Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Committee

Charge

The Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Committee shall be a standing University Committee, advisory to the President.  The broad mission of the Committee shall be to counsel and inform the President on institutional policies, objectives, procedures, and actions designed to (1) fulfill the University's commitments with respect to equal opportunity and affirmative action and (2) promote and enhance the educational and professional opportunities available to women, persons with disabilities, and minority students, faculty, and staff at the University of Virginia, and through these activities, (3) contribute to a fair and just University community which benefits everyone.*

The Committee shall advise the President on issues deriving from the University's stated commitment to equal opportunity in education and employment, as well as on the affirmative measures that may be necessary to implement this policy.  The Committee's responsibilities also derive from resolutions made by the Board of Visitors in support of the University's commitment to comply with both the Federal Executive Order 11246, as amended and supplemented in federal law, which requires a written affirmative action plan of all institutions holding federal grants and contracts, and the Commonwealth of Virginia's requirements for affirmative action plans that provide equal opportunity for students, classified employees, and faculty.

In undertaking its broad mission, the Committee shall address the following:

1. Recommend policies, procedures, and priorities that will encourage the development of an educational community that promotes and supports the full contributions of all of its diverse members.
2. Identify institutional practices and policies that might inhibit the ability of women and minority students, faculty, and staff either to contribute or participate as fully as they are able in the educational and professional opportunities at the University and to recommend measures to eliminate such inhibitory practices and policies.
3. Consider and recommend actions that will help fulfill commitments made by the University under The Virginia Plan for Equal Opportunity in State-Supported Institutions of Higher Education, amended 1983, and other state and federal requirements relating to equal opportunity and affirmative action.
4. Review and comment on reports of the equal opportunity/affirmative action officer pertaining to the University's progress in meeting its equal opportunity and affirmative action objectives as set forth in the University's Affirmative Action Plan.
5. Recommend and advocate policies, procedures, and priorities that will enhance the University's ability to undertake active, affirmative measures designed to encourage greater diversity in its student, faculty, and staff populations.

The Committee shall meet with the President at the beginning of each semester to identify issues of common concern and to establish a working agenda for the current semester.

The Committee shall prepare regular progress reports as warranted and an annual report summarizing the Committee's activities and giving recommendations for University action.

Committee Structure:

The Committee shall be comprised of:

• 14 at-large faculty/staff members
• Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
• Dean of African-American Affairs or designee
• Employee Relations Representative, Medical Center
• Administrator of Human Resources, Health System
• Executive Vice President and Provost or designee
• Director of Equal Opportunity Programs (ex-officio)
• Vice President and Chief Officer for Diversity and Equity (ex-officio)
• Representative from the Office of the President (ex-officio)
• Four at-large student members
  

*Minority individuals include those defined under U.S. Department of Labor/EEOC guidelines (i.e., American Indian, Alaskan Native, Asian, Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic).  The University of Virginia's Non-Discrimination Policy states that "The University does not discriminate in any of its programs, procedures, or practices against any person on the basis of age, citizenship, color, handicap, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era."