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600.010 Equal Employment/Educational Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Policy - for matters involving conduct alleged to have occurred prior to August 14, 2020

Bd. Min. 2-19-71; Reaffirmed Bd. Min. 10-14-77; Amended Bd. Min. 5-23-80; Amended Bd. Min. 10-15-82; Amended Bd. Min. 10-16-03; Amended Bd. Min. 6-19-14; Revised 9-22-14 by Executive Order 41. Revised 2-5-15; Amended 2-9-17 with an effective date of 3-1-17.

  1. Equal Employment/Educational Opportunity Policy and Statement of Nondiscrimination. The Curators of the University of Missouri does hereby reaffirm and state the policy of the University of Missouri on Equal Employment/Educational Opportunity and Nondiscrimination.

    1. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces or the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America.
    2. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all students and applicants for admission without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces of the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America.


    The University of Missouri does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, and any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. The University’s Nondiscrimination policies apply to any phase of its employment process, any phase of its admission or financial aid programs, other aspects of its educational programs or activities, and instances occurring in other settings, including off-campus, if there are effects of the conduct that interfere with or limit any person’s ability to participate in or benefit from the University’s educational programs, activities or employment. Notices of Nondiscrimination are posted online and in physical locations for the UM System and each of the campuses.

    The President of the University shall establish affirmative action procedures to implement this policy.

  2. Definition of Discrimination and Harassment. For purposes of determining whether a particular course of conduct constitutes prohibited discrimination or harassment under this policy, the following definitions will be used:
    1. Conduct that constitutes sex discrimination (including discrimination on the basis of sex, pregnancy, gender identity, and gender expression), sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking on the basis of sex, dating/intimate partner violence or sexual exploitation is defined in Section 600.020 – Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct in Employment/Education Policy.
    2. Conduct that is based upon an individual’s race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law that:
      1. Adversely affects a term or condition of employment, education, living environment or participation in a University activity; or
      2. Creates a hostile environment by being sufficiently severe or pervasive and objectively offensive that it interferes with, limits, or denies the ability to participate in or benefit from the University’s educational programs, activities, or employment.
  3. Equity Officers. Duties and responsibilities of the University’s Equity Officers include monitoring and oversight of overall implementation and compliance with the University’s Equal Employment/Educational Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Policy, including coordination of training, education, communications and coordination with the equity resolution processes for faculty, staff, students and other members of the University community and investigation of complaints of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

    Any person having inquiries concerning this policy should contact their respective UM System or campus Equity Officer. The following individuals serve as Equity Officers and are designated to handle inquiries regarding the Anti-Discrimination policies and to serve as the coordinators for purposes of compliance with those policies:

    University of Missouri System and University of Missouri-Columbia
    Andy Hayes, J.D.
    Equity Officer
    Address:
    University of Missouri
    320 Jesse Hall
    Columbia, MO 65211
    Telephone: (573) 882-2824
    Email: hayesas@missouri.edu
    equity.missouri.edu

    University of Missouri-Kansas City
    KC Atchinson, J.D.
    Equity Officer
    Address:
    Administrative Center
    5115 Oak Street, Room 212D
    Kansas City, MO 64112
    Telephone: 816-235-6705
    Emailatchinsonk@umkc.edu
    www.umkc.edu/titleix

    Missouri University of Science and Technology
    Paul Hirtz, Ph.D.
    Equity Officer
    Address:
    Technology Development Center
    900 Innovation Drive, Suite 500
    Rolla, MO 65409-1040
    Telephone: 573-341-4655
    Email: hirtz@mst.edu
    titleix.mst.edu

    University of Missouri-St. Louis
    Jessica Swederske
    Equity Officer
    Address:
    One University Boulevard
    153 JC Penney North
    St. Louis, MO 63121
    Telephone: 314-516-5748
    Email: swederskej@umsl.edu
    www.umsl.edu/title-ix

    University of Missouri Health System
    Julia Ware, M.D., J.D., CPHRM, CPPS
    Equity Officer
    Address: 
    One Hospital Drive
    Columbia, MO 65212
    Telephone: 573-882-8187
    Emailwareja@health.missouri.edu

    NOTE: All references to “Equity Officer” throughout this policy refer to the Equity Officer or the Equity Officer’s designee.

    If the Complaint involves the University’s Equity Officer, Complaints may be made to the System Equity Officer. If the Complaint involves the System Equity Officer, reports may be made to the System President. The contact information for the System President is:

    Office of the President
    105 Jesse Hall
    Columbia, MO 65211
    Telephone: 573-882-2011
    Email: president@umsystem.edu

    NOTE: The above-listed contact information for Equity Officers may be updated as needed and without requiring the approval of the Board of Curators.
  4. Equity Resolution Processes. The University is committed to preventing and eliminating impermissible discrimination and harassment in its educational programs, activities and employment. To that end, the University maintains policies regarding reporting, investigation, and resolution of complaints of discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct. Specifically, please see:
    1. Section 600.030 – Equity Resolution Process for Resolving Complaints of Discrimination, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Against a Student or Student Organization
    2. Section 600.040 – Equity Resolution Process for Resolving Complaints of Discrimination, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Against a Faculty Member
    3. Section 600.050 – Equity Resolution Process for Resolving Complaints of Discrimination, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Against a Staff Member
    4. Section 600.060 - Equity Resolution Process for Resolving Complaints of Discrimination and Harassment Against the University of Missouri
  5. Retaliation. Retaliation is any adverse action taken against a person because of that person’s participation in protected activity. The University strictly prohibits retaliation against any person for making any good faith report of discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct, or for filing, testifying, assisting, or participating in any investigation or proceeding involving allegations of discrimination, harassment or sexual misconduct. Any person who engages in such retaliation shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion or termination, in accordance with applicable procedures. Any person who believes they have been subjected to retaliation is encouraged to promptly notify the Equity Officer or Title IX Coordinator. The University will promptly investigate all claims of retaliation.
  6. False Reporting. False reporting is making an intentional false report or accusation in relation to this policy as opposed to a report or accusation, which, even if erroneous, is made in good faith. False reporting is a serious offense subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including expulsion or termination.
  7. Witness Intimidation or Harassment. No individual participating in an investigation relating to a report or Complaint that a violation of this policy has occurred should, directly or through others, take any action which may interfere with the investigation. The University prohibits attempts to or actual intimidation or harassment of any potential witness. Failure to adhere to these requirements may lead to disciplinary action ranging up to and including expulsion or termination.
  8. U.S. Department of Education – Office for Civil Rights. Inquiries concerning discrimination in educational opportunities also may be referred to the United States Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. For further information on notice of nondiscrimination and for the address and phone number of the U.S. Department of Education office which serves your area call 1-800-421-3481.

    The State of Missouri regional Office for Civil Rights is located in Kansas City and is available to provide assistance.

    Office for Civil Rights
    U.S. Department of Education
    One Petticoat Lane
    1010 Walnut, 3rd Floor, Suite 320
    Kansas City, MO 64106
    Telephone: (816) 268-0550
    FAX: (816) 268-0599
    TDD: (800) 877-8339
    Email: OCR.KansasCity@ed.gov

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