UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH POLICY 07-01-03
CATEGORY: PERSONNEL
SECTION: Recruitment
SUBJECT: Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action
EFFECTIVE DATE: March 25, 2010 Revised
PAGE(S): 3
I. SCOPE
This policy affirms the University of Pittsburgh commitment to nondiscrimination, equal
opportunity, and affirmative action in admissions, employment, access to and treatment
in University programs and activities, in accordance with federal, state, and local laws
and regulations. (Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Executive
Order 11246, as amended by Executive Order 11375; Revised Order No. 4; the Equal
Pay Act of 1963, as amended; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; the Vietnam
Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974; Titles VII and VIII of the Public Health
Service Act; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans With Disabilities
Act (ADA) of 1990, and all other applicable discrimination laws and ordinances of the
United States, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the City of Pittsburgh, or other applicable
regional governance.) Due to its unique aspects, sexual harassment is excepted from the
scope and is separately addressed under Policy 07-06-04, Sexual Harassment.
II. POLICY
Nondiscrimination
The University of Pittsburgh, as an educational institution and as an employer, values
equality of opportunity, human dignity, and racial/ethnic and cultural diversity. Accordingly,
the University prohibits and will not engage in discrimination or harassment on the basis
of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, familial status,
sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability, or status
as a veteran. The University also prohibits and will not engage in retaliation against any
person who makes a claim of discrimination or harassment or who provides information
in such an investigation. Further, the University will continue to take affirmative steps to
support and advance these values consistent with the University's mission.
Definition of Harassment
Harassment on the basis of a protected group status (i.e., due to an individual’s race, color,
religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation,
gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability, or status as a veteran) is a
form of discrimination prohibited by this policy.
Harassment may occur through a wide range of conduct, such as by verbal, physical or
electronic means when:
1. The conduct is severe or pervasive and objectively and subjectively has the effect of:
a. Unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or equal access to education; or
b. Creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or academic environment; or
2. Such conduct, if repeated, is reasonably likely to meet the standard set forth in number 1
immediately above.
Harassment can occur on University premises or, under limited circumstances, off campus.
It can occur between people of the same or different protected group statuses.
When constitutionally protected speech is implicated, this policy will be applied only to the
extent consistent with the First Amendment. In addition to meeting the standard set forth
above, to rise to the level of prohibited harassment when constitutionally protected speech
is implicated, the law requires a tenable threat of material and substantial disruption of
University operations or interference with the rights of others.
Affirmative Action
Responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of this policy and equal employment
opportunity and affirmative action programs is delegated by the Chancellor to the Director
of Affirmative Action, Diversity and Inclusion.
The Director of Affirmative Action, Diversity and Inclusion is responsible for:
- Updating policy statements and procedures concerning the University's Affirmative
Action Program and ensuring that University policies conform with all applicable
federal, Commonwealth, and local laws concerning nondiscrimination, equal opportunity,
and affirmative action.
- Reviewing, assisting in the development, and monitoring programs established under
the University's Affirmative Action Program.
- Facilitating the collection, maintenance, and analysis of all statistical data called for in
this Program and/or in the Program's implementation guidelines.
- Coordinating the preparation of all required government reports which relate to equal
opportunity and/or affirmative action programs within the University.
- Providing any technical and/or administrative assistance required to meet the
responsibilities mandated by the University's Program or by applicable equal employment
opportunity and/or affirmative action laws and regulations for all responsibility centers,
divisions, departments, or individuals within the University.
- Providing staff, technical support and general assistance to affirmative action committees.
- Reviewing all hiring, promotion, transfer, compensation, tenure, advertising and/or
publicity, admissions, financial aid, and institutional access policies within the University
to help ensure that these comply with the requirements of federal, Commonwealth, and
local laws and regulations and with University-wide policies relating to nondiscrimination,
equal opportunity, and affirmative action.
- Implementing, assisting, or monitoring the grievance process in all cases where
grievances related to discrimination matters arise within the University.
- Assuring that all official publications of the University contain a statement of the
University's Nondiscrimination Policy Publication Statement.
- Preparing and updating the Affirmative Action Program of the University annually for the
Chancellor's review and approval.
University Nondiscrimination Policy Publication Statement
The University of Pittsburgh, as an educational institution and as an employer, values
equality of opportunity, human dignity, and racial/ethnic and cultural diversity. Accordingly,
as fully explained in Policy 07-01-03, the University prohibits and will not engage in
discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry,
sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression,
genetic information, disability, or status as a veteran. The University also prohibits and will
not engage in retaliation against any person who makes a claim of discrimination or
harassment or who provides information in such an investigation. Further, the University
will continue to take affirmative steps to support and advance these values consistent with
the University's mission. This policy applies to admissions, employment, access to and
treatment in University programs and activities. This is a commitment made by the
University and is in accordance with federal, state, and/or local laws and regulations.
For information on University equal opportunity and affirmative action programs , please
contact: University of Pittsburgh, Office of Affirmative Action, Diversity and Inclusion, Carol
W. Mohamed, Director (and Title IX, 504 and ADA Coordinator), 412 Bellefield Hall, Pittsburgh,
PA 15260 (412) 648-7860.
For complete details on the University’s Nondiscrimination Policy, please refer to Policy
07-01-03. For information on how to file a complaint under this policy, please refer to Procedure
07-01-03.
Dissemination of the University of Pittsburgh's Nondiscrimination Policy Publication Statement
The University will inform all external recruiting sources, unions, contractors, other colleges
and universities, organizations specializing in the recruitment of minorities and women, and
other groups with whom it cooperates, of the University's Nondiscrimination Policy Publication
Statement.
The Nondiscrimination Policy Publication Statement is to appear in all University course and
program catalogs; student, faculty, and staff handbooks and policy manuals; brochures,
pamphlets, magazines, and newsletters concerning educational programs, admissions,
housing, financial assistance, employment, student life, and extracurricular activities; and
grants, contracts, and purchase orders. Smaller publications such as fliers, posters,
handouts, and bulletins pertaining to those areas cited above may carry either the
Nondiscrimination Policy Publication Statement or the statement that, "The University of
Pittsburgh is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution." The statement "The
University of Pittsburgh is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer" and/or other
approved phrase that advocates for racial, ethnic and cultural diversity must be included
on position notices.
III. REFERENCES