Office of Equity & Inclusion
Providing leadership and support in creating an equitable, diverse and inclusive working and learning environment for all in our community. OEI is responsible for managing complaints of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, and protection of minors on campus, as well as on-going social justice education. Incident Self-Report FormIncident 3rd Party Report FormOur EVERFI Training System Has a New Name: Vector LMS, Higher Education Edition
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OEI experienced technical issues with the Title IX Coordinator email address (titleixcoordinator@udel.edu) which caused significant delay in communications delivery and response. We apologize for this inconvenience. The issues were remedied over the Thanksgiving break and we are now working to catch up. We thank you for your patience.
August 2020 Title IX Update: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination and sexual harassment, including sexual violence, in educational programs and activities that receive federal funds. In compliance with the Department of Education’s regulations published on May 19, 2020, the University of Delaware has updated its policies and procedures regarding reports of discrimination, in all forms, to the Office of Equity and Inclusion.
These updates reaffirm the University of Delaware’s commitment to fostering an educational environment free from discrimination. The updates to our policies and procedures not only maintain, but strengthen our ability to respond, investigate, and resolve incidents of discrimination or harassment directed towards our students, faculty, and staff.
In accordance with institutional values and regulatory guidance, the policies and procedures adopted ensure a fair and equitable process for all parties from an initial report, to the end of the appeals process. Theses updates to the University of Delaware’s policies go into effect on Friday, August 14, 2020, for all new reports and will not be retroactively applied to open, ongoing Office of Equity and Inclusion cases.
The University of Delaware encourages any who experiences or observes discrimination or harassment to report the incident to the Office of Equity and Inclusion. To make a report, you can follow this link. To view the updated Non-Discrimination, Sexual Misconduct, and Title IX policy, please click here.
The University of Delaware’s continued commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is more important now than ever as our country continues to struggle with the painful history and present impact of racism. As President Assanis stated in his letter to the community, “The University of Delaware unequivocally condemns violence and the racism that fuels it. These incidents stand in stark contrast to our institutional values of diversity, inclusion and respect for others, which are essential to our academic mission of educating global citizens who are dedicated to building a better world.”
The protests that have erupted across the country, ignited by the murder of #GeorgeFloyd in Minneapolis, yet again brings into focus a history of racism that stretches back 400 years in the United States. There can be no doubt that the fear and anger being felt and expressed by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) folks is justified and in no way new. It is simply being televised. Racism is not a new idea, and the structural racism that this country is built upon is beginning to crumble.
As the Office of Equity & Inclusion, we stand in solidarity with those folks currently making their voices heard. However, thoughts and prayers alone don’t make change, individually or institutionally. Thus, as an office committed to equity and inclusion, we continue our commitment to actively advocate on behalf of BIPOC folks within the UD community and beyond, receive and respond to complaints of racism and all other forms of discrimination and harassment within the UD community, elevate the voices of others, and work to develop white allies in the struggle for racial justice. #BlackLivesMatter
Please review the OEI Remote Resources page for ways to reflect, educate, and engage.
For the latest University of Delaware updates, see UD’s Coronavirus Update website.
During this time of concern, we want to reiterate the University of Delaware values of diversity and inclusion. We are aware that Asian, Pacific-Islander, Desi-American, and other members of our UD community may be targeted during this time based on stereotypes and misconceptions about the Coronavirus. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment based upon your race, national origin or other protected identity, please contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion for assistance at oei@udel.edu. You may also directly submit a report and receive follow-up.
In addition, the Office of the Title IX Coordinator continues to receive, process, and outreach regarding all claims of sexual misconduct. Please review the Title IX/COVID-19 FAQ page for more information on the Title IX process during this time.
The Office of Equity and Inclusion is committed to continuing to promote and support a culture and climate of inclusive excellence during these quickly changing times. We have compiled a list of freely available online diversity and inclusion resources and educational materials which you may find educational as your workflow adjusts. Be on the lookout for frequent updates. Please continue to take care of your health in all regards as we work to meet these challenges together as a Blue Hen family.
Vision Statement
The Office of Equity and Inclusion strives to foster a more educated and accountable community at the University of Delaware.
Mission Statement
The Office of Equity & Inclusion works to ensure that all members of its community, irrespective of their differences, are understood, respected and valued. OEI develops, promotes, and assesses an equitable, diverse and inclusive working and learning environment. To that end, OEI is responsible for:
- Managing complaints of harassment and discrimination under the university Non-Discrimination, Sexual Misconduct, & Title IX Policy;
- Managing and monitoring the protection for minors on campus policies;
- Supporting university diversity initiatives, and the 9 diversity caucuses; and
- Providing on-going education and awareness for the campus community in all of these areas.
“[T]he more radical the person is, the more fully he or she enters into reality so that, knowing it better, he or she can transform it. This individual is not afraid to confront, to listen, to see the world unveiled. This person is not afraid to meet the people or to enter into a dialogue with them. This person does not consider himself or herself the proprietor of history or of all people, or the liberator of the oppressed; but he or she does commit himself or herself, within history, to fight at their side.”
-Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed
“We could learn a lot from crayons; some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, while others bright, some have weird names, but they all have learned to live together in the same box.”
-Robert Fulghum
