Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy
The University of Alabama endorses a student, faculty, and administrative community enriched by individuals of diverse national origins, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, cultures, socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds, ages, physical abilities, and religious and political beliefs. On November 5, 2014, University President Judy Bonner issued a reaffirmation of The University of Alabama’s Statement on Diversity, which reads as follows:
THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA STATEMENT ON DIVERSITY
The work of The University of Alabama is of critical importance to our state, nation, and world. Each day our students, faculty, staff, and administrators touch lives through their amazing work in and out of the classroom. Guiding our work is a set of core values. They include, but are not limited to creating an environment that fosters integrity, respect, trust, openness, exceptional performance, and accountability. We work to create an environment that encourages each individual to realize their full potential as we embrace their differences.
The mission of The University of Alabama is to advance the intellectual and social condition of the people of the State through quality programs of teaching, research, and service. That educational mission is enhanced by the robust exchange of ideas that occurs within a diverse and inclusive environment. Students who learn from each other and from faculty members and administrators, including those at the highest levels of leadership, in an environment with a variety of backgrounds are better able to understand, appreciate, and contribute to our twenty-first century global society. Consequently, the University endorses a student, faculty, and administrative community enriched by individuals of diverse national origins, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, cultures, socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds, ages, physical abilities, and religious and political beliefs. The University is committed to offering diverse cultural programs, intercultural education, and other educational initiatives (such as the University’s Crossroads Community Center) that enhance awareness and appreciation of cultural and individual diversity, promote community, and prepare students for the global society in which they will live and work.
As an institution of higher learning, The University of Alabama attaches great value to freedom of speech and open debate, but it also attaches great importance to the principles of civility and respect which govern an academic community. Harassment or other illegal discrimination against individuals or groups not only is a violation of University Policy and subject to disciplinary action, but also is inconsistent with the values and ideals of the University. Likewise, retaliation in the form of harassment, intimidation, threats, or coercion, or in the form of any materially adverse harm that would dissuade a reasonable student or employee from filing a harassment or discrimination complaint or participating in a related investigation is also prohibited. Engaging in any such retaliatory action may also subject the student or employee to disciplinary action.
The University maintains the UACT website (www.ua.edu/uact/), which provides a comprehensive list of available reporting channels through which students, employees and campus visitors can report acts of discrimination, retaliation, harassment, sexual assault or sexual violence (including dating violence, domestic violence and stalking), hazing, threat assessment or fraud, and violation of the Child Protection Policy. Members of the University community are encouraged to review the information on that website, and to refer those with issues of concern to that website to ensure prompt reporting to the appropriate University officials.
It is the goal of The University of Alabama to cultivate a hospitable campus environment in which all members of the University can work together and learn from each other in a climate of mutual respect. I pledge my personal commitment to this goal, and I hope that all in the campus community will pledge their commitment as well.
