Office of Equity and Diversity
The Office of Equity and Diversity serves the campus in two primary roles. First, OED provides leadership, resources, and services of the University community, and acts as a support for the enhancement of diversity programs campus-wide. Second, OED fulfills an important compliance function by working with various legal mandates set out by state and federal law, and University policies as they relate to civil rights, equal employment and affirmative action.
The Office of Equity and Diversity:
- Works with Knoxville area units of the University of Tennessee, including the main Knoxville campus, the University-Wide Administration, the University Athletics Departments, the Institute for Public Service, and the Institute for Agriculture.
- Provides workshops and training opportunities for faculty, staff, and students around issues of diversity in teaching and learning.
- Serves as a member of various campus groups including the Commission for Women, Commission for Blacks, Commission for LGBT People, Disability Roundtable, Disability Monitors, Exempt Staff Council, and other ad-hoc committees dealing with employment and student issues.
- Monitors and provides training and direction on all searches for faculty, administrative and staff exempt positions in all Knoxville area units. Provides recruiting resources for such searches.
- Maintains and updates University search procedures, records, and forms.
- Meets with individuals to discuss concerns relating to discrimination. Investigates discrimination complaints. Discriminatory bases include race, sex (including sexual harassment), color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.
- Prepares annual compliance reports including the University’s Title VI, Title IX and Affirmative Action plans.
- Serves as ADA Coordinator and works with faculty and staff requests for accommodation.