It is the mission of the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) to uphold the University’s commitment to the creation of an inclusive campus climate, affirmative action, and equal opportunity within the conditions, terms and privileges of employment and education. EDI seeks to advance diversity and inclusion by raising awareness, increasing access, removing barriers, and empowering all to maximize their full potential.  This mission can be accomplished by:

- Providing guidance, leadership, and coordination of strategic initiatives in the University’s goal to promote diversity and a climate welcoming of a diverse faculty, staff, student body and the University community;

- Effectively overseeing policies governing discrimination, harassment, reasonable accommodation and recruitment;

- Ensuring that issues of harassment, discrimination and accommodation are addressed in a timely and effective manner that does not tolerate retaliation; and

- Assisting the University in its commitment to foster and sustain a great place to work and learn.

Revised May 5, 2011

The Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is responsible for ensuring that the University is in compliance with statutory and regulatory non-discrimination laws and executive orders, and for educating the University community in regard to Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity regulations.

The Director and Staff are responsible for the following:

- Compliance
- Resolution of Allegations of Discrimination
- Policy Development
- Training and Education
- Diversity Initiatives and Program Development

Compliance
The office’s primary responsibility is to ensure that the University is in compliance with State and Federal non-discrimination Laws and Executive Orders. The Director is the University’s official liaison to the various government monitoring and enforcement agencies, the State Attorney General's Office and to SUNY Counsel. The Director and Staff are responsible for preparing the various mandatory State and Federal reports.

Resolution of Allegations of Discrimination
The Office of EDI receives, reviews and investigates allegations of discrimination based on:  race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, gender, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, veteran status, military status, domestic violence victim status, or ex-offender status. The community we serve includes: faculty, staff, students, visitors, vendors and contractors of the University at Buffalo, the Research Foundation, and UB-affiliated organizations.

Policy Development
The office is responsible for monitoring UB’s policies and practices to assure compliance with federal and state nondiscrimination laws. The staff reviews and analyzes changes in current state and federal regulations, statutes, case law and legal notices and when necessary works with various committees and SUNY Counsel to revise present policies and/or develop new policies as required.

Training and Education
The office provides assistance to Search Committees, Deans and Chairs on matters of recruitment, retention, and promotion. The staff conducts training and educational modules on the prevention of discrimination, harassment and sexual harassment; presents seminars and workshops on cultural differences, diversity, and understanding the AA laws and the AA debate. We have an extensive lending library of films on EO/AA topics.

Diversity Initiatives and Program Development
Individually and in collaboration with other divisions and units the office develops and implements programs and activities that support and promote a positive campus environment; support and promote the recruitment, retention and promotion of eligible women and protected class members; and support and promote educational equity and academic excellence.

Conflict Resolution
The office coordinates the University’s Conflict Resolution/Mediation Pilot Program, an initiative to allow for the voluntary mediation of workplace disputes and issues. This program is confidential, free, impartial, issue focused and facilitative, and provides for complex problem solving and win-win opportunities. The program was established through a collaborative initiative among several campus units and stakeholders, including the Employee Relations office, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), campus unions and the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).

Pursuant to University policy, the University at Buffalo is committed to ensuring equal employment, educational opportunity, and equal access to services, programs, and activities without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, gender, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, veteran status, military status, domestic violence victim status, or ex-offender status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the University community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely based upon a protected characteristic.

The University’s policy is in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination and harassment.  These laws include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as Amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, and the New York State Human Rights Law. These laws prohibit discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual violence.

Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and other laws, regulations and policies prohibiting discrimination may be directed to Sharon Nolan-Weiss, Director of the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Title IX/ ADA Coordinator, 406 Capen Hall, Buffalo, New York 14260; Tel. (716) 645-2266; email aa-diversity@buffalo.edu.  Inquiries may also be directed to the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, 32 Old Slip 26th Floor, New York, NY 10005-2500; Tel. (646) 428-3800; Email OCR.NewYork@ed.gov.