Speak up

Notification Guidelines

Fire: 110
Police: 112
Ambulance: 113
UiT's emergency number:
776 44 444
Security company Avarn: 
924 49 277 

Student Counselling

Student Chaplain

Student Ombudsman

Occupational Health service HEMIS

if you would like to talk to someone, please contact:

• Student Ombudsman Torill Varberg, phone: +47 977 13 040, e-mail: studentombudet@uit.no
• Student counselling, phone: +47 77 64 90 50, e-mail: radgiving@samskipnaden.no
• Student chaplains Franziska Förster, phone: +47 41 19 97 97, e-mail: franziska.forster@uit.no 

If you want to notify something, please contact:

• Head of department or dean/director of the faculty.
• Director of Staff Julia Holte Sempler, phone: +47 77 64 68 18, e-mail: julia.sempler@uit.no
• Senior adviser Verena Woltering, phone: +47 77 66 05 61, email: verena.woltering@uit.no, 
• or Head og section for the learning environment and educational quality Øyvind Hjuring Mikalsen, phone: +47 77 64 92 58, email  oyvind.h.mikalsen@uit.no,  

Follow-up of notifications of sexual harassment

Whistleblowing cases are handled appropriately and in accordance with the rules on confidentiality. The whistleblower can request that the inquiry be treated confidentially and that no action is taken until this has been clarified with them.

Cases that are processed will be suitably stored so that only those who process the cases have access to them. If the whistleblower wants to remain anonymous, including in relation to the person they are reporting, the UiT will accommodate this wish as far as possible. A more detailed description of follow-up procedures can be found in the Guidelines for handling reports of bullying and/or harassment between students.

Protection of the whistleblower

The whistleblower shall not be subjected to retaliation. The university management will ensure that the whistleblower does not receive any negative reactions or consequences because they reported sexual or other unacceptable behaviour on the part of employees or students.

The UiT will maintain confidentiality about sensitive personal data and will carefully consider who needs to be informed about the case. Information and details that appear in the case processing will not be made available to more people than necessary. The UiT will handle cases with discretion and as quickly as possible.

if you would like to talk to someone, please contact:

• Safety representative at UiT
• Occupational health service, phone: +47 77 69 10 70, e-mail: tromso@hemis.no
• Employee representatives
• Line manager or manager higher up in the organisation
• The UiT's designated contact persons, see below

If you want to notify something, please contact:

• Head of department, dean or director of the faculty/unit
• Director of Staff Julia Holte Sempler, phone: +47 77 64 68 17, e-mail: julia.sempler@uit.no
• Legal advisers at the university management:
• Gunhild Stavem, phone: +47 77 64 49 13, e-mail: gunhild.stavem@uit.no
• Svetlana P. Johansen, phone + 47 77 64 57 14, e-mail: svetlana.p.johansen@uit.no

Follow-up of notifications of sexual harassment

Whistleblowing cases are handled appropriately and in accordance with the rules on confidentiality. The whistleblower can request that the inquiry be treated confidentially and that no action is taken until this has been clarified with them.

Cases that are processed will be suitably stored so that only those who process the cases have access to them. If the whistleblower wants to remain anonymous, including in relation to the person they are reporting, the UiT will accommodate this wish as far as possible. A more detailed description of follow-up procedures can be found in the Guidelines for handling reports of bullying and/or harassment between students.

Protection of the whistleblower

The whistleblower shall not be subjected to retaliation. The university management will ensure that the whistleblower does not receive any negative reactions or consequences because they reported sexual or other unacceptable behaviour on the part of employees or students.

The UiT will maintain confidentiality about sensitive personal data and will carefully consider who needs to be informed about the case. Information and details that appear in the case processing will not be made available to more people than necessary. The UiT will handle cases with discretion and as quickly as possible.

PhD candidate s have the right to and are encouraged to report wrongdoing at the UiT.

• PhD candidates who are employed at the UiT can report in writing through the notification procedures for employees.
• PhD candidates who are not employed at the UiT can report in writing through the notification procedures for students.
• PhD candidates can also notify via their safety representative or employee representative.

What is sexual harassment?

"Sexual harassment are words or actions of a sexual nature that cause the victim to feel violated. What characterises sexual harassment is that it is unwanted. It is the person who is subjected to the words or actions that determines whether they are offensive and therefore whether they are unwanted." (Commission of the European Communities, 92/131/EEC)

The subjective experience of sexual harassment is decisive for how the harassment affects the life situation of the person who is subjected to it. Casual remarks, random glances and touching are not harassment in themselves, but may be perceived as harassment, depending on the person and the surroundings. The environment and culture are often of great importance. It is therefore important to be extra vigilant in multicultural environments in which people from different backgrounds work or study in teams. Harassment is when a person uses their position and power to gain advantages or to oppress others.

Do you have doubts about your behaviour?

Be aware of what reactions your behaviour causes. Would you have changed your behaviour if your boyfriend/girlfriend, partner, or child had been around? How would you react if someone had behaved this way towards your own daughter or son?

Myths and facts

Statements such as "there is no sexual harassment here" and "I wouldn’t mind being sexually harassed" contribute to downplaying and trivialising the issue. Some people think that different rules apply to social gatherings or being "out on the town". But this is not the case. Studies show that sexual harassment exists in many forms; it can be conscious or unconscious and intentional or unintentional. It is most often men in positions of power who take advantage of their status to demand sexual attention from female students or women in lower positions. Sexual harassment can have a negative impact on study progress or career development for those who are subjected to it.

Manager's responsibility

All managers must respond to a sexual harassment case as soon as they become aware of it. They must ensure that the harassment stops. The case must be treated confidentially and shall take place in consultation with the person who has been subjected to harassment.

If you are being subjected to harassment – do the following:

Consult a person you trust If possible, talk to your immediate manager, course coordinator or teacher Report (see next page) If you can: Speak up! Confront the person directly!

If you find it difficult to report on your own, we recommend that you bring a person (friend) with you that you trust. Any notifications received will be treated confidentially and will not be referenced anywhere.

Why notify?

Sexual harassment is not a private matter. It pollutes the working environment and can ruin study and the work situation. Many people don't report sexual harassment. This could be because a course has finished or that a person has started a new job. Colleagues must not turn their backs on the problem. The problem must be highlighted so that measures can be implemented. New students and staff must not be subjected to sexual harassment.

Follow-up of notifications of sexual harassment

Whistleblowing cases concerning sexual harassment are handled appropriately and in accordance with the rules on confidentiality. The whistleblower can request that the inquiry be treated confidentially and that no action is taken until this has been clarified with them. Cases that are processed will be securely stored so that only those who process the cases can access them. If the whistleblower wants to remain anonymous, including in relation to the person they are reporting, the UiT will accommodate this wish as far as possible.

Protection of the whistleblower

The whistleblower shall not be subjected to retaliation. The university management will ensure that the whistleblower does not suffer any inconvenience or negative reactions or consequences because they reported sexual harassment or other unacceptable behaviour on the part of employees or students. The management wants a positive working and learning environment at the UiT.

if you would like to talk to someone, please contact:

• Student Ombudsman Torill Varberg, phone: +47 977 13 040, e-mail: studentombudet@uit.no
• Student counselling, phone: +47 77 64 90 50, e-mail: radgiving@samskipnaden.no
• Student chaplains Franziska Förster, phone: +47 41 19 97 97, e-mail: franziska.forster@uit.no and Asanuo Heneise, phone: +47 40 10 02 99, e-mail: asanuo@heneise@uit.no

If you want to notify something, please contact:

• Head of department or dean/director of the faculty.
• Director of Staff Julia Holte Sempler, phone: +47 77 64 68 18, e-mail: julia.sempler@uit.no
• Senior adviser Verena Woltering, phone: +47 77 66 05 61, email verena.woltering@uit.no,
• or Head og section for the learning environment and educational quality Øyvind Hjuring Mikalsen, phone: +47 77 64 92 58, email  oyvind.h.mikalsen@uit.no,  

Follow-up of notification of bullying and harassment

Whistleblowing cases are handled appropriately and in accordance with the rules on confidentiality. The whistleblower can request that the inquiry be treated confidentially and that no action is taken until this has been clarified with them.

Cases that are processed will be suitably stored so that only those who process the cases have access to them. If the whistleblower wants to remain anonymous, including in relation to the person they are reporting, the UiT will accommodate this wish as far as possible. A more detailed description of follow-up procedures can be found in the Guidelines for handling reports of bullying and/or harassment between students.

Protection of the whistleblower

The whistleblower shall not be subjected to retaliation. The university management will ensure that the whistleblower does not receive any negative reactions or consequences because they reported unacceptable behaviour on the part of employees or students.

The UiT will maintain confidentiality about sensitive personal data and will carefully consider who needs to be informed about the case. Information and details that appear in the case processing will not be made available to more people than necessary. The UiT will handle cases with discretion and as quickly as possible.

if you would like to talk to someone, please contact:

• Occupational health service, phone: +47 77 69 10 70, e-mail: tromso@hemis.no 
• Safety representative at UiT
• Employee representatives
• Line manager or manager higher up in the organisation
• The UiT's designated contact persons, see below

If you want to notify something, please contact:

• Head of department, dean or director of the faculty/unit
• Director of Staff Julia Holte Sempler, phone: +47 77 64 68 17, e-mail: julia.sempler@uit.no
• Legal advisers at the university management:
• Gunhild Stavem, phone: +47 77 64 49 13, e-mail: gunhild.stavem@uit.no
• Svetlana P. Johansen, phone + 47 77 64 57 14, e-mail: svetlana.p.johansen@uit.no

Follow-up of reports of bullying and harrasment

Whistleblowing cases are handled appropriately and in accordance with the rules on confidentiality. The whistleblower can request that the inquiry be treated confidentially and that no action is taken until this has been clarified with them.

Cases that are processed will be suitably stored so that only those who process the cases have access to them. If the whistleblower wants to remain anonymous, including in relation to the person they are reporting, the UiT will accommodate this wish as far as possible.

Protection of the whistleblower

The whistleblower shall not be subjected to retaliation. The university management will ensure that the whistleblower does not receive any negative reactions or consequences because they reported unacceptable behaviour on the part of employees or students.

The UiT will maintain confidentiality about sensitive personal data and will carefully consider who needs to be informed about the case. Information and details that appear in the case processing will not be made available to more people than necessary. The UiT will handle cases with discretion and as quickly as possible.

PhD candidate s have the right to and are encouraged to report wrongdoing at the UiT.

• PhD candidates who are employed at the UiT can report in writing through the notification procedures for employees.
• PhD candidates who are not employed at the UiT can report in writing through the notification procedures for students.
• PhD candidates can also notify via their safety representative or employee representative.

if you would like to talk to someone, please contact:

• Student Ombudsman Torill Varberg, phone: +47 977 13 040, e-mail: studentombudet@uit.no
• Student counselling, phone: +47 77 64 90 50, e-mail: radgiving@samskipnaden.no
• Student chaplains Franziska Förster, phone: +47 41 19 97 97, e-mail: franziska.forster@uit.no and Asanuo Heneise, phone: +47 40 10 02 99, e-mail: asanuo@heneise@uit.no

If you want to report something, please contact:

• Head of department or dean/director of the faculty.
• Director of Staff Julia Holte Sempler, phone: +47 77 64 68 18, e-mail: julia.sempler@uit.no
• Senior adviser Verena Woltering, phone: +47 77 66 05 61, email verena.woltering@uit.no,
• or Head og section for the learning environment and educational quality Øyvind Hjuring Mikalsen, phone: +47 77 64 92 58, email  oyvind.h.mikalsen@uit.no,  

Protection of the whistleblower

Pursuant to the Universities and Colleges Act § 4-3 b, retaliation against a student who reports is prohibited. Retaliation means any unfair action, practice or omission, which has the nature of punishment or sanction, and which is a result of or a reaction to the employee's notification. The university management will ensure that the whistleblower does not receive any negative reactions or consequences because they reported unacceptable behaviour on the part of employees or students.

The UiT will maintain confidentiality about sensitive personal data and will carefully consider who needs to be informed about the case. Information and details that appear in the case processing will not be made available to more people than necessary. The UiT will handle cases with discretion and as quickly as possible.

if you would like to talk to someone, please contact:

• Safety representative at UiT Employee representatives
• Occupational health service, phone: +47 77 69 10 70, e-mail: tromso@hemis.no 
• Line manager or manager higher up in the organisation
• The UiT's designated contact persons, see below

If you want to report something, please contact:

Head of department, dean or director of the faculty/unit

Director of Staff Julia Holte Sempler, phone: +47 77 64 68 17, e-mail: julia.sempler@uit.no

Legal advisers at the university management:

• Gunhild Stavem, phone: +47 77 64 49 13, e-mail: gunhild.stavem@uit.no
• Svetlana P. Johansen, phone + 47 77 64 57 14, e-mail: svetlana.p.johansen@uit.no

Protection of whistleblowers

Section 2 A-4 of the Working Environment Act prohibits retaliation against an employee who reports. Retaliation means any unfair action, practice or omission, which has the nature of punishment or sanction, and which is a result of or a reaction to the employee's notification.

PhD candidate s have the right to and are encouraged to report wrongdoing at the UiT.

• PhD candidates who are employed at the UiT can report in writing through the notification procedures for employees.
• PhD candidates who are not employed at the UiT can report in writing through the notification procedures for students.
• PhD candidates can also notify via their safety representative or employee representative.

Please contact:

• Administratively responsible for the course or study programme
• Head of department or dean/director of the faculty.
• Director of Staff Julia Holte Sempler, phone: +47 77 64 68 18, e-mail: julia.sempler@uit.no
• Senior adviser Verena Woltering, phone: +47 77 66 05 61, email verena.woltering@uit.no
• Student Ombudsman Torill Varberg, phone: +47 977 13 040, e-mail: studentombudet@uit.no
• Police tel. 02800
• UiT's 24-hour emergency hotline 776 44444

Please contact:

Nearest manager

• Head of department or dean/director of the faculty.
• Director of Staff Julia Holte Sempler, phone: +47 77 64 68 18, e-mail: julia.sempler@uit.no

• Legal advisers at the university management:

  • Gunhild Stavem, phone: +47 77 64 49 13, e-mail: gunhild.stavem@uit.no
  • Svetlana P. Johansen, phone + 47 77 64 57 14, e-mail: svetlana.p.johansen@uit.no
• Police tel. 02800
• UiT's 24-hour emergency hotline 776 44444

If you are a PhD candidate and will report, follow the guide for students if you are not employed at UiT, and the guide for employees if you are employed.