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About Us

Mission Statement

The Office of Equity and Diversity Services (OEDS) is a regulatory, compliance, and proactive campus entity that supports the university's mission and provides leadership toward the goal of excellence through diversity. This mission drives our commitment to the continuing development of a diverse student body, faculty and staff who learn and work in an environment free from discrimination and harassment and one in which civility and respect for individual experiences is valued and practiced.

"As a higher educationsl institution in receipt of federal financial assistance, the University OEDS is mandated by the applicable federal and state statutes, i.e., (Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amemded; Title IX of the Education Amendements of 1972; the American's with Disablities Act of 1990, Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967) to insure the prevention and elimination of any discriminatory practices of its program and activites."

The OEDS monitors the university's continuing commitment to affirmative action and equal opportunity both in its employment and educational practices, and provides university leadership with both qualitative and quantitative data to assure the continuance of these practices. The Office of Equity and Diversity Services ensures that members of the campus community understand their rights and responsibilities to learn and work in an environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, veterans status, disability, sexual orientation, and age through education, training and the resolution of complaints. In addition, the OEDS works collaboratively with other campus entities and the surrounding community to create, design and disseminate programs that bring diverse people together for the purpose of learning about and from one another and to share experiences and ideas.