IUPUI

Equal Opportunity Policy

Memorandum to IUPUI Faculty, Staff, and Students from Chancellor Charles R. Bantz on May 1, 2004

At IUPUI, diversity means three things:

1. diversity is an educational and social asset to be reflected in our learning and work objectives;
2. the persons who comprise our academic community reflect both the current diversity of our service region as well as the evolving demographics of a state and city that aspire to participate fully in a global society; and
3. IUPUI's social and physical environment will enable all of its members to succeed to the fullest extent of their potential.
   (Vision for Diversity at IUPUI, Adopted 2001)

Having diversity in classrooms, research labs, clinical practice settings, and places of work is essential to the fundamental work of the university. If students are to learn, they must be encouraged to ask questions, seek knowledge from those with whom they disagree, and take part in open and honest debate. The ability to learn from and use diverse perspectives is instrumental to constructive problem solving and good citizenship, so it is essential that the campus have an environment that encourages interaction among individuals of diverse backgrounds. Our employees, too, expect and deserve to work in a healthy, supportive atmosphere that respects differences.

To help accomplish this, the Trustees of Indiana University adopted an equal opportunity/affirmative action policy that is based on resolutions dating from 1969 and reaffirmed unanimously in 1995. The trustees stated, "In reaffirming this policy, which has served us well, we must advocate and perpetuate performance which reflects this commitment. We must and will hold ourselves accountable for our decision and action."

Each year, IUPUI reaffirms its commitment to this policy and to observing requirements embodied in federal and state laws, executive orders, guidelines, and regulations designed to promote affirmative action and assure equal opportunity. As part of that reaffirmation, we expect deans, directors, and others who have administrative responsibility and authority to carry out the policies of the trustees and to pursue our shared diversity goals effectively. In addition, individual employees are to display an attitude of collaboration and cooperation by performing their duties in a manner that clearly reflects the principle of equal opportunity in every aspect of university life.

Our policy at IUPUI prohibits discrimination against anyone for reasons of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or status as Vietnam-era or special disabled veterans. We will continue to promote and provide equal opportunity in education and training programs, employment, admissions, and all other activities for faculty, staff, and students. All personnel actions, such as compensation and fringe benefits, transfer, promotion, training for employees, as well as all university-sponsored social and recreational programs, will be administered in accordance with our equal opportunity policies.

I have assigned responsibility for communicating, interpreting, and monitoring this equal opportunity policy to Kim D. Kirkland who directs the office of equal opportunity at IUPUI. This office maintains a comprehensive program which has been accepted by all relevant agencies of the federal government. It is located in the Union Building, 620 Union Drive, Suite 117. For copies of the official university policies, for information on these policies, or for complaint procedures, call (317) 274-2306.