Office of the President
POLICY STATEMENT
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
Consistent with federal and state laws and regulations, policies of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia policy, and policies of the University of Georgia (“UGA”) (collectively, “applicable laws and policies”), UGA restates its commitment to the concepts of affirmative action and equal opportunity.
UGA is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with applicable laws and policies, UGA prohibits any member of the faculty, staff, administration, student body, or visitors to campus, whether they be guests, patrons, independent contractors, or clients, from harassing and/or discriminating against any other member of UGA community because of that person's race, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, ethnic or national origin, religion, age, disabled status, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era. Incidents of harassment and discrimination will be met with appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal or debarment from UGA.
Every member of the UGA community is expected to uphold this policy as a matter of mutual respect and fundamental fairness in human relations. Every student of UGA has a responsibility to conduct himself or herself in accordance with this policy as a condition of enrollment. Further, every UGA employee has an obligation to observe this and other applicable laws and policies as a term of employment. In addition, one aspect of performance appraisal for UGA personnel at all levels of supervision and administration will include the qualitative evaluation of their leadership in implementing this policy and in seeking resolution of problems in this area at the point nearest their origin.
Merit and productivity, untainted by prohibited bias, will continue to guide all decisions relating to employment and enrollment.
No person will be penalized for good faith utilization of channels available for resolving concerns dealing with prohibited bias. Within any limits imposed by applicable laws and policies, no internal procedure or process for resolution of such concerns will be used for the purpose of abridging or discouraging the access of any member of the UGA community to the courts or to appropriate compliance agencies.
Questions regarding this policy statement should be directed to the UGA Equal Opportunity Office at (706) 542-7912.
Michael F. Adams
President
June 2009