Policy on Nondiscrimination

The University is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, equal employment opportunity, and affirmative action in its educational programs, activities, and employment practices.

The University is dedicated to providing educational, working and living environments that value the diverse backgrounds of all people.  The University does not unlawfully discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its educational programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital or parental status, or veteran status.

The University prohibits unlawful discrimination or discriminatory harassment on all of those bases. Such behaviors violate the University's Non-Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy, will not be tolerated, and may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion. It is also the policy of the University to provide each student, employee, and other persons having dealings with the institution an environment free from unlawful sexual violence and all forms of misconduct on the basis of gender. The University prohibits rape, statutory rape, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, incest, sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and retaliation. These behaviors violate the University’s Sexual Violence Policy, will not be tolerated, and may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion.

The University Non-Discrimination, Discriminatory Harassment, and Retaliation Policy and Sexual Violence Policy applies in all University programs and activities, including, but not limited to athletics, instruction, grading, housing, and employment. They apply to all members of the campus communities, including, but not limited to students, faculty, librarians, staff, visitors, contractors, and applicants for employment or admission. They also apply to off-campus conduct that negatively affects a community member’s experience in the University environment.

The University has appointed an Equal Opportunity Officer (“EO Officer”) to oversee its compliance with this plan as well as the state and federal non-discrimination and equal opportunity laws.  Anyone with questions, concerns or complaints regarding discrimination, discriminatory harassment, or retaliation may contact the EO Officer.  Any person with questions or concerns about any form of sexual violence, sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and/or retaliation may also contact:

Discrimination: Maria Isabel Gariepy, Executive Director of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity (EO Officer): 508-929-8784

Student Accessibility: Fran Manocchio, Director of Student Accessibility Services: 508-929-8733

Title IX / Sexual Violence: Jennifer Quinn, Director of Title IX: 508-929-8243


The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, 33 Arch Street 9th Floor, Boston, MA 02119-1424; (617) 289-0111, Fax (617) 289-0150, TDD (877) 521-2172; OCR.Boston@ed.gov
or the university’s Title IX coordinator. The Title IX coordinator at each university is responsible for the university’s compliance with Title IX and the administration of the university's sexual violence policy.