Introduction

The University of Massachusetts Lowell (“UMass Lowell” or “University”) has carefully developed the major elements of this plan and case processing manual (the “Plan”) with the understanding that a successful plan requires more than knowledge of laws, regulations, and current government requirements. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Outreach (“EOO”) is charged with enacting and enforcing this plan and corresponding guidelines.

Responsibility for Implementation

The final authority and ultimate responsibility for implementing this Plan and Process rests with the Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Lowell. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Outreach (EOO) at UMass Lowell has been delegated with authority and responsibility for the overall development, administration, and monitoring of all policies, procedures, and programs pertinent to the implementation of this plan. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Outreach reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources, who in turn reports to the Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration, and in turn the Chancellor.

The Director of Equal Opportunity/Compliance serves as the UMass Lowell Title IX Coordinator, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) / 504 Coordinator, Equal Opportunity Officer, and Affirmative Action Officer. The Director delegates authority to various Employees and Offices across the University to assist in carrying out this Plan and monitoring compliance.

Purposes

The University of Massachusetts has established a policy of non-discrimination and harassment that governs all five campuses of the system. A primary purpose of this Plan is to inform the campuses of:

  1. the universities’ prohibition of all forms of discrimination, discriminatory harassment, sexual violence, sexual and gender based harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and retaliation;
  2. the universities’ efforts to prevent such behavior; and
  3. the manner in which the universities will respond to such behaviors, including the prompt, impartial, fair, and thorough investigation and resolution of complaints.

Policy Awareness Procedures

Policy and Guidelines regarding Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination, including this Plan will be published on the website and hard copies made available upon request. Substantive changes will be communicated to the community via Email and/or other methods of dissemination.

We also encourage you to take some time to familiarize yourselves with the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees policy statements, including the Non-Discrimination and Harassment Policy, and UMass Lowell’s Equal Opportunity guidelines and procedures, which are available on the EOO website.

UMass Lowell is subject to the provisions of Title IX, and the regulations promulgated thereunder (34 C.F.R. Part 106), which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

UMass Lowell also requires all new employees to participate in training on Title IX including the prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace within forty-five (45) days of hire as required by Massachusetts General Laws, and requires new and transfer students to participate in training as required by Title IX and the Clery Act.

If you have any questions about the university’s Equal Opportunity guidelines and procedures or about the Title IX training, please contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Outreach by phone at: 978-934-3565 or email: Equal_Opportunity@uml.edu.