Student Handbook

University Support Services

Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE)

The ODE advises the President, the Provost for University Affairs, the Vice Provost for Multicultural Affairs, executive and senior administration on institutional diversity and civil rights matters, including affirmative action and human relations. It prepares the University’s Affirmative Action Plan for Employment, including recommending goals to increase the employment of under-represented groups and to promote cultural diversity. It manages special projects for the retention of women and minorities. The ODE monitors faculty and professional staff hiring; provides advice and training for hiring departments and search committees; evaluates the progress of the Affirmative Action Plan; and supports recruitment by identifying resources and developing other support mechanisms.

The ODE monitors the University’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and provides advice regarding accommodations for employees and visitors with disabilities. While the ODE’s primary emphasis is upon employment policies, practices and systems, it also addresses equal access to education via its complaint mechanisms. Discrimination complaints may be filed with ODE by individuals and groups and are investigated according to the University’s discrimination complaint procedures. Complaints may also be filed with the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights.