Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policies

The Office for Equity & Inclusion provides leadership, coordination and oversight of the University’s compliance with non-discrimination and equal opportunity requirements in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations such as Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX, Affirmative  action reporting and other state and federal employment laws, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and regulations, the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act (Campus SaVE), Connecticut Public Act 14-11,the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and all other federal and state non-discrimination requirements. 

A brief overview of some of the major pieces of legislation that govern affirmative action and equal opportunity include: 

  • The Equal Pay Act of 1963 was intended to remove pay differentials between males and females performing the same or similar work at the same facility.
  • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act was enacted in 1964 and made it unlawful to discriminate in employment based upon race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This act also established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to implement and enforce the Act.
  • Executive order 11246 as amended by Executive Order 11375 are Presidential Orders directed to government agencies requiring federal contractors to develop affirmative action plans for minorities and women.
  • Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 federally prohibits discrimination in terms and conditions of employment among persons between the ages of 40 and 65.
  • Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972 prohibits discrimination of women in educational programs, etc.
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 states that no otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States, shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from the participation in…a college, university, or other post-secondary institution, or a public system of higher education.
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 he Act emphasizes that the definition of disability should be construed in favor of broad coverage of individuals to the maximum extent permitted by the terms of the ADA and generally shall not require extensive analysis.
  • Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act requires affirmative action for qualified disabled veterans and veterans from the Vietnam era.