University of Tennessee at Knoxville
PAE-6: Diversity and Equity Coordination

The Council for Diversity & Interculturalism advises the UT Knoxville administration on creating and sustaining a welcoming, supportive and inclusive campus climate to all groups. Committee goals include attracting and retaining faculty and staff from under-represented populations; attracting, retaining and graduating students from historically under-represented populations and international students; and ensuring that undergraduate curricular requirements include significant intercultural perspectives.

Co-chairs: Anton Reece, Director, Student Success Center Donna Thomas, Administrator, Women's Athletics Membership: Camille Hall, Faculty, College of Social Work Lynn Sacco, Faculty, History Sarah Fisher Gardial, Staff, Office of Provost & Vice Chancellor Brandon McGee, Student, Undergraduate Admissions Andrew Morse, student, Office of the Chancellor Annazette Houston, Staff, Disability Services Pia Wood, Staff, Center for International Education Marva Rudolph, Director Office of Equity and Diversity Herb Byrd, Staff, Extension Evaluation and Staff Development Joan Heminway, Faculty, College of Law Tracy Childress, Student, Office of Equity and Diversity Rita Geier, Staff, Office of the Chancellor. Robert Hinde, Staff, Department of Arts and Sciences Carolyn Hodges, Staff, Graduate School Charles Houston, Staff, Development Office Tyler Johnson, Staff, Men's Athletic Department Margie Nichols, Vice Chancellor, Department of Communication and Information Tyvi Small, Staff, College of Business and Administration Mike Wirth, Staff, College of Communication and Information

The Office of Equity and Diversity serves the campus in two primary roles. First, OED provides leadership, resources, and services of the University community, and acts as a support for the enhancement of diversity programs campus-wide. Second, OED fulfills an important compliance function by working with various legal mandates set out by state and federal law, and University policies as they relate to civil rights, equal employment and affirmative action.

The position supervises employees and graduate assistants in the office of Diversity and Equity. The Director of Diversity and Equity serves to make sure that the university and federal guidelines are followed as it relates to American Disabilities Act, Title IX of the education amendment, and providing coverage against sexual harassment from employees. The director also supervises cases based on discrimination, and serves as Chancellor liaison to special purpose commissions for women, blacks, LGBT, council on diversity, and exempt staff council. The Director also requests information from external compliances such as Title 6, OFCCP, Office of civil rights, and TN human rights commission. The Director of Diversity and Equity also works with student affairs and general council, and reviews all requests related to searching for exempt staff council, executive positions.