University of Miami
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Administrative/Professional
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION A005 07/23/2013
PURPOSE
To provide guidelines and procedures regarding non-discrimination, anti-harassment and equal opportunity in employment and educational programs and activities at the University.
POLICY
The University of Miami is committed to the principle of fairness and respect for all and seeks to prohibit discrimination and promote affirmative action in its educational and employment policies and practices. These policies are implemented in compliance with applicable federal, state and local non-discrimination and affirmative action laws and
regulations.
The University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and is a federal contractor that subscribes to the regulations of Executive Order 11246 (as amended), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Civil Rights Act of 1991, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), Title VI-1964, Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, Equal Pay Act of 1963, and other EEO regulations, including the Sexual Harassment Guidelines.
It is the policy of the University of Miami that no person within the jurisdiction thereof shall, on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination or harassment (including all forms of sexual harassment and sexual violence) under any program or activity of the
University, regardless of whether such program or activity occurs on-campus or off-campus.
The University does not intend by this commitment to require compliance with this policy by governmental or external organizations that associate with but are not controlled by the University, or to extend insurance or similar benefits beyond those now provided by other policies of the University, except as required by law.
The Equality Administration Office responsibilities include, but are not limited to, coordinating into an effective, organized process, the University's commitment to equal opportunity through applicable federal laws and regulations; developing the affirmative action plan; monitoring those policies and practices affecting employment which are covered by government guidelines; and reviewing all complaints alleging discrimination. The denial of equal access to any program or activity or the unlawful consideration of any applicant, student or employee on the basis of race, color, sex, age, disability, veteran status, religion, national origin or sexual orientation, for any employment or academic opportunity, term or conditions of employment/education, may constitute a violation of the University's policy and will be subject to appropriate review by the Equality Administration Office.
Any employee who has a question or complaint under these policies is encouraged to discuss the matter with their immediate supervisor.

Administrative/Professional
Additionally, the Equality Administration Office may be contacted at the following respective address and telephone number:
Equality Administration
Gables One Tower, Suite 100R
Coral Gables Campus
1320 South Dixie Highway
Coral Gables, Florida 33146-2903
Phone: (305) 284-3064
An individual who has been unable to resolve a problem through the established University procedures, or who otherwise chooses to do so, may contact a government compliance agency. The primary federal or county offices which may be contacted are the following:
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Miami, Florida
OR
Office for Civil Rights, Atlanta, Georgia
OR
Miami-Dade County Equal Opportunity Board
OR
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Miami, Florida
OR
Florida Human Rights Commission, Tallahassee, Florida
For addresses and telephone numbers of the above listed agencies contact the Equality Administration Office. All
communications or requests for information from governmental agencies relating to affirmative action issues must be
referred to the Equality Administration Office.

The aforementioned regulations and policies prohibit retaliation against a person who complains about discrimination in the academic/work environment, files a charge of discrimination, or participates in a discrimination/harassment investigation. Employees, students, applicants and clients of the University have the right to file a grievance when they have reasons to believe a violation of these policies may have occurred. Grievances should be directed to the Workplace Equity and Performance Office.

The Office of Workplace Equity & Performance is responsible for coordinating the University’s effort to implement the nondiscrimination policy and Affirmative Action Programs for employees and students. The Office may be contacted at the following address or telephone number: Equality Administration Office, 1320 South Dixie Highway, Gables One Tower, Suite 100R, Coral Gables, FL 33146; Phone: (305) 284-3064.

Efforts have resulted in more effective recruitment strategies making our applicant pool to medical school more diverse. New programs to improve diversity in admissions, new hires and replacements were established and funded - including Diversity training in Unconscious Bias, for admissions, hiring and search committees. Funded programs for Inclusion include establishing a Deans Diversity Council (with school wide representation from student, staff, and faculty) and LGBTQ Ally training. Other efforts include finalizing a diversity statement for the school of medicine, and developing an Out list for LGBTQ students, residents and faculty.

A multicultural recruitment group, the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA), in the office of admission develops and implements strategies related to recruitment travel, website and publications messaging, admission decisions that take into account a holistic review, targeted work with community based organizations, targeted work with Miami schools, a special program for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students, early intervention and college readiness programs on and off campus, a diversity scholarship program for our Summer Scholars Program, travel assistance for needy students to visit campus, and bilingual outreach for family members.

The University of Miami hosted a Veterans Career Fair on November 10, 2015, to recruit qualified, U.S. military veterans to join the Miami Hurricanes family in the areas of medicine (nursing and paramedics), information technology, security, facilities, and administrative services. On-site interviews were conducted during the career fair.

The Dean’s Diversity and Inclusion Council:
An administrative council established to decentralize work on climate, and promote a sense of belonging throughout the institution. The council is made up of representatives from student, faculty , resident and staff departments and centers at the school of medicine, and meets monthly. The goal is to train, educate and empower diversity champions to promote diversity and inclusion issues at the unit level, improve messaging, and process deficiencies in hiring, retention, and promotion and advancement for the medical science workforce.

The mission of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) is to provide leadership and advocacy for underrepresented and ethnically diverse students at the University of Miami. The office provides direction in developing programs and services that enhance the retention and successful matriculation of students, while supporting their personal and academic development. In addition, MSA supports the university in its ongoing efforts to maintain a multicultural campus community, which supports, values, and celebrates its diversity.

The Office of the Ombudsperson is a resource for Faculty, Medical Students, Graduate Students, and Post-doctoral Fellows to assist in resolution of problems and conflicts. The Ombudsperson, Norman H. Altman, V.M.D., serves as an independent, neutral and confidential resource.

UM started Employee Interest Groups (EIG’s) which were established to provide a stronger sense of inclusion within the university. Employee interest groups connect team members who share common ethnicity, gender, nationality, lifestyle or sexual orientation. They provide personal and professional development through mentoring, volunteering, and community involvement. The LGBTQ is among the most active EIG's on campus. They have partnered with the student LGBTQ community as well to host community events on and off campus. The University of Miami created a LGBTQ Student Center to implement recommendations from the LGBTQ Task Force. Since 2013, the LGBTQ Task Force has made significant changes throughout the University, including last year’s designation of gender-neutral restrooms and a forthcoming gender-inclusive housing option.