Affirmative Action and Non-Discrimination Policies

SEXUAL AND DISCRIMINATORY HARASSMENT (updated 7/1/06)

The University of Georgia (“the University”) is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents’ policy, and University policy, the University 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 the University 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 from the University.

NON-DISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY (updated 7/1/06)

Consistent with federal and state law and University policy, the University of Georgia restates its commitment to the concepts of affirmative action and equal opportunity.
Neither employment nor study, nor institutional services, programs, and activities should be hindered by such prohibited bias factors as race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or disability. Prohibited bias factors will not be permitted to have an adverse influence upon decisions regarding students, employees, applicants for admission, applicants for employment, contractors, or participants in and/or users of institutional programs, services, and activities. The University of Georgia will continue in its efforts to maintain an institutional environment free of such bias and restates its policy prohibiting the interference of such bias factors in institutional processes.
Every member of this university community is expected to uphold this policy as a matter of mutual respect and fundamental fairness in human relations. Every student of this institution has a responsibility to conduct himself/herself in accordance with this policy as a condition of enrollment. Further, every University employee has an obligation to observe UGA policies in implementation of federal and state law as a term of employment. In addition, one aspect of performance appraisal for University personnel at all levels of supervision and administration will include the qualitative evaluation of their leadership in implementing this non-discrimination policy and in seeking resolution of problems in this area at the point nearest their origin.
Merit and productivity, free from prohibited bias, will continue to guide 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 concurrent jurisdiction of the University System of Georgia Board of Regents and other agencies of the state of Georgia, no internal procedure or process for resolution of such concerns will be used for the purpose of abridging the access of any member of this institutional community to the courts or to compliance agencies.
For more information about these policies, go to www.uga.edu/legal/.