigan State University (e.g., student, employee or other relationship).
Age – The chronological length of time a person has lived.
Anonymous – An individual whose identity is not disclosed.
Appeal – The final possible stage of the formal process where parties may challenge the determination of responsibility or a dismissal decision based on specific grounds, as outlined in University policies.
Claimant – A person reported to have experienced or been subjected to prohibited conduct.
Claimant/Respondent Affiliation - Employee/Employee – An incident where both the Claimant and the Respondent are affiliated with the University as employees.
Claimant/Respondent Affiliation - Employee/Student – An incident where the Claimant is affiliated with the University as an employee and the Respondent is affiliated with the University as a student.
Claimant/Respondent Affiliation – Other – An incident involving a Claimant and/or Respondent who is either unaffiliated or anonymous.
Claimant/Respondent Affiliation - Student/Employee – An incident where the Claimant is affiliated with the University as a student and the Respondent is affiliated with the University as an employee.
Claimant/Respondent Affiliation - Student/Student – An incident where both the Claimant and the Respondent are affiliated with the University as students.
Closed - Formal Process Complete – The status of a report, as of the date that the data was pulled, indicating that the formal process, including investigation, hearing (if applicable), decision regarding responsibility and any appeals or disciplinary actions, has been fully completed.
Closed - No Formal Process – The status of a report, as of the date that the data was pulled, indicating that the initial assessment or investigative inquiry has concluded and the matter will not proceed to a formal investigation or grievance process, possibly due to factors like inability to identify a claimant, insufficient information, lack of policy coverage or the claimant's decision not to pursue a formal complaint.
Closure Rationale – The stated reason or justification for closing a report without proceeding to or completing a formal process as determined under the relevant University policy.
Dating Violence – RVSM Dating Violence is violence (actual or an attempt to cause physical injury to another) or threat to cause violence committed by a person: (1) who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and (2) where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors: (i) The length of the relationship. (ii) The type of relationship. (iii) The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship. Title IX Dating Violence is assault or assault and battery committed by a person: (1) who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and (2) where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors: (i) The length of the relationship. (ii) The type of relationship. (iii) The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.
Disability – Disability could be asserted in one or more of three ways: a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (actual disability); a record of having such impairment (record of); or being regarded as having such impairment (regarded as).
Dismissal – A determination to dismiss a formal complaint filed under the University's RVSM and Title IX Policy, occurring when the reported conduct does not meet all RVSM and Title IX coverage requirements or would not, even if proven, meet the definition of RVSM and Title IX prohibited conduct. Dismissal may also occur if a Claimant requests a complaint be withdrawn or where specific circumstances prevent gathering evidence sufficient to reach a determination.
Domestic Violence – RVSM Domestic Violence is an act of violence (actual or an attempt to cause physical injury to another) or threat to cause violence to another, committed by an individual who is a current or former spouse or intimate partner of an individual, a person with whom the individual shares a child in common, a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabited with the individual as a spouse or intimate partner. Title IX Domestic Violence is assault or assault and battery to another person, on the basis of sex, committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws under state law or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the state.
Employee – An individual who holds an employment position (e.g., faculty, staff, student employee, etc.) at Michigan State University. When an individual is both a student and an employee, the individual is identified in the data as an employee when the conduct occurred in the work setting.
Ethnicity – An individual’s shared common language, culture, ancestry, race and/or other social characteristics, sometimes shared with other groups of people.
Finding of No Prohibited Conduct – A determination, based on a preponderance of the evidence, that the respondent is not responsible for violating the University's ADP or the RVSM and Title IX Policy.
Finding of Prohibited Conduct – A determination, based on a preponderance of the evidence, that the Respondent is responsible for violating the University's ADP and/or the RVSM and Title IX Policy.
Fondling – The intentional touching of intimate body parts of another person in a sexual manner without consent, causing another to touch intimate body parts without consent or the disrobing or exposing of another without consent. In the context of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (NIBRS) program, "Fondling" was a term used through August 2025 and is synonymous with Non-Consensual Sexual Contact.
Gender – Socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities and attributes that a given society deems masculine or feminine. Gender is a social construct framed by a society’s understanding of masculinity and femininity as related to roles, behaviors, expectations, activities, identities and attributes. This term is often understood as a binary, however, historically and presently, gender is expansive and dynamic. Non-comprehensive identity terms in this category may include woman, man, cisgender, transgender, non-binary, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, agender, two-spirit.
Gender Expression – The way in which someone expresses their gender, either consciously or unconsciously. This can encompass everything that communicates our gender to others, including clothing, hairstyle, body language, manner of speaking, social interactions and gender roles.
Gender Identity – A person’s individual understanding of their own gender and the language they use to describe this understanding (e.g., pronouns, etc.). This can also be considered one’s innate and personal experience of gender. Non-comprehensive identity terms in this category may include woman, man, cisgender, transgender, non-binary, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, agender, two-spirit.
Height – The distance from the top to the bottom of an individual while fully extended.
Incident Report – A submission (verbal, in-person, in-writing, electronic or other means) of information regarding reported prohibited conduct to the University. This is a general term often used to initiate an initial assessment by ISR.
Insufficient Information/Declined Participation – A reason for closing a report when specific circumstances prevent gathering information sufficient to reach a determination about policy coverage or to proceed with a formal investigation or decision. This includes situations in which a claimant chooses not to participate or in which the parties involved are unidentified.
Intake/Assessment – The initial phase of the complaint process, where a report is received, recorded, initial information is gathered and an assessment is made to determine policy coverage, jurisdiction and the appropriate next steps (e.g., informal resolution or formal investigation).
Investigation – The RVSM and Title IX Policy defines the investigation as a neutral fact gathering process. The investigation shall be fair and impartial and not rely upon stereotypes. Under the ADP, the investigation stage involves interviews, evidence collection, investigator findings and report preparation.
Investigative Inquiry – The stage of the ISR process prior to any formal grievance process being initiated by either a Notice of Investigation (NOI) or the signing of a formal complaint. This stage includes the initial review of the submitted report, gathering of information and assessment of policy coverage and jurisdiction.
Length of Completed Appeal Stages – The number of business days from the date of filed appeal to the appeal decision date. Please note that timelines may be temporarily extended for good cause if deemed necessary to conduct a thorough investigation, to protect the rights of all parties or for other reasonable considerations, including absence of a party, a party’s advisor or a witness, or the need for language assistance or accommodation of disabilities.
Length of Completed Investigation Stages – For cases involving any RVSM or Title IX prohibited conduct, the length of completed investigation refers to the number of business days from the date of a signed formal complaint to the completion of the Final Investigative Report (FIR). For cases involving only discrimination and harassment prohibited conduct, the length of completed investigation refers to the number of business days from the Notice of Investigation date to the decision date. For cases closed by dismissal, the length of completed investigation refers to the number of business days from the signed formal complaint to the dismissal decision date. Please note that timelines may be temporarily extended for good cause if deemed necessary to conduct a thorough investigation, to protect the rights of all parties or for other reasonable considerations, including absence of a party, a party’s advisor or a witness, or the need for language assistance or accommodation of disabilities.
Length of Completed Resolution/Hearing Stages – The number of business days from the completion of the Final Investigative Report (FIR) to the resolution decision date. This only applies to cases involving RVSM or Title IX prohibited conduct. Please note that timelines may be temporarily extended for good cause if deemed necessary to conduct a thorough investigation, to protect the rights of all parties or for other reasonable considerations, including absence of a party, a party’s advisor or a witness, or the need for language assistance or accommodation of disabilities.
Location – Where reported prohibited conduct occurred.
Marital Status – A person’s state of being single, married, separated, divorced or widowed.
Modified – An appeal outcome wherein the determination of responsibility is not changed but where the sanction imposed is modified by the Equity Review Officer.
Month – The calendar month during which incident reports were submitted to ISR.
National Origin – A person’s or their ancestor’s, place of origin (such as country, region, particular part of the world) or shared ancestry. Conduct based on traits or characteristics linked to an individual’s national origin, including physical, cultural (e.g., attire, diet, dominant religion or distinct religious identity, name commonly associated with a particular shared ancestry), linguistic (e.g., accent, lack of fluency in English or speaking a language other than English) and caste or similar systems of social stratification can be evaluated as based on national origin.
No Coverage – A reason for closing a report because the reported conduct, even if substantiated, does not meet the definitions of prohibited conduct or the jurisdictional requirements of the applicable University policy (e.g., ADP or RVSM and Title IX Policy) or when the reported conduct does not meet the standard required under the applicable University policy.
Non-Consensual Sexual Contact – RVSM Non-Consensual Sexual Contact is the intentional touching of intimate body parts of another person in a sexual manner without consent, causing another to touch intimate body parts without consent or the disrobing or exposing of another without consent. Intimate body parts include but are not limited to, the mouth, neck, buttocks, anus, groin, genitalia or breast; however, sexual contact can occur with any part of the body. Title IX Non-Consensual Sexual Contact is the intentional touching of the clothed or unclothed body parts without consent of the claimant for the purpose of sexual degradation, sexual gratification or sexual humiliation; or the forced touching by the claimant of the respondent’s clothed or unclothed body parts, without consent of the claimant for the purpose of sexual degradation, sexual gratification or sexual humiliation.
Non-Consensual Sexual Penetration – RVSM Non-Consensual Sexual Penetration is non-consensual penetration or attempted penetration of a genital, anal or oral opening of another person by use of an object, instrument, digit or other body part. An “object” or “instrument” means anything other than a respondent’s genitalia or other body part. This includes forcing an individual to use an object, instrument or digit to penetrate another individual as well as oral penetration by a sex organ of another person. Title IX Non-Consensual Sexual Penetration is penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person or by a sex-related object, without the consent of the claimant, including instances where the claimant is incapable of giving consent.
Off Campus – Any physical location not owned or operated by the University or used for educational purpose by MSU. (Note: This definition may differ from a similar definition under the Clery Act. Information regarding the University’s Clery Act reporting can be found on the MSU Office of Audit, Risk and Compliance’s Clery Act page.).
On Campus – Any physical location owned or operated by the University or used for educational purpose by MSU. (Note: This definition may differ from a similar definition under the Clery Act. Information regarding the University’s Clery Act reporting can be found on the MSU Office of Audit, Risk and Compliance’s Clery Act page.).
Open - Formal Process Ongoing – The status of a report, as of the date that the data was pulled, where a formal complaint has been filed and the matter is awaiting the outcome of the formal process. See note below for the date data was most recently pulled.
Open - Investigative Inquiry Ongoing – The status of a report, as of the date that the data was pulled, that has been received and is awaiting initial review and evaluation by ISR to determine its coverage under policy and the appropriate next steps. See note below for the date data was most recently pulled.
Other (Closure Rationale) – A reason for closing a report that does not fall into the specified categories of insufficient information, no coverage or Claimant's request.
Overturned – The final outcome of appeals wherein the entire determination of whether or not prohibited conduct occurred is overturned by the Equity Review Officer. This includes any instances in which the Equity Review Officer remanded a portion of the Resolution Officer Decision and/or the Final Report is remanded to the Resolution Officer and/or ISR for further review and the final determination is either not appealed or, upon subsequent appeal, the final determination was overturned.
Partial Finding of Prohibited Conduct – A determination, based on a preponderance of the evidence, that the Respondent is responsible for violating the University’s ADP and/or the University’s RVSM and Title IX Policy for some but not all of the reported prohibited conduct.
Partially Overturned/Upheld – The final outcome of appeals wherein a portion of the determination of whether or not prohibited conduct occurred is overturned by the Equity Review Officer and a portion of the determination is upheld. This includes any instances in which the Equity Review Officer remanded a portion of the Resolution Officer Decision and/or the Final Report is remanded to the Resolution Officer and/or ISR for further review and, upon subsequent appeal, the final determination included a portion of the determination of whether or not prohibited conduct occurred being overturned and a portion being upheld.
Political Persuasion – An individual’s political beliefs, party affiliation (or non-affiliation) or civic activities.
Prohibited Conduct – Actions or behaviors, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, relationship violence, sexual misconduct and stalking, that violate the ADP and/or RVSM and Title IX Policy.
Prohibited Conduct Categories – Groupings of conduct prohibited by the ADP and/or RVSM and Title IX Policy.
Prohibited Conduct Categories - Discrimination – Category of unwelcome conduct that is based on an individual’s protected identity or identities that: harms a term or condition of an individual’s employment or an individual’s access to education or participation in a University program or activity (see definition of Adverse Action); is used as the basis for or a factor in, decisions of an individual’s employment, education or participation in a University program or activity, except as required or permitted by law; or results in differential enforcement of a facially neutral policy or practice.
Prohibited Conduct Categories - Harassment – Category of unwelcome conduct that is based on the Claimant’s protected identity or identities that unreasonably interferes with an individual’s education or work environment such that it creates a hostile environment.
Prohibited Conduct Categories - Retaliation – Under the ADP, category of conduct defined as a materially adverse action taken because of a person’s protected activity (includes retaliatory harassment). Under the RVSM and Title IX Policy, category of conduct defined as an act or attempted act taken because of a person’s participation (or expectation of participation) in a protected activity that would discourage a reasonable person from engaging in protected activity.
Prohibited Conduct Categories - RVSM & Title IX – Category of unwelcome conduct including “relationship violence” (a broad term encompassing domestic violence and dating violence); “sexual misconduct” (a term that includes sexual assault, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation); and stalking. Additionally, the University prohibits sexual harassment (which includes sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking) as defined by the Title IX regulations.
Race/Color – Race refers to affiliation with or membership in one or more social groups that share common physical features or ancestry. Color refers to a person’s skin color or complexion.
Religion – Sincerely held religious, ethical or moral beliefs and related practices including commemoration or observance. This includes those identified with traditional organized religions as well as religious beliefs that are new, uncommon, not part of a formal church or sect or only held by a small number of people.
Report Timeframe – The period during which incident reports were submitted to ISR.
Requested by Claimant/Confirmed by ISR Assessment – A reason for closing a report where the Claimant has indicated a desire not to proceed with a formal complaint or investigation. Prior to closing, ISR considers the impact of the reported behavior on the University community, including but not limited to the risk that similar behavior may occur if the investigation is closed.
Resolution/Hearing – Under the RVSM and Title IX Policy, the phase in the complaint process following an investigation, which may involve a hearing and a decision regarding responsibility. This phase may also refer to matters that are resolved through an adaptable resolution process. There is no resolution/hearing stage under the ADP.
Respondent – A person, group or unit reported to have engaged in prohibited conduct.
Retaliation – ADP retaliation is a materially adverse action taken because of a person’s protected activity (includes retaliatory harassment). RVSM retaliation is an act or attempted act taken because of a person’s participation (or expectation of participation) in a protected activity that would discourage a reasonable person from engaging in protected activity. Title IX Retaliation is intimidation, threats, coercion or discrimination, including charges against an individual for code of conduct violations that do not involve sex discrimination or sexual harassment, but arise out of the same facts or circumstances as a report or complaint of sex discrimination or a report or formal complaint of sexual harassment.
RVSM and Title IX Policy – The abbreviation for MSU’s Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Policy.
RVSM Unspecified – Refers to reported prohibited conduct that falls under the general umbrella of the RVSM and Title IX Policy, but where the specific category of prohibited conduct (e.g., dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, stalking or sexual harassment) has not been specified or determined.
Semester – The academic term during which incident reports were submitted to ISR. The semester is measured from the first day of class through the day before the next semester’s first day of class.
Sexual Exploitation – Intentionally engaging in any of the following: In situations where an individual has a legitimate expectation of privacy, actual or attempted surreptitiously observing or attempting to observe another individual’s nudity or sexual activity or allowing another to observe consensual sexual activity without the knowledge and consent of all parties involved or in which the person observed or induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age; in situations where an individual has a legitimate expectation of privacy, the non-consensual actual or attempted recording, sharing or streaming of images, photography, video or audio recordings of sexual activity or nudity or distribution of such without the knowledge and consent of all parties involved or in which the person recorded, viewed or induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age; actual or attempted exposing of one’s genitals or inducing another to expose their genitals in non-consensual circumstances or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age; inducing incapacitation or attempting to induce incapacitation for the purpose of making another person vulnerable to non-consensual sexual activity; actual or attempted masturbation in public, whether or not genitals are exposed; knowingly exposing or knowingly attempting to expose, another individual to a sexually transmitted infection or virus without their knowledge; the actual or attempted recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a sex act induced by force, fraud or coercion or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age.
Sexual Harassment – RVSM Sexual Harassment is a form of discrimination that includes verbal, written or physical behavior, directed at someone because of that person’s sex (actual or perceived), gender, gender identity, gender expression, actual or perceived sexual orientation, sexual identity or based on gender stereotypes, when that behavior is unwelcome and meets any of the following criteria: Submission or consent to the behavior is reasonably believed to carry consequences, positive or negative, for the individual’s education, employment, University living environment or participation in a University activity or program. This can also be referred to as “quid pro quo.” The unwelcome behavior is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it causes an unreasonable interference with the individual’s work or educational performance by creating an intimidating, hostile or demeaning environment for employment, education, University living or participation in a University activity or program. This can be referred to as “hostile environment.” Title IX Sexual Harassment is conduct the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following: An employee of the University conditioning a provision of aid, benefit or service of the University on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct. Unwelcome conduct that is so severe, pervasive and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the University’s education, program or activity as determined by a reasonable person standard. Other “sexual offenses” defined in the following statutes and described in this Policy: ‘‘sexual assault’’ as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A)(v), ‘‘dating violence’’ as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(10), ‘‘domestic violence’’ as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(8) or ‘‘stalking’’ as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(30).
Sexual Orientation – The language a person uses to describe themselves as a sexual being. Frequently referred to as “sexual identity.” One’s sexual identity may or may not align with one’s sexual behavior or sexual attractions. Non-comprehensive identity terms in this category may include asexual, bisexual, demisexual, gay, lesbian, pansexual, queer, questioning or unsure, same-gender loving, straight.
Stalking –RVSM Stalking is engaging in a course of conduct that is directed at a specific person or persons that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear for themselves or for the safety of others or to suffer substantial emotional distress. Stalking includes cyberstalking, which utilizes electronic formats such as the internet, social networks, social media apps, blogs, texts, cell phones and other devices. Stalking may include behavior that occurs outside the context of a relationship. Title IX Stalking is engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person, on the basis of sex, that would cause a reasonable person to: (1) fear for their safety or the safety of others; or (2) suffer substantial emotional distress.
Student – A student is a person enrolled or participating in a collegiate-level, University-sponsored program, or course, regardless of program level; full-time or part-time status; credit, degree, or certificate awarded; location; or mode of instruction. A person remains a student until graduation or completion of the program, permanent dismissal, or non-attendance for three full, consecutive semesters (including summer semester). This definition includes a person who is on a leave of absence, withdraws, recess, or graduates after an alleged violation of student conduct policies.
Unaffiliated – An individual who is not currently a student or employee of Michigan State University such as a visitor, contractor, patient, etc.
Unknown (Location) – The location where reported prohibited conduct occurred could not be determined or was not specified in the report.
Upheld – The final outcome of appeals wherein the entire determination of whether or not prohibited conduct occurred is upheld by the Equity Review Officer. This includes any instances in which the Equity Review Officer remanded a portion of the Resolution Officer Decision and/or the Final Report is remanded to the Resolution Officer and/or ISR for further review and the final determination is either not appealed or, upon subsequent appeal, the final determination was upheld.
Veteran/Military Status – Service in the military of the United States of America or its territories, including army, naval, air, marine or coast guard service or reserves.
Virtual – Any non-physical location including, but not limited to, electronic communication methods such as the internet, email, social networks, social media applications, blogs, text messages, phone calls and other digital devices.
Week – The calendar week (Monday through Sunday) during which incident reports were submitted to ISR.
Weight – Weight covers the full spectrum of body masses.
Changing Views – This guide provides instructions on how to view, navigate, and interact with the data visuals in the dashboard.
Navigating Between Dashboard Pages – The dashboard contains multiple pages, also referred to as tiles or slides. You can move between them using the controls at the bottom of the screen.
Using Filters to Explore Data – Filters allow you to customize the data displayed in the charts and graphics. They are located around the main data visuals
For more information on using the accessibility features of Power BI, please visit the Microsoft Ignite article on the topic.