Mission
Vision
The Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action envisions the University of Minnesota as a community free from prejudice, discrimination, hatred and ignorance - an intellectually and culturally vibrant place of learning and leadership where all individuals are valued, respected, and unobstructed in their pursuit of excellence in their work and scholarship.
Mission
With this vision in mind, the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action is committed to eliminating individual and systemic barriers that inhibit individuals and groups from attaining equal access to University of Minnesota employment, education, programs, and services. In service to both the University of Minnesota and the broader community, we provide expertise and system-wide leadership for the University in the following areas:
- Advocacy —ensuring that equal opportunity and affirmative action principles are embedded in all relevant University policies and procedures and demonstrated in practice.
- Policy Development and Issue Identification – identifying existing or emerging equal opportunity and affirmative action issues, advising University leadership in the development of responsive policies, and analyzing and recommending action based on relevant research studies and position papers.
- Education — providing University staff, faculty, and students with information and opportunities for increased understanding of discrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action policies and practices.
- Discrimination Consultation and Investigation — advising individuals and departments regarding existing, perceived or potential discrimination and retaliation; resolving discrimination issues through formal and informal processes.
- Community Connections — building mutually meaningful partnerships with diverse groups internal and external to the University concerning equal opportunity, affirmative action, and community economic development initiatives.
- Compliance — developing and disseminating affirmative action plans, and coordinating state and federal reporting and compliance reviews.
Adopted June 1999