Dear Members of the University Research Community,
Thank you for your amazing work. As you may be aware our awards in FY 21 were $375.6 Million, the highest in UConn’s history and significantly higher than the $285.8 Million for FY 20. I am writing to remind everyone that as you continue to excel in advancing UConn’s research mission it is critical that we also maintain civil, supportive, and harassment-free workplaces at UConn and UConn Health.
A recent article and report by Dr. Michael Lauer, Deputy Director of Extramural Research at the NIH revealed that the NIH has approved removing 75 principal investigators nationally from grants as a result of complaints regarding sexual and other harassment.
This serves as a reminder that Researchers are responsible for fostering and maintaining a safe and respectful work environment and need to be aware they may lose the ability to apply for and receive NIH, NSF and other federal funding if they are found to have engaged in sexual harassment, other forms of harassment (including bullying, racial/ethnic bias, retaliation, etc.), or sexual assault.
Not only is this an expectation from the NIH, NSF and other federal sponsors, who require institutions to foster a harassment-free environment as a condition for the receipt of federal funding. It is also an expectation of UConn and UConn health; all members of the University community are responsible for maintaining an environment of zero-tolerance towards harassment of any kind (including sexual harassment in research, education, service, and clinical programs).
Please note that the NIH and NSF also require awardee institutions to report any determinations, administrative action, or disciplinary action involving the principal investigator, co-principal investigator, or other senior key persons related to sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault.
In closing, thank you for creating knowledge that benefits mankind, and doing so in a manner that ensures a workplace free of harassment. The UConn Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) is available to assist researchers in fostering an equitable and inclusive research environment and to address concerns regarding workplace harassment. You can reach OIE by email at equity@uconn.edu or by phone at 860-486-2943 (Storrs office) or 860-679-3563 (UConn Health office).
Links:
Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment and Related Interpersonal Violence
Non-Retaliation Policy
UConn/UConn Health Code of Conduct
NIH Anti-Sexual Harassment Expectations, Policies, and Requirements
NSF Notification Requirements Regarding Sexual Harassment, Other Forms of Harassment, or Sexual Assault FAQs
More than 70 lab heads removed from NIH grants after harassment findings - Science June 2021
Regards,
Andy
Andrew Agwunobi, MD, MBA
Interim President | University of Connecticut
Chief Executive Officer |UConn Health
President@uconn.edu
Twitter: @UConnPresident
Instagram: @UConnPres
For more information, contact: Office of the President at 860-486-2337