SOUTHERN
METHODIST UNIVERSITY
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
EEO/INSTITUTIONAL ACCESS AND EQUITY
POLICY
NUMBER: 2.1
REVISED
AS OF: January 18, 2013
NONDISCRIMINATION, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY POLICY
Policy: SMU
will not discriminate in any employment practice, educational program, or
educational activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin,
sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. SMU’s commitment
to equal opportunity includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual
orientation and gender identity and expression. These groups may be referred to
as protected classes. This policy is intended to comply with applicable
federal, state and local laws and regulations. The Office of Institutional
Access and Equity has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the
nondiscrimination policies.
The University expects its campus
community to respect the rights and dignity of all its members in matters of
personnel consideration, admissions, or academic evaluation. The University is
committed to policies and actions that assure and promote equality of access
and opportunity to its educational and employment programs. Individuals are
afforded the rights and privileges established by the University for living,
studying, working and visiting on the campuses of Southern Methodist
University. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the University does not:
A. limit
freedom of religion;
B. require
adherence to these principles by government agencies or external organizations
that associate with, but are not controlled by, the University; and
C. extend benefits or remedies to any student, faculty, or
staff beyond those benefits or remedies provided under other policies of the
University.
The University will make changes in its
educational and employment programs in order to comply with applicable federal,
state, and local laws, regulations and directives and in order to promote
diversity and take remedial action. The University will identify, initiate, and
implement policies and programs that will facilitate nondiscrimination, promote
affirmative action and take remedial measures as indicated to enhance diversity
among its students, faculty, staff and administration in all areas at all
levels.
Every member of the University community
has a responsibility to be supportive of and to assist the University to meet
its established goals and commitments and its legal obligations. Every division
of the University will adopt realistic and viable plans of action to achieve
immediate and long-range goals to increase and advance the presence of
protected class members among students, faculty and staff in recruitment,
admissions, and employment; to identify and implement support structures that
enhance student, faculty and staff retention and advancement; and to promote
the goal of achieving greater racial, ethnic, gender and cultural diversity for
the University community.
The Associate Vice President for
Institutional Access and Equity and/or designee is the President's principal
assistant for the coordination of a variety of University policies, procedures,
programs and initiatives. The Associate Vice President and/or designee will
assist administrative officials in the development and implementation of programs,
strategies, and activities to promote the goal of promoting nondiscrimination
and increasing diversity among protected classes in accordance with established
goals and commitments.
Any person covered by this policy that
has a claim of impermissible discrimination, harassment, assault or violence
based on membership in a protected class is encouraged to promptly contact the
Office of Institutional Access and Equity and make known their complaint. The
Office will address the report pursuant to SMU policy.
Any member of the University community
that becomes aware of a potential violation of SMU policy that prohibits
discrimination, harassment, assault or violence against protected class members
is obligated to promptly report it to the Office of Institutional Access and
Equity. The Office will address the report pursuant to SMU policy.
The Office of Institutional Access and
Equity has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination
and affirmative action policies and may be contacted at Southern Methodist
University, Dallas, TX 75275; 214-768-3601, or by e-mail at accessequity@smu.edu
The University reserves the right to
review and investigate potential violations of SMU policy whether through the
filing of a complaint or otherwise at its sole discretion.