Tufts University
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

https://oeo.tufts.edu/policies-procedures/non-discrimination-policy/ Tufts prohibits discrimination against and harassment of any employee or any applicant for employment because of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, veteran status or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law. All personnel who are responsible for hiring and promoting employees and for the development and implementation of university programs or activities are charged to support this effort and to respond promptly and appropriately to any concerns that are brought to their attention. Non-Discrimination Statement: Tufts does not discriminate in its educational programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability or handicap, sex or gender (including pregnancy, sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct including acts of sexual violence such as rape, sexual assault, sexual exploitation and coercion), gender identity and/or expression (including a transgender identity), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law. Retaliation is also prohibited. Tufts will comply with state and federal laws such as M.G.L. c. 151B, Title IX, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment and Rights Act, Executive Order 11246 and other similar laws that prohibit discrimination, all as amended. Tufts is an equal employment opportunity/ affirmative action employer. More detailed Tufts policies and procedures on this topic may be found in the OEO Policies and Procedures page. Unlawful discrimination has no place at Tufts University and offends the University’s core values which include a commitment to equal opportunity and inclusion. All Tufts employees, faculty members, students and community members are expected to join with and uphold this commitment. Any member of the Tufts University community has the right to raise concerns or make a complaint regarding discrimination under this policy without fear of retaliation. Any and all inquiries regarding the application of this statement and related policies may be referred to: Jill Zellmer, MSW, Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, Title IX and 504 Coordinator, at 617.627.3298 at 196 Boston Avenue, 3rd floor, Medford, MA or at Jill.Zellmer@tufts.edu Anonymous complaints may also be made by reporting online at: tufts-oeo.ethicspoint.com As set forth in our policies, individuals may also file complaints with administrative agencies such as the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”). The contact information for the local office of OCR is 617.289.0111 at Office for Civil Rights, Boston Office U.S. Department of Education, 8th Floor, 5 Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109-3921. The email address for OCR is OCR.Boston@ed.gov. Please note that we also have a separate Non-Discrimination Policy.

The Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) exists to ensure that the University’s commitment and goals toward equal opportunity are integral components of Tufts’ policies. OEO cooperates with members of the Tufts community to resolve complaints of discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct, and set forth University policies and guidelines that pertain to these areas of conflict. The OEO also ensures that the University maintains compliance with all federal, state, and local laws pertaining to affirmative action. OEO is guided by the University’s commitment to and desire for a truly integrated, interactive, productive, successful, and diverse body of students, faculty, staff, and community members. https://oeo.tufts.edu/

To increase diversity and promote interdisciplinary scholarship, Tufts fosters relationships with various organizations across the nation. Through these partnerships, Tufts Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and School of Engineering offer prospective students a variety of benefits, including application fee waivers. The Bridge to Liberal Arts Success (BLAST) vision is to develop a strong cohort of scholars from multiple backgrounds who strive for academic excellence, active citizenship, and leadership. BLAST works to instill leadership values that last each scholar for his or her entire college career and beyond. The purpose of the program is to support, develop, and retain students who may be first in their family to attend a four-year college and/or have attended under-resourced high schools and/or have been affiliated with a college access agency. BLAST is a residential six-week program in the summer prior to the first year at Tufts with program commitments during each of the following academic years. This program prepares students for a rigorous college curriculum and orientation to Tufts culture and resources to provide for a successful transition. Scholars are introduced to engaging speakers in workshops and offered leadership development training that cultivates active citizenship. Each of the students who commits to the BLAST program has met all the requirements to be admitted into Tufts University. Scholars are given the opportunity to participate in the summer program and receive two course credits, financial support, and workshops relevant to college life. (http://as.tufts.edu/BLAST/) While Tufts does not have specific programs for recruiting faculty or staff from underrepresented groups, Tufts HR does use statistical ethnicity analysis of current employees to influence the diversity of the applicant pool. Tufts' philosophy is that if there is a diverse applicant pool the likelihood that the most qualified candidate may help with that deficit increases. It’s not a quota system or a system designed to hire only an under-represented applicant, but rather to find the most qualified candidate in a diverse applicant pool from those who are representative of the experience within the world outside of Tufts. This aim is limited by the willingness of employees to disclose their ethnicity during the hiring process. The Quest Scholars are high financial need students who come to Tufts via Questbridge and receive full scholarships and no loans. (http://www.questbridge.org/)

The School of Engineering and the Center for STEM Diversity, in conjunction with Admissions, directs the Bridge to Engineering Success at Tufts (BEST) program, a six-week summer bridge program for incoming engineering students. The program is designed to give nominated students an opportunity to take two Tufts University courses for credit and participate in academic and college life workshops that are designed to assist incoming first-year underrepresented students in the transition from high school to college. (http://engineering.tufts.edu/best/) Tufts also has a resource center specifically to address first generation students. "The FIRST Resource Center was founded to create a community of support and to develop a network of resources for Tufts University’s first generation, low-income, and undocumented populations. FIRST welcomes any student who self identifies with the first generation college student experience." (http://students.tufts.edu/academic-advice-and-support/student-success-and-advising/first-resource-center) The Multi-Ethnic Graduate Alliance (MEGA) is a social and educational organization serving graduate students from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering, the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, the School of Dental Medicine, The Fletcher School, the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, the School of Medicine, and the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences. Plans include social and educational events supporting diverse students and diversity, and the Graduate Diversity Recruiter program. The Africana; Asian American; International; Latino; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender; and Women’s Centers — the “Group of Six” — work with students on intellectual, leadership, and personal development and serve as advisors to integrate academic and co-curricular activities for the campus community. In conjunction with a range of university departments and offices, the Centers cultivate an environment where diverse student backgrounds and philosophies are supported and valued. The Centers also work with faculty, staff, and students to address academic, climate, and diversity issues. In addition to the Group of Six centers, the International Center staff provides individual counseling, immigration advising, and visa documents for students, faculty, and scholars from over 100 countries. They coordinate a number of events throughout the year, including an undergraduate pre-orientation program (Global Orientation), and in collaboration with the International Club (I-Club), co-sponsor the Parade of Nations. For graduate students, programs include a fall orientation and the Intercultural Conversation Program. They plan social events such as a formal Thanksgiving dinner and Spring BBQ. These activities allow students to engage in informal dialogue, become familiar with U.S. culture, and meet other students, faculty, and staff. Lastly, the International Center offers workshops on U.S. employment opportunities (both while pursuing a degree and after graduation), cultural re-adjustment issues, and compliance with U.S. tax regulations. They also administer emergency student loans. The staff advises the International House and the International Club. Through the International Alumni Network, the I-Center is a place for current students and alumni to remain in touch with Tufts. Inclusive Learning Institute Through interactive workshops, discussions, and engaging activities, this four-day institute provides participants with foundational skills and strategies to foster an inclusive classroom environment and promote enhanced learning for all students in their classes. Innovations in Diversity Education Awards (IDEAS) is an intramural grant program that helps faculty members pursuing scholarly and innovative work in the areas of workforce diversity, health care disparity, and promoting cultural competency among students and trainees. Tufts is a member of the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD), a national organization that supports faculty through intensive mentoring programs, writing support, webinars, on-campus workshops, and professional development training. It is an organization dedicated to supporting academics throughout their careers. For a more extensive list of programs and more detailed information on the programs above, please refer to the Diversity Council Report at http://provost.tufts.edu/wp-content/uploads/ or visit diversity.tufts.edu. AmeriCorps - A civic engagement program that places committed volunteers in immersive service placements. City Year - Volunteer program bridging the gap in high-poverty communities between the support that students actually need, and what their schools are designed and resourced to provide. Leadership Alliance - An academic consortium of thirty-five colleges and universities that helps students from under-represented groups to develop into leaders in academia, business, and the public sector. McNair Scholars - A federally funded educational opportunity outreach program designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral level study and research. The National GEM Consortium - A network of corporations, government laboratories, and top research institutions established to equip qualified students from under-represented communities to pursue graduate study in the field of applied science and engineering. NESCAC Seniors - Students enrolled in New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) member schools. PIKSI - Supports undergraduate students from under-represented groups, such as women and People of Color, in their pursuit of graduate study in philosophy. Teach for America - A nonprofit organization that recruits recent college graduates from top universities to teach for two years with the hopes of affecting positive changes in under-resourced urban or rural public schools. https://asegrad.tufts.edu/graduate-admissions/partnerships

The Training in Education and Critical Research Skills (TEACRS) Program at Tufts provides gifted postdoctoral scholars with the skills needed to succeed in balancing their research with teaching at the undergraduate level. Based at the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, it draws researchers from across the university together to train the next generation of academic faculty. The McNair Scholars Program is a federally funded educational opportunity outreach program designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral level study and research. McNair Scholars tend to be first-generation students with financial need or members of a group traditionally underrepresented in graduate education who show bright academic promise. The Institute for Recruitment of Teachers (IRT) is dedicated to empowering talented but underserved and underrepresented students who aspire to be leaders in American education. By developing these students into innovative and positive role models, they will be the much- needed voices of advocacy for greater changes in our education system. Tufts belongs to the New England Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NE-HERC). This consortium of universities provides a website for posting faculty and staff positions and information about resources; convenes semi-annual meetings for member institutions that provide information and opportunities for networking; and emphasizes recruiting a diverse workforce. Tufts University is also a member of the National GEM Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science. The Tufts Center for STEM Diversity offers support programs for graduate programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. As an Affirmative Action employer, Tufts is required by law to file a yearly Affirmative Action Plan (AAP). The AAP, based on US Census data, provides a benchmark for comparison with similarly situated peer institutions and provides milestones for tracking and measuring our efforts in areas such as candidate pool diversity, and diversity of Tufts’ employee population versus the census data. In addition to these university-wide programs, each school takes measures to ensure that faculty searches yield diverse candidate pools and hires.

A list of Gender Neutral Bathrooms at Tufts is compiled by the Tufts University LGBT Center and can be found at http://ase.tufts.edu/lgbt/documents/genderNeutralRestrooms.pdf -or- http://students.tufts.edu/sites/default/files/genderNeutralRestrooms.pdf