Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM) is committed to fostering and maintaining a campus environment of mutual care and respect. Guided by our Code of Principles of Ethical and Professional Conduct, we share a collective responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of our community and strive to uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct and honesty. Should a violation of our standards arise, we encourage you to use our resources to take action—we offer formal and informal methods for conflict resolution.
We Are Here to Help
Your concerns matter to us. Please do not hesitate to email the Office of Community Standards at dentalcomstandards@tufts.edu and we will do our best to respond to you as quickly as possible.
Report an Incident or Concern
For Students
If you are a TUSDM student, you can submit a complaint alleging that a violation of policy occurred or report another situation involving concerning behavior by a student, faculty, or staff member.
For Educators
Faculty, staff, and teaching assistants can submit a report when a student exhibits behavior not consistent with the TUSDM's Community Standards. The purpose of taking this action is to assist the student in meeting professionalism expectations in academic, professional, and/or administrative settings.
For All (Share a Concern)
Any member of the TUSDM community is encouraged to share a concern about a TUSDM student who may need support for mental or physical health challenges, family concerns, food/housing insecurity, concerning behavior, or other personal difficulties.
For All (Report Discrimination and/or Harassment)
Any member of the TUSDM community is encouraged to report discrimination and/or harassment incidents to the Office of Equal Opportunity.
Sexual Misconduct
Sexual Misconduct violates the dignity of individuals. It is a form of discrimination based on sex or gender that violates federal Title IX regulations and is prohibited by Tufts policy. In some cases, sexual misconduct can also be a violation of criminal law.
Questions/Concerns
If you have a question or concern about sexual misconduct, the Sexual Misconduct/Sexual Assault Policy, or the Sexual Misconduct Adjudication Process (SMAP), please contact Title IX Coordinator, Jill Zellmer, in the Office of Equal Opportunity.
File a Complaint
To file a complaint about a violation of the Sexual Misconduct/Sexual Assault Policy, contact the Office of Equal Opportunity.
Learn more about reporting sexual misconduct.
Stay Away Request
If you wish to initiate a Stay Away Request or No Contact Order between yourself and another student, contact the Office of Equal Opportunity if the request is due to discrimination, identity-based harassment, or sexual misconduct. Contact the Office of Community Standards if the request is due to any other reason.
Confidential Support
Students may seek confidential support and resources for concerns related to sexual misconduct through the Center for Awareness, Resources, and Education at Tufts (CARE). CARE also provides a wide range of educational information about sexual misconduct prevention and sexual health on their website.
Hazing Prevention
The consequences for hazing are determined by the university based on the nature and severity of the violation. Read the university anti-hazing policy.
State law requires someone who is present when hazing occurs to report it to law enforcement, and university policy requires hazing to be reported when you become aware of it, whether or not you were present. You can report hazing in any of the following ways:
- Call the Tufts University Police Department at 617-627-3030.
- Submit a report via EthicsPoint, a third-party service that allows you to stay anonymous by completing their online form or calling 1-866-384-4277.
TUSDM Resources and Policies
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Community Standards are an important backbone of our learning environment. Any member of the Tufts community can report violations of community standards, including students, faculty, staff, TAs, and community members. You do not need to be directly involved in an incident to report it—witnesses and concerned community members are encouraged to come forward.
The above forms are for students, faculty, and staff. Patients with a complaint or concern can report them directly to us by email or phone. They also have the option to file an anonymous report through a third party. Learn more about a patient’s reporting options, their rights, and their responsibilities, visit the Policies & Rights page.
For issues related to discrimination and harassment, you have the option to report anonymously through EthicsPoint.
The Office of Community Standards manages incident reports and related student records in accordance with Tufts University policies and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Tufts protects the privacy of student education records and limits the disclosure of personally identifiable information as permitted under federal law.
For academic-related concerns, you can submit feedback through course or clinical evaluations.
For non-academic concerns, you can submit an Incident Report.
For concerns of discrimination and/or harassment related to faculty, staff, or students, you can report through EthicsPoint.
The reporting forms listed above are available 24/7.
For emergencies, contact Tufts University police. Learn more about campus security.
All members of the Tufts community are expected to conduct themselves ethically, fairly, and honestly.
TUSDM takes violations of academic integrity very seriously. Complaints and concerns are thoroughly reviewed and addressed to ensure that fair and ethical outcomes are achieved. Learn more about the specific procedures and consequences for various kinds of infractions in the student handbooks listed above and be sure to report any incidents to the Office of Community Standards.
Refer to the following:
Students go through the Student Conduct Resolution Procedure, described in the following: