Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Affirmative Action
Worcester State University maintains and promotes a policy of non-discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital or parental status, or veteran status. Our Office is responsible for promoting and maintaining that policy. A primary purpose of the Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Affirmative Action Plan, is to inform the campus of:
- the prohibition of all forms of discrimination, discriminatory harassment, sexual violence, sexual and gender-based harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and retaliation;
- our efforts to prevent such behaviors; and
- the manner in which we will respond to such behaviors, including the prompt, impartial, fair and thorough investigation and resolution of complaints.
Through the Plan, the University seeks to responsibly recognize and, when possible, resolve the effects of past societal discrimination and the impact that discrimination has had. To those ends, we commit to an ongoing examination of all policies and procedures to ensure that they do not operate to the detriment of any person on any discriminatory basis. Finally, we commit to a proactive affirmative action posture with respect to the recruitment, selection and promotion of students and employees.
Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Affirmative Action Plan
Equal Opportunity Officer
The University’s Equal Opportunity Officer (“EO Officer”) oversees its compliance with the Plan, as well as the state and federal non-discrimination and equal opportunity laws. Anyone with questions, concerns, or complaints regarding discrimination, discriminatory harassment, or retaliation may contact the EO Officer:
Maria Isabel Gariepy
Executive Director of Affirmative Action & Equal Opportunity
Chief Diversity & Equity Officer
mgariepy1@worcester.edu
508-929-8784
Title IX and Sexual Violence
Anyone with questions or concerns about any form of sexual violence, sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, domestic violence, stalking, and/or retaliation may also contact the Title IX Coordinator.