Students think discrimination at UA is minimal
Taniah Tudor
Issue date: 11/5/08 Section: News
Discrimination might be an issue on every college campus, but the UA is taking steps to confront it.
"The university should be a place of work and study for students, faculty and staff, which is free of all forms of discrimination, sexual intimidation and exploitation," according to the UA nondiscrimination policy. The policy also states that the UA prohibits and makes every effort to eliminate discrimination within the university community.
It is the job of the Office of Affirmative Action to monitor the UA and make sure it and its faculty is in compliance with the rules and regulations that go along with these policies, said Willyerd Collier, director for the office.
Discrimination complaints have to be made at the Office of Affirmative Action, Collier said, and an e-mail is sent out every year to make sure everyone on campus is aware of the policy and how to report incidents.
The office did not keep a running tally of incidents reported in the past, but "that is one of the things we are going to change and do in the future," Collier said.
When an incident is reported, the office conducts an investigation, said Jennifer Tucker, who replaced the previous compliance officer about three weeks ago. There are no set regulations regarding whether the allegations pertain to students or faculty, nor in terms of punishment, she said. Each decision depends on the individual case and the allegations.
Over the last two or three years, Collier thinks department heads have become more concerned about doing something, and they have made more requests for training and information, he said.
"I think many people are beginning to take this seriously," Collier said.
There has been more activity regarding disability accommodations in recent years,- than any regarding race or sex, Collier said.
However, some students do not think discrimination on campus is an issue.
"I think this university lends itself to a liberal setting, so it's not as prevalent as it would be outside in the 'real world,'" said Meghan Lee, a sophomore biochemistry major. "Even outside the campus I have seen racism that I don't think I would ever see on the campus."
"The university should be a place of work and study for students, faculty and staff, which is free of all forms of discrimination, sexual intimidation and exploitation," according to the UA nondiscrimination policy. The policy also states that the UA prohibits and makes every effort to eliminate discrimination within the university community.
It is the job of the Office of Affirmative Action to monitor the UA and make sure it and its faculty is in compliance with the rules and regulations that go along with these policies, said Willyerd Collier, director for the office.
Discrimination complaints have to be made at the Office of Affirmative Action, Collier said, and an e-mail is sent out every year to make sure everyone on campus is aware of the policy and how to report incidents.
The office did not keep a running tally of incidents reported in the past, but "that is one of the things we are going to change and do in the future," Collier said.
When an incident is reported, the office conducts an investigation, said Jennifer Tucker, who replaced the previous compliance officer about three weeks ago. There are no set regulations regarding whether the allegations pertain to students or faculty, nor in terms of punishment, she said. Each decision depends on the individual case and the allegations.
Over the last two or three years, Collier thinks department heads have become more concerned about doing something, and they have made more requests for training and information, he said.
"I think many people are beginning to take this seriously," Collier said.
There has been more activity regarding disability accommodations in recent years,- than any regarding race or sex, Collier said.
However, some students do not think discrimination on campus is an issue.
"I think this university lends itself to a liberal setting, so it's not as prevalent as it would be outside in the 'real world,'" said Meghan Lee, a sophomore biochemistry major. "Even outside the campus I have seen racism that I don't think I would ever see on the campus."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
tony
posted 11/05/08 @ 12:45 AM CST
how true, this issue, in no longer, just black and white.
age, sex, country of origin, or even how many holes you have in your face, can play a part in how you're treated as a person. (Continued…)
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