The University of California Office of the President invites comments on a proposed Presidential Policy on Anti-Discrimination. The proposed policy covers discrimination, harassment, and retaliation by and against members of the University community on University property or in connection with University-sponsored activities.
The proposed policy includes the following key provisions:
- Affirms the University of California’s commitment to creating and maintaining a healthy working and learning environment in an inclusive environment free of discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
- Defines harassment and discrimination as well as lists the protected categories protected by federal and state law.
- Prohibits retaliation against an individual who reports Discrimination and/or Harassment, assists someone with a report of Discrimination and/or Harassment, or participates in an investigation or other process under the policy.
- Addresses free speech and academic freedom. The proposed policy is intended to protect members of the University community from Discrimination, Harassment, and/or Retaliation, not to regulate protected speech. The proposed policy recognizes that freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and academic freedom are essential to the mission of the University. However, freedom of speech and academic freedom are not limitless and do not protect speech or expressive conduct that violates federal or state anti-discrimination laws.
- Outlines the possible consequences of noncompliance, which may include remediation, educational efforts, informal counseling, adverse performance evaluations, corrective action/discipline, and termination/dismissal.
The proposed policy is available online.
The UC Santa Cruz Equity & Equal Protection Office is responsible for the administration of UCSC’s policies and procedures regarding discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, religion, disability, sex, gender, age and other protected identities. For more information, see https://equity.ucsc.edu.
Please send comments to the Policy Coordination Office at pco@ucsc.edu by close of business April 24, 2023.
