Equal Opportunity Policy
 

The University of Houston is committed to providing equality of treatment and opportunity in an environment that appreciates and respects the diversity of the community it serves. It is university policy to prohibit discrimination in employment and educational services based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation, except where such a distinction is required by law, and to promote the full realization of equal opportunity through an affirmative action program.

Inquiries and/or complaints regarding the university's affirmative action/equal opportunity policies may be directed to the Executive Director of Affirmative Action, who is the designated Title IX Coordinator, ADA Coordinator, Section 504 Coordinator, Title VI Coordinator, Texas Educational Opportunity Plan Coordinator, and the Equal Employment and Education Opportunity Compliance Officer.

The following is the official University of Houston Equal Educational and Employment Opportunity Nondiscrimination statement and should be used in all university publications:
 

The University of Houston provides equal treatment and opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or sexual orientation except where such distinction is required by law.

For Interim Grievance Procedures Relating to Title IX and Other Discrimination Complaints, see Appendix A.

Sexual Harassment
 

The University of Houston is committed to providing a professional working and learning environment free from sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination and is illegal. Sexual harassment on a university campus most often exploits a relationship between individuals of unequal power and authority (for example, between an employee and supervisor or between a student and teacher), but may also occur between student peers or employees of equal rank. At a university, sexual harassment also constitutes unprofessional conduct which compromises the university's commitment to the integrity of the learning process.

As such, the University of Houston will not tolerate any form of sexual harassment. Failure to investigate allegations of sexual harassment or failure to take timely corrective action is considered a violation of the university's sexual harassment policy and may also violate federal and state laws. Furthermore, this institution is committed to providing the training necessary to educate the staff, faculty, and students to understand and respect these policies and procedures.

Harassment on the basis of sex may be discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 2000e, and Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681. In addition, sexual harassment by a public servant is a criminal offense under Texas Penal Code Sec. 39.02, and sexual harassment by any individual may constitute assault, sexual assault, public lewdness, or indecent exposure under Chapters 21 and 22 of the Texas Penal Code or sexual assault under the University of Houston's Sexual Assault Policy.

Additional avenues for filing a complaint at any time before, during, or after use of invoking the University Sexual Harassment Procedures, but within time limits required by law, include but are not limited to, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; the Texas Commission for Human Rights, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and, for students, the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education.

Copies of the Interim Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Policies are available in the Office of Affirmative Action, ext. 38835.