University of Virginia
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

The University of Virginia (“UVA”) does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, military status (which includes active duty service members, reserve service members, and dependents), national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information, in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Governor’s Executive Order Number One (2018), and other applicable statutes and University policies. UVA prohibits sexual and gender-based harassment, including sexual assault, and other forms of interpersonal violence.

Individuals, including UVA students and employees, and participants in UVA’s programs or activities, may be entitled to reasonable accommodations or modifications for a disability. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act, Rehabilitation Act, and related statutes and regulations: ADA Coordinator, Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights, P.O. Box 400144, Charlottesville, VA 22903, (434) 924-3200, ADACoordinator@virginia.edu. A Deputy ADA Coordinator has also been designated to assist the ADA Coordinator: P.O. Box 400144, Charlottesville, VA 22903, (434) 924-3200, ADACoordinator@virginia.edu.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Associate Vice President, Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights, P.O. Box 400219, (434) 924-3200, UVAEOCR@virginia.edu.

The following person has been designated to serve as the overall coordinator for purposes of Title IX compliance: Assistant Vice President & Title IX Coordinator, (434) 297-7988, TitleIXCoordinator@virginia.edu. A Deputy Title IX Coordinator has also been designated to assist the Title IX Coordinator: (434) 297-7988, TitleIXCoordinator@virginia.edu.

Complaints of discrimination, harassment and other forms of interpersonal violence, and retaliation may be submitted to the UVA Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (“EOCR”). Complaint resolution procedures, which include information on how to submit a complaint, are available on EOCR’s website. Complaints may also be filed with external agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Commonwealth of Virginia Office of Civil Rights, and the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management.

The statement is posted on the Division for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion website: https://eocr.virginia.edu/notice-non-discrimination-and-equal-opportunity

Please see descriptions of The University of Virginia's (UVA) various response protocols and teams:

BIAS OR DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT:
The University of Virginia's (UVA) Preventing and Addressing Discrimination and Harassment (PADH) policy prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, family medical or genetic information, gender identity or expression, marital status, military status (which includes active duty service members, reserve service members, and dependents), national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Please note that sexual harassment and gender-based harassment are prohibited by a separate University policy, the Sexual Misconduct Policy.

The University defines "bias" as "a threat or act of harassment or intimidation – verbal, written or physical – which is personally directed against or targets a University of Virginia student because of that student’s age, color, disability, family medical or genetic information, gender identity or expression, marital status, military status (which includes active duty service members, reserve service members, and dependents), national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.”

To report bias and discrimination/harassment, sexual and gender-based harassment and violence, hazing, Clery Act compliance, and other concerns, UVA community members may report an incident through Just Report It: https://justreportit.virginia.edu/

When incidents are reported through the Just Report It system (https://justreportit.virginia.edu/), a dean on call will contact the complainant within 24 hours and assemble the university's bias response team as needed.

If you are not a University student or employee, you may report such conduct by or affecting (1) a University student, by contacting Student Affairs, or (2) a University employee, by contacting the Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights.

Detailed information about the University’s Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (EOCR) is available on the EOCR website, including how to access confidential and other relevant University resources: https://eocr.virginia.edu/

Contact Information
Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (EOCR) Main Office
O’Neil Hall
P.O. Box 400219
Charlottesville, VA 22904
(434) 924-3200
uvaeocr@virginia.edu

Care and Support Services
Peabody Hall, Second Floor
(434) 924-7133
cass@virginia.edu

To contact the Dean on Call: (434) 924-7133 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). After hours contact the University Police Department at (434) 924-7166 and ask them to refer you to the Dean on Call.

DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT:
The Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights is committed to preventing and addressing discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace and the educational environment, including educational programs and activities.

The University's Preventing and Addressing Discrimination and Harassment (PADH) policy prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of age, color, race, disability, marital status, military status (including active duty service members, reserve service members, and dependents), national and ethnic origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, family medical or genetic information, as well as other forms of sex discrimination not covered by the University’s Policy on Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Other Forms of Interpersonal Violence.

The Preventing and Addressing Retaliation (PAR) policy prohibits retaliation against individuals who complain of discrimination and harassment under the PADH policy and who participate in an investigation into such complaint.

For information about the Policy on Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Other Forms of Interpersonal Violence, which prohibits sexual assault, sexual exploitation, intimate partner violence, stalking, sexual and gender-based harassment, complicity, and retaliation, please visit the Title IX & Sexual Misconduct page: https://eocr.virginia.edu/title-ix

Information about the complaint process, investigations, Formal Procedures, Informal Procedures has been attempted. EOCR responds to complaints in accordance with the procedures outlined below. However, there may be exceptional circumstances that justify a departure from these procedures, and, should such circumstances arise, EOCR will advise the parties to the complaint as soon as possible. Information about how to file a complaint, the complaint evaluation process, the investigation and timeline, the decision, and notice of outcome to parties is available here: https://eocr.virginia.edu/file-complaint

In addition, the Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS) informs students of standards of conduct, university policies related to discrimination and harassment, the Title IX policy, and the Just Report It complaint system. Information for students is available here: https://studentaffairs.virginia.edu/topic/student-safety

DISCLOSURES OF SEXUAL AND GENDER-BASED HARASSMENT AND OTHER FORMS OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
In order to fulfill its obligations under federal law the Sexual Misconduct Policy, the University has developed a reporting policy (the "Reporting Policy") to clarify the responsibilities of University employees who become aware of an incident of Prohibited Conduct. These responsibilities differ for employees who have been designated as "Confidential Employees" and employees who have been designated as "Responsible Employees."

CONFIDENTIAL EMPLOYEE
Pursuant to the University's Reporting Policy, a "Confidential Employee" is (1) Any University employee who is a licensed medical, clinical, or mental-health professional (e.g., physicians, nurses, physicians' assistants, psychologists, psychiatrists, professional counselors and social workers, and those performing services under their supervision) (collectively "Health Care Providers"), when performing the duties of that professional role; (2) any University employee when performing administrative, operational, and/or related support for such health care providers; (3) any University employee who is an Athletic Trainer working under the supervision of a licensed medical or healthcare professional when performing the duties of that professional role; and (4) the University Ombuds when performing the duties of that professional role.

The University urges students and employees to seek emotional support after any incident of Prohibited Conduct. For this purpose, employees may seek out a Confidential Employee and/or they may seek out one or more confidential sources for crisis and ongoing counseling in the local community. More information about the options available to employees for confidential counseling and support, both at the University and in the local community is set forth in the Resource and Reporting Guide for Employees ("Employee Resource Guide"), and in the Confidential Resources Chart.

If an individual wishes to disclose information only to a Confidential Employee, the student or employee should understand that, except in limited circumstances (e.g., (1) you give written consent to disclose the information; (2) there is a concern that an individual will cause serious physical harm to self or others; or (3) the information concerns conduct involving suspected abuse or neglect of a minor under the age of 18), the University will be unable to use the information to conduct an investigation into the alleged incident or to pursue disciplinary action.

If an individual initially seeks the assistance of a Confidential Employee, the student or employee always has the right to report an incident of Prohibited Conduct to the University and/or local law enforcement. In such cases, if the individual communicates to a Confidential Employee that they wish to make a report, the Confidential Employee should support their decision and direct the individual to the Just Report It form, the Title IX Coordinator, or the Deputy Title IX Coordinator.

Employees may obtain information from Confidential Employees about how to access health or mental health services, including victim advocacy services. If a student or employee wishes to request remedial or protective measures (such as a no contact directive, academic modifications and support, or modifications to University residence, employment, and/or parking arrangements), the student or employee will be directed to the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Title IX Coordinator are not Confidential Employees and thus will disclose any information you share with them about the Prohibited Conduct. However, a student or employee may receive assistance, support, and appropriate remedial measures regardless of whether they decide to pursue or participate in a complaint or investigation under the Sexual Misconduct Policy or through law enforcement.

Resources for confidential employees are available here: https://eocr.virginia.edu/confidential-employees-and-confidential-resources

RESPONSIBLE EMPLOYEE
If you are a Responsible Employee, in no event should the victim be told that your conversation will be confidential.

As a University of Virginia employee, you have an obligation under the University's Reporting Policy, to report to the University's Title IX Coordinator if you witness or receive a report of Prohibited Conduct under the University's Sexual Misconduct Policy. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the University's Reporting Policy and the Sexual Misconduct Policy and your duties and responsibilities under those policies.

Pursuant to the Reporting Policy, a Responsible Employee is required to report to the University's Title IX Coordinator all information (e.g., the names of the reporting party, the parties, any witnesses, and any other relevant information, including the date, time, and location of the alleged incident) disclosed to them about an incident of Prohibited Conduct. This report may be made using the University's Just Report It form or by contacting the Title IX Office directly at (434) 297-7988, titleixoffice@virginia.edu, or O'Neil Hall, 445 Rugby Rd., Suite C023.

Responsible Employees are not required to report disclosures made:

In the context of public awareness events (e.g., "Take Back the Night," candlelight vigils, protests, "survivor speak-outs" or other public forums in which students or employees may disclose incidents of Prohibited Conduct;
During an individual's participation as a subject in an Institutional Review Board-approved human subjects research protocol; OR
When the disclosure is made in the course of academic coursework, including classroom discussion, papers, or other assignments, unless the disclosure was made to obtain help related to the issue, academic accommodations, extensions, etc.

Resources for responsible employees are available here: https://eocr.virginia.edu/responsible-employees

The Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion assists and monitors all units of the University in their efforts to recruit and retain faculty, staff and students from historically underrepresented groups and to provide affirmative and supportive environments for work and life at the University of Virginia.

Students: The UVA Office of Undergraduate Admission outreach team hosts on- and off-campus, both in-person and virtual, events to recruit students from underrepresented groups. It recruits within the constraints of the Supreme Court decision regarding affirmative action and has adjusted its application process accordingly. UVA's Office of Undergraduate Admission maintains communication channels to help recruit students. https://admission.virginia.edu/outreach. In addition, UVA recruits underrepresented students through several scholarships and programs, some through its foundations, such as: University Achievement Award, Posse Foundation, Clark Scholars, Ridley Scholars, and Blue Ridge Scholars.

Staff: UVA's Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights works closely with hiring officials, search managers, human resources representatives, and the Office of the Provost to ensure that the University's recruitment, hiring, and other selection processes are conducted fairly and consistently. More information is available here: https://eocr.virginia.edu/recruitment-and-hiring.

The Apprenticeship Program in Facilities Management is an example of UVA's efforts to recruit staff from underrepresented groups and the local community. Established in 1982, UVA Facilities Management Apprenticeship Program offers highly motivated applicants an opportunity to learn a skilled trade through a combination of on-the-job training, technical education and classroom instruction in a four-year program. The University’s apprenticeship program was the first of its kind to be established by a state agency in Virginia and has been a model for other programs. In addition to the success and longevity of the program, Facilities Management is proud that the majority of graduated apprentices make a career at the University. Apprentices learn trades such as plumbing, electrical, carpentry and more under the tutelage of experienced staff members and while earning a salary with benefits. For more information, see: https://apprenticeship.fm.virginia.edu/

Faculty: UVA's Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights works closely with hiring officials, search managers, human resources representatives, and the Office of the Provost to ensure that the University's recruitment, hiring, and other selection processes are conducted fairly and consistently. More information is available here: https://eocr.virginia.edu/recruitment-and-hiring.

In addition, the Office of the Provost in collaboration with individual schools and departments has secured funding for post-doctoral positions through programs such as the Mellon Foundation to recruit underrepresented minority candidates to post-doc positions as a pathway to obtaining tenure-track faculty positions. More information about the Mellon grant: https://news.virginia.edu/content/5-million-mellon-grant-backs-new-academic-program-race-place-and-equity.

Over the past couple of years the Center for Teaching Excellence and Provost Office have expanded resources for faculty members, including the addition of an in-house theater program to create opportunities for faculty to engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion topics. More information about CTE and UVA ACTS is available here: https://provost.virginia.edu/subsite/uvaacts.

In addition, the "Leadership in Academic Matters" program (LAM) is geared towards junior faculty who demonstrate leadership characteristics and potential. A faculty development opportunity, LAM is focused on supporting, inspiring, and rewarding those who have demonstrated leadership characteristics and future potential. LAM provides participants with concrete resources, access to expertise and experiential learning opportunities focused on a variety of topics including managing change, building and managing teams, difficult conversations, developing successful networks, and finding life balance in a dynamic and growing career. For more information, see: https://provost.virginia.edu/subsite/faculty-development/lam

The University also administers several faculty recruitment programs to promote a diverse faculty and an inclusive climate. The Office of the Provost offers financial and recruitment assistance to support the strategic goals of Schools in building a diverse faculty. In response to surveys of faculty who did not accept University employment offers, the University has identified dual career support as a key factor in recruiting a diverse faculty and has increased capabilities in this area; UVA now has a "Dual Career Program" and staff: https://dualcareer.virginia.edu/.

The Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) provides support for underrepresented groups at UVA through its various initiatives and programs, including but not limited to: Men of Color, Honor, and Ambition (MOCHA) and Women of Color, Honor, and Ambition (WOCHA); the Virginia-North Carolina Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation; Inclusive Excellence; learning series; community events such as the Community MLK Celebration; diversity training; and consultation. ODEI convenes the Diversity Council serves as a body to exchange information about programs and initiatives that support marginalized students, faculty, and staff, among other functions. Diversity Council as two subcommittees with representation of students, faculty, and staff: the LGBTQ Committee and the Disability Advocacy Committee.

Support targeted to faculty and staff:
The Division for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion supports employee resource groups for faculty and staff, including the Latinx Employee Resource Group, the Military Service Veteran Employee Resource Group, the Black Faculty and Staff Employee Resource Group, the Native & Indigenous Relations Community, and the Organization of Employees from Africa. More information about these ERGs is available here: https://dei.virginia.edu/employee-resource-groups

UVA’s Staff Senate hosts a resources page with accessibility services and diversity resources on its website: https://staffsenate.virginia.edu/resources

Finally, see the section above regarding Provost Office support for faculty.

Support Targeted to Students :
The Office of African-American Affairs (https://oaaa.virginia.edu/) was established in 1976 as an integral part of the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Virginia. It is charged with the responsibility of assisting academic and non-academic units in meeting the challenges of service delivery to African-American students. The Office assumes broad responsibility for the creation of a supportive environment which promotes the students' full participation in the University's extracurricular life and enhances the sensitivity of the larger community to the needs, interests, and culture of its students. At the same time, it recognizes the intellectual and social diversity among African-American students and strives to gear its programs and services accordingly.

The Office of Graduate Student Diversity Programs (https://graddiversity.virginia.edu/) is committed to the identification, retention, mentoring, and graduation of a highly talented and diverse graduate student population. The Office firmly believes that a community of diverse graduate students at the University of Virginia is integral for maintaining our position as a global leader in education, advancing scholarly pursuits and academic quality, and fostering an environment of inclusiveness and support.

The Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS) along with various colleagues and other offices provide support, assistance and advocacy to students through peer education, outreach, mentoring programs and leadership programs. ODOS houses Multicultural Student Services (MSS). MSS aims to promote inclusion and engagement for historically underrepresented students. MSS enhances the undergraduate experience through co-curricular programs and culturally relevant services that are meant to empower students in their identity, build community, and help a diverse group of students find their individual and collective voices. MSS staff work with students to develop programs offered through the Multicultural Student Center, the LGBTQ Center, Latinx Student Center, Asian American Student Center, and an Interfaith Student Center, all located in Newcomb Hall. More information can be found here: the https://studentaffairs.virginia.edu/subsite/multicultural
These important centers of student life have been designed to meet the needs of students to find community and engage in rich dialogue. The Centers offer meeting and program space for student groups, study space with computers, a comfortable lounge area, and conference rooms. These Centers are open to everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, ability, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Student Disability Access Center (SDAC) is the University of Virginia’s designated access agency for students with disabilities. SDAC supports UVA students in the work of creating access to the full University experience. Its primary role is to determine eligibility and to provide reasonable academic accommodations for students with disabilities in line with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended. These federal laws ensure that institutions of higher learning provide equal access to students with disabilities who are "otherwise qualified" to meet the essential demands of the academic program. SDAC provides services to two groups of students: those who have been previously diagnosed with a disability; and those who have never been diagnosed, but find themselves struggling academically, and seek advice and support on their difficulties.

The University of Virginia Women’s Center (https://womenscenter.virginia.edu/) educates UVA students in how to create change in self, community, and the world by providing programs and services that advocate gender equity. The Women’s Center’s mission is education and its founding vision included fostering leadership, engaged scholarship, safety, and well-being. The Women's Center offers a number of services and opportunities, ranging from academic internships to counseling services.

The Virginia-North Carolina Alliance (VA-NC Alliance) is led by the University of Virginia and includes the following partners: Bennett College, Elizabeth City State University, George Mason University, Johnson C. Smith University, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Old Dominion University, Piedmont Virginia Community College, Saint Augustine's University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Virginia Tech. Each of the eleven institutions offer individually tailored recruitment, retention, and enhancement activities to support students. The VA-NC Alliance's primary goal is to increase significantly the number of underrepresented students earning STEM (Science, Technology, and Engineering, and Mathematics) baccalaureate degrees. The VA-NC Alliance offers activities to support students during their undergraduate experience including: annual symposia; tutoring, bridge programs, workshops and colloquia; faculty exchanges; common reading experiences; and summer research experiences. For more information, see: https://lsamp.virginia.edu/

The School of Engineering and Applied Science's Office of Diversity and Engagement (https://engineering.virginia.edu/about/diversity-and-engagement/center-diversity-engineering) manages the Center for Diversity in Engineering. The Center is a student space dedicated to advocating for underrepresented groups in STEM—racial minorities, female, first-generation and low-income, and LGBTQ+ identifying students. The Center advocates for all students by connecting them with people and resources, but also by working to create a positive culture within the university. These efforts include changing the curriculum to support student achievement; working with organizations like UVA Acts to promote empathy, inclusion, and collaboration; recruiting a diverse student body; building academic preparedness through the Clark Scholars and the Summer Bridge programs; and offering both academic and career advising. The Center is a student space dedicated to evidence-based programming, University-wide collaboration, and a variety of personal and professional resources.

Undergraduate Students: UVA emphasizes student leadership and participation in every area of the university. Students participate in pan-university committees such as Diversity Council and serve on the Board of Visitors. Each of these leadership opportunities provides preparation for students who choose to pursue careers as faculty members. In addition, the VA-NC Alliance (described above) is a program funded by the National Science Foundation to support and prepare underrepresented minority students in STEM fields through transition/bridge programs, research and presentation opportunities, mentoring, tutoring and more. There are a number of summer research programs at UVA focused on supporting and recruiting underrepresented students, including the Student Research Internship Program, the Leadership Alliance, the VA-NC Alliance Summer Research Program, the First Year Research Experience Program and more. The directors and coordinators of these programs collaborate to provide community-building, social, and professional development opportunities to a broader group of summer researchers to prepare them for careers in research and academia. For instance, sessions include panels discussing the graduate school application and funding process, how to give a poster presentation, writing workshops, and more.

Graduate Students: The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs (OGPA) offers an intensive graduate student professional development curriculum known as “PhD Plus” (https://phdplus.virginia.edu/) to support and develop its graduate students. OGPA's Office of Diversity Programs is committed to the identification, retention, mentoring, and graduation of a highly talented and diverse graduate student population and believes that a community of diverse graduate students at the University of Virginia is integral for maintaining its position as a global leader in education, advancing scholarly pursuits and academic quality, and fostering an environment of inclusiveness and support. The Office of Diversity Programs provides support services for graduate students, including: graduate recruitment, academic and personal development, mentorship, community engagement, and outreach. For example, the Mentoring Institute organizes social and professional development activities throughout the school year to foster community among students and faculty mentors, provide opportunities for networking and professional development and acclimate student participants to the rigors of life within and beyond the academy.

In addition, the VA-NC Alliance secured a Bridge to the Doctorate grant to support underrepresented graduate students in STEM fields and offers mentoring, individualized development plans, and professional development opportunities. Similarly, the College of Arts & Sciences established a bridge program for doctoral students (STEM and non-STEM).

Furthermore, UVA secured a $5 million dollar grant from the Mellon Foundation to create a “Race, Place, and Equity” program with funding for 30 postdoctoral fellows and three faculty members. This program is intended to expand teaching about racial equity at UVA and provide opportunities for emerging scholars in the fields of racial justice and equity. The Mellon program will support the 30 postdocs and enhance UVA’s recruitment efforts for tenure-track faculty with an emphasis on recruitment of underrepresented postdocs and faculty.

The University works to assign affirming housing for all students, and there are multiple options available. One option is "open housing:" All students (both first-year and upper-class students) who wish to request roommates regardless of their sex or gender identity are eligible to enroll in “open housing”. For more information regarding open housing options, see: Open Housing Options at UVA.

To learn about additional housing options, please contact visit the Housing and Residence Life Inclusive Housing FAQ (https://housing.virginia.edu/inclusive-faq)or contact housingassignments@virginia.edu.

Source: https://studentaffairs.virginia.edu/subsite/lgbtq/resources/trans-gender-diverse-resources