Help Prevent Discrimination, Sexual Harassment & Sexual Assault

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Help prevent discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault at the U of A by reporting concerns and violations. 

The university is dedicated to providing equal opportunity as well as a safe, secure and inclusive education and employment environment, in compliance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and other federal, state and local laws. The university is committed to providing equal opportunity for all students and applicants for admission and for all employees and applicants for employment regardless of race, age, gender, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, marital or parental status, disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law.

Also, the university prohibits discrimination (including discriminatory harassment) against any student, applicant for admission, employee, applicant for employment, affiliate, subcontractor, on-site contractual staff, agency employee, third party or community member, visitors to campus and others participating in campus programs or receiving campus services. 

Reporting a Discrimination Concern or Incident:

Report alleged incidents or complaints of discrimination or discriminatory harassment by visiting http://report.uark.edu/ or visiting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance website: https://oeoc.uark.edu/reporting/index.php.  

Also, those aware of potential violations may contact the EO investigator:

Chinwendu Okoronkwo Burns 
Assistant Director/Grievance Officer
Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance
346 N. West Avenue
4 West Avenue Annex (WAAX)
1 University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
Phone: 479-575-6876
Fax:     479-575-7637
E-mail: coburns@uark.edu

Or the compliance officer:

Danielle L. Williams, Ed. D., Sr. CAAP, SHRM-CP
Associate Vice Chancellor & Executive Director
Office of Equal Opportunity, Compliance & Title IX
346 N. West Avenue
4 West Avenue Annex 
1 University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
Phone: 479-575-4825
Fax:     479-575-7637
E-mail: titlevii@uark.edu

Managers, supervisors and administrators are required to report potential instances of discrimination or discriminatory harassment in accordance with Fayetteville Policy and Procedure 214.1 (Discrimination, Including Discriminatory Harassment – Employment, Education, Programs and Services). All employees are highly encouraged to report incidents as well. 

Reporting a Title IX Concern or Incident:

Pursuant to Title IX and state laws, the university prohibits sexual harassment, which includes sexual assault and sexual violence. Any student, non-employee or campus visitor/guest who has witnessed or received information about sexual harassment (including sexual assault) is strongly encouraged to report it to the Title IX coordinator. They may also contact the U of A Police Department, 479-575-2222 (non-emergency) or 911 (emergency).   

All U of A employees must, within 24 hours of receiving information regarding potential instances of sexual harassment (including sexual assault), report information to the Title IX coordinator, unless specifically exempt under university policy. Reports may be submitted to the Title IX coordinator or by visiting http://report.uark.edu. 

Title IX staff 
Shanita L. Pettaway, J.D., Ph.D.
Director of Title IX Compliance and Title IX Coordinator
427B Administration Building
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
Phone: 479-575-7111
Email: pettaway@uark.edu
Alternate e-mail for Title IX: titleix@uark.edu 

Shannon McFarlin
Title IX Deputy Coordinator/Investigator
427B Administration Building
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
Phone: 479-575-3217
Email: sm124@uark.edu
Alternate e-mail for Title IX: titleix@uark.edu

Any concern pertaining to student conduct, sexual misconduct or other potential threats to campus safety may be reported at following website: http://report.uark.edu/. 

The United States Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (“OCR”) is responsible for enforcing Title IX, as well as other federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities that receive federal financial aid. Inquiries and complaints may also be directed to OCR at 1-800-421-3481 or ocr@ed.gov.

University Policies
The university policies regarding nondiscrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault can be found at the following sites:

1. Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance: (http://oeoc.uark.edu) 
2. Title IX Office: (http://titleix.uark.edu)
3. Fayetteville Policies and Procedures: (https://vcfa.uark.edu/fayetteville-policies-procedures/oeoc/2141.php)
4. Student Handbook, Appendix C (http://handbook.uark.edu/code-of-student-life/appendices/appendix-c.php)
5. Faculty Handbook, Section V (http://provost.uark.edu/faculty-handbook/index.php)
6. Staff Handbook, Section 3.5 (http://hr.uark.edu/currentemployees/153.aspx)

This message serves as the annual notice to inform the campus community about the prevention of discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault. Employees and student workers will receive a notice in Workday as well.