Dear members of the campus community:

As chancellor, it is my responsibility to annually reaffirm our campus commitment to equal opportunity, affirmative action, and equal access. The campus is committed to creating and maintaining a community that recognizes and values the inherent worth and dignity of every person, while fostering an environment of mutual respect among its members.

Diversity within the University of Illinois advances the academic purposes of the University, and an affirmative action policy is essential to achieving such diversity. As a part of our affirmative action plan, consistent with state and federal laws, we undertake good faith efforts to increase the representation of women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.

University policies prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, disability, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation including gender identity, arrest record status, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran. These protections extend to all members of the campus community during any stage of the employment process including recruitment, selection, promotion, transfer, merit increases, salary, training and development, demotion, and separation. Similarly, the University prohibits discrimination in admissions, enrollment, and in the provision of all services, programs and activities.

Please contact the Office for Access and Equity, accessandequity@illinois.edu if you have questions about our University policies and for assistance with discrimination, harassment, affirmative action, and disability related matters. The University’s policy, procedures, and protocols are available online at http://cam.illinois.edu/ix/ix-b/ix-b-6.htm.

While Illinois and higher education institutions around the country continue to await further guidance on Title IX and sexual misconduct from the U.S. Department of Education, we want to assure the campus community that State of Illinois law, Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education, remains in effect. In recognition of the continued importance in taking action to eliminate sexual misconduct, Illinois has implemented a requirement that all new students will complete online sexual misconduct training, in addition to the expectation that all students complete the training annually.

We wish to emphasize our promise to continue to provide optimal services, support, resources and guidance to address sexual misconduct in our community and to those who need assistance. Our responsibility to ensure safety to our students, staff and faculty will not change.

We remain vigilant in our response to sexual misconduct, affirming due process, fairness, and dignity. We will be steadfast in our response and treat all matters with urgency while working towards providing survivors with respect and support with the many available campus resources.

Danielle Morrison, our Title IX and Disability Coordinator, oversees and supports the University’s comprehensive programs and activities that ensure compliance with University policies and state and federal laws related to sexual discrimination and misconduct. You can email her at titleixcoordinator@illinois.edu or call (844) 616-7978. Please visit the We Care website (wecare.illinois.edu), to learn more about confidential and non-confidential resources, University policies, disciplinary procedures, rights and options, and additional information related to the prevention, reporting and response to sexual misconduct. Questions regarding Title IX may also be sent to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (http://wecare.illinois.edu/help/report/#external). 

As of October 1, 2018, you will find the Title IX & Disability Office as well as the Office for Access and Equity in their new location at 616 E. Green Street, suite 214, Champaign, IL. 

Realizing our shared vision of an inclusive campus requires that we all annually reaffirm our individual commitment to building a truly diverse, welcoming, and inclusive community of students, scholars and staff. Please join me in affirming your individual commitment to creating and maintaining an inclusive campus community. 

Sincerely,

Robert J. Jones
Chancellor