Equal Opportunity and Diversity Policy

Policy Statement
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is opposed to and condemns racism and the oppression of all individuals and groups. Acts of harassment, intimidation, or invasion of privacy that interferes with the rights of an individual or group to participate in the activities of the academic community shall be considered to be in violation of University policy.

Purpose
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth affirms its strong support and deep commitment to the continued development and maintenance of an academic community in which the individual dignity and potential of each of its members are given full respect, recognition, and encouragement. Our goal as an institution is to foster an environment in which all may study, live, and work securely and productively in an atmosphere characterized by civility and openness to the pursuit of academic excellence in the finest tradition of academia.

The University recognizes its affirmative obligation to foster a diverse and integrated learning environment. To this end, the University has a responsibility to vigorously pursue efforts to attract minorities, women and members of the historically disadvantaged groups as students, faculty members, and staff in sufficient numbers to alleviate isolation and ensure real integration and diversity in academic life. The University also recognizes its obligation to nurture community wide appreciation of cultural diversity and will dedicate appropriate resources to meet this commitment on an on-going basis.

Definitions and Procedures

Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity and Statement

The University of Massachusetts recognizes that Affirmative Action is mandated by Federal and State Law and affirms its commitment to those laws.

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth wholeheartedly supports and encourages the development of action programs designed to promote the employment and advancement of women, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans, persons with disabilities and Vietnam-era Veterans as a means of assuring compliance
with provisions of campus Affirmative Action plans. The University firmly supports the concept of equal opportunity without regard to an individual (race, color, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or veteran status as it applies to his/her employment, admission to and participation in the University programs and activities, provision of services, and selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. (University of Massachusetts, 6/3/92)

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies of the University: Assistant Chancellor for Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Outreach, Foster Administration
Building, Room 323, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, No. Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300. Telephone (508) 999-8008. Inquiries concerning the application of nondiscrimination policies may also be referred to the Regional Director, Office for Civil Rights, John F. Kennedy Federal Building, Room 1875, Government Center, Boston, MA 02203.

Gender Discrimination Statement

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is committed to ensuring equality and avoiding gender discrimination. Therefore, it is the University policy to avoid, in all University publications and communications, the use if language that perpetuates gender bias. University employees are encouraged to use gender-neutral language. In selecting textbooks and readings of the very highest quality, faculty members are urged to select those that are free of gender bias.

Notice of Nondiscrimination

It is the policy if UMass Dartmouth not to discriminate against any applicant for admission or employment, or against any employee, or in any educational programs, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, sex, or sexual orientation.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Assistant Chancellor for Equal Opportunity, Diversity, & Outreach, Foster Administration Building, Room 323, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300. Telephone 508-999-8008. Inquiries concerning the application of nondiscrimination policies may also be referred to the Regional Director, Office for Civil Rights, John F. Kennedy Federal Building, Room 1875, Boston, MA 02203.

Policy Against Intolerance

The Board of Trustees denounces intolerance, particularly that based on ethnicity, culture, religion, race or sexual orientation which interferes with those rights guaranteed by law, and insists that such conduct has no place in a community of learning. We also recognize the obligation of the University to protect the rights of free inquiry and expression, and nothing in the Resolution in Support of Pluralism or Policy Against Intolerances shall be construed or applied so as or abridge the exercise of rights under the Constitution of the United States and other Federal and State Laws. (University of Massachusetts, 6/3/92)

Resolution in Support of Pluralism

The Board of Trustees affirms its commitment to maintaining an academic environment which fosters pluralism, mutual respect, appreciation if divergent views, and awareness of the importance of individual rights. To this end, we reassert the importance of civility and the valuable contribution that diversity in race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and culture brings to the University community, and therefore we strongly encourage and support racial, ethical, cultural and religious pluralism. (University of Massachusetts, 6/3/92)

Council on Cultural Diversity and Pluralism

Established in 1996 the Council on Cultural Diversity and Pluralism (CCDP) is a collective of students, staff, faculty and administrators committed to the promotion of cultural diversity and pluralism with the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth community. CCDP’s mission is stated as follows:

The Council on Cultural Diversity and Pluralism, through its activities and programs, promotes increasing institutional awareness and education, understanding and appreciation of out country’s cultural diversity; and the importance of a global, multicultural perspective in our lives. The Council encourages institutional efforts to offset the persistent adverse effects on individuals and groups, which have resulted from historic, social and economic inequities as well as discrimination. It supports faculty, staff, and students in facilitating discussions, celebrating cultural differences, and recognizing diverse teaching methodologies, learning abilities, and lifestyles. The Council seeks to foster an institutional environment that values differences in people, including those based on age, race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, and learning ability.

Through its activities, the Council hopes to develop more positive relationships between campus and regional communities. The Council embraces these goals not only because they are educationally and ethically sound, but also because in a more practical sense they are vital to our future prosperity and global well being. For more information, call 508-999-8600 or visit the Student Affairs Office, Campus Center, Room 221.

Responsibility
The Assistant Chancellor for Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Outreach has the primary responsibility for communicating this policy to the campus and for ensuring that alleged violations of the policy are adjudicated via publicized processes. Where appropriate, the Student Affairs Office may also receive complaints alleging violations of student conduct.

Attachments
None.