Regents' Policies

 

UNM_Policy_Office-L communicates important policy announcements (such as policy approvals, revisions, or campus review-and-comment periods).




UNM Policy Office

MSC05 3357
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131

Physical Location:
Scholes Hall
114 A and B

Phone: (505) 277-2069

Regents' Policy Manual - Section 2.3: Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Anti-Retaliation

Adopted Date: 09-12-1996
Amended: 06-17-2019
Amended: 08-13-2019
Amended: 04-15-2025

1. Applicability

This policy applies to all University students, employees, and applicants.

2. Policy

The University has an enduring commitment to support equality of employment and educational opportunity by supporting our diverse environment and prohibiting unlawful discrimination and harassment. The University respects and celebrates the differences of all persons and understands the importance of a collaborative environment that prioritizes inclusive excellence and a shared sense of belonging. The University forbids unlawful discrimination and harassment based on considerations of race, color, age, ancestry, national origin, gender identity, genetic information, serious medical condition, disability, pregnancy, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal affiliation, or veteran status.

2.1. Equal Employment Opportunity

University policy, state and federal law, and regulations forbid unlawful discrimination based on the considerations mentioned in Section 2 above in recruiting, hiring, training, promoting, and all other terms and conditions of employment. Personnel policies will be administered without regard to those considerations, except when one of these is a bona fide occupational qualification. The University strives to assure equal access to all programs, facilities, and services.

2.2. Equal Educational Opportunity

The University is committed to providing equal educational opportunity and forbids unlawful discrimination on the basis of the considerations mentioned in Section 2 above. Equal educational opportunity includes admission, recruitment, academic activities, student support services, extracurricular activities, facilities, financial assistance, housing, health and insurance services, and athletics.

2.3. Affirmative Action

The University is committed to inclusive excellence. The University believes that our diverse workforce and student body, broadly defined to include varied socioeconomic backgrounds, cultures, language fluency, first generation college students, and those living in rural New Mexico, are absolutely essential to fulfilling the University’s education, research, and public service missions in service to our state. In support of this commitment, the University shall adhere to applicable law with regard to affirmative action requirements.

2.4. Reasonable Accommodation

The University makes reasonable accommodations for religious observances, limited English proficiency, pregnancy and related conditions, as well as known disabilities of students, prospective students, employees, prospective employees, or program users, unless such accommodations fundamentally alter a program, service, or the essential functions of a job, excessively burden faculty, or place an undue hardship on the operation of the University. Employees or program users with disabilities should contact the Office of Compliance, Ethics, and Equal Opportunity, and students with disabilities should contact the Accessibility Resource Center for information regarding accommodations.

2.5. Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination

The University strives to create and maintain an atmosphere free from all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, exploitation, or intimidation in employment and educational settings. The University prohibits harassment of employees and students on the basis of the considerations mentioned in Section 2 above. The University makes special efforts to eliminate both overt and subtle forms of sexual harassment, sexual violence, and misconduct, as those terms are defined in UAP 2740. In fulfilling its dual roles of educating and providing public service, the University can and must demonstrate leadership in educating all members of its community about appropriate behavior.

2.6. Anti-Retaliation

Retaliation against any individual for bringing a complaint alleging non-compliance with this or any other policy or for participating in an investigation or hearing is strictly forbidden.

3. References