The Office of Institutional Equity

Mission Statement

The Office of Institutional Equity is committed to:

Serving the university in fulfilling the intent and spirit of equal opportunity laws by providing equitable resolutions to complaints and striving for an environment free of discrimination.

What is the Office of Institutional Equity?

The Office of Institutional Equity supports the establishment and maintenance of a nondiscriminatory work environment. This includes, but is not limited to all policies, practices and conditions of employment. Hires, promotions, transfers and terminations are made without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion or disability, citizenship status, Vietnam Era or special disabled veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

The university's policies prohibit discrimination against any individual on any basis prohibited by applicable law including race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, citizenship status, Vietnam era or special disabled veteran status in recruitment, employment, promotion, compensation, benefits, or training. It is also the university's policy to maintain a work environment free from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The University of Texas at Austin remains committed to seeking the best-qualified person to fill each available position and will reward each employee based on his or her job performance. In addition, The University will insure that all personnel actions will be administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, citizenship status, Vietnam era or special disabled veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

What is Affirmative Action?

Affirmative Action is the obligation of federal contract employers to achieve and maintain a workforce that is representative of those in the recruiting area with requisite skills. In order to achieve a representative workforce, employment goals and good-faith hiring targets are established for every job category.

Why is UT an Affirmative Action employer?

As a federal contractor, UT is required to develop an Affirmative Action Plan. The Executive Order 11246, as amended, prohibits discrimination by federal contractors with respect to women and minorities. The purpose is to provide all applicants and employees an equal opportunity and to maintain a bias-free work environment. Also, as a federal contractor, UT is required to have Rehabilitation Act and Vietnam Era Veterans Affirmative Action Programs.

What does the OIE do?

At this university, the Office of Institutional Equity has been established since 1973 to investigate allegations of discrimination. The Office of Institutional Equity at UT Austin, also:

• serves as liaison between the university and community action organizations concerned with minorities and women;
• provides confidential counseling to those who feel they have experienced unlawful discrimination at the university; and,
• acts as a liaison with external agencies including the Texas Workforce Commission: Civil Rights Division, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) in the Department of Labor.

Most importantly, OIE serves as an internal administrative review for the university. The Office of Institutional Equity is a university office, and is not connected with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Who is responsible for EEO and AA?

It is the responsibility of all departments and personnel to insure the university's compliance with the EEO and AA policy.

What can I do if I feel I have experienced discrimination?

All employees may obtain information regarding their rights and proper procedures for the resolution of discrimination problems by contacting the Office of Institutional Equity. If you believe you have experienced discrimination including sexual harassment, OIE can provide you advice and consultation, investigate the facts of the case and initiate corrective procedures and other measures necessary for resolution of the complaint.

Equal Opportunity is the LAW; discrimination is prohibited by the:

• Title VI and VII Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended
• Equal Pay Act of 1963
• Age Discrimination Act of 1967, as amended
• Age Discrimination Act of 1975
• Title IX of the Education Amendment,
• Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974
• Executive Order 11246, as amended
• Rehabilitation Act of 1973, including Section 503 and 504
• Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, and
• Texas Labor Code, Chapter 21
• Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990/Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act, 2008

Any individual who feels he or she has been discriminated against should contact Katherine Antwi Green. Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against on the basis of disability should contact the University ADAAA/Section 504 Coordinator. All inquiries will be confidential, to the extent permitted by law, and no person should fear reprisals.

Where can I get more information?

Katherine Antwi Green
Assistant Vice President, Office of Institutional Equity
North Office Building A, Suite 4.302
512-471-1849