Policies

Board of Regents Policy RP 1.205 – Policy on Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action

It is the policy of the university to provide equity of opportunity in higher education, both in the educational mission and as an employer. The university is committed to comply with all State and Federal statutes, rules, and regulations which prohibit discrimination. The university is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, genetic information, marital status, breastfeeding, income assignment for child support, arrest and court record (except as permissible under State law), sexual orientation, national guard absence, or status as a covered veteran. This policy covers admission and access to and participation, treatment, and employment in the university’s programs and activities. Discriminatory harassment, including sexual harassment, is prohibited under this policy. The university shall promote a full realization of equal opportunity through a positive, continuing program of nondiscrimination and affirmative action (41 CFR Chapter 60) on each campus.

Domestic or Sexual Violence (includes stalking)

Effective January 1, 2012, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes chapter 378 was amended to protect victims of domestic or sexual violence from discrimination.

This protection covers employment practices such as recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, retention, compensation, benefits, transfers, and layoffs.

FAQ for victims of domestic and sexual violence (Act 206) (PDF)

Executive Policy EP 1.202 – Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action Policy (PDF)

The policy defines prohibited discrimination and harassment and provides specific examples.

Interim Executive Policy EP 1.204 – Interim Policy on Sex Discrimination (PDF)

Prevention and Information

• Contact your campus Title IX Coordinator for information, educational material and workshops.
• Title IX training is available for UH employees online.

Campus Contacts

• Title IX Coordinator
• UH Mānoa Gender Advocate

The University of Hawaiʻi is committed to creating a community free from intimidation, harassment and violence.

Sexual assault is prohibited by law and is a serious offense that violates the basic standards of behavior expected of members of the university community. The university will not tolerate acts of sexual assault. This includes domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. The university will take appropriate action to prevent sexual assault and will correct and discipline behavior that is found to violate this policy.

Interim Executive Policy EP 1.204 – Interim Policy on Sex Discrimination (PDF)

How to Get Help

Any member of the university community who has been sexually assaulted is strongly encouraged to report the incident to the local police and/or campus security.

You may also request assistance from your campus Title IX Coordinator or Dean/Vice Chancellor for Students.

UH Mānoa students and employees may contact the Gender Equity Counselor or the Counseling & Student Development Center.

Title IX Online training is available for UH employees.

For information on campus procedures, resources, and complaint procedures, please contact your campus Title IX Coordinator.

• The University’s Interim EP 1.204 prohibits sexual harassment and sexual violence in any University workplace, educational program, activity, or service, which includes all academic, extracurricular, student housing, athletics, and other programs. The policy covers sexual harassment and sexual violence based on gender identity and gender expression. The policy applies to all students and employees of the University, as well as volunteers, visiting interns, and third parties such as guests, patrons, independent contractors, or clients of the University The policy applies to persons regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
• The University prohibits and will not tolerate retaliation. Persons who commit retaliation in violation of this policy are subject to appropriate disciplinary action. Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by this policy, or because the individual has made a Report or Complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation or proceeding under this policy and its accompanying procedure Interim AP 1.204.

The University of Hawaiʻi is committed to ensuring a safe, civil, working environment in which the dignity of every individual is recognized and respected. All members of the University share equal responsibility in this regard. All relationships between University employees and its students adhere to principles of professionalism, integrity, mutual trust, and respect.

The Policy on Consensual Relationships takes a best-practice approach in recognizing and managing consensual relationships, while also balancing the privacy interests of individuals and supporting the values, mission and goals of our university.

In particular, this policy will help our campuses remain free from real or perceived conflicts when individuals in positions of unequal power are involved in consensual romantic, dating or sexual relationships. Power is unequal when one individual in a relationship has direct supervision, direction, instruction, oversight, evaluation, advisement or substantial influence over the employment or educational status of another.

Executive Policy EP 1.203 – Policy on Consensual Relationships

Questions & Answers on the Consensual Relationships Policy

Job Accommodations

Contact your Human Resources representative to request a job accommodation.

You can also contact the EEO/AA Office at [email protected] or your campus ADA Coordinator for information on the reasonable accommodation process for applicants and employees with disabilities.

For more information on the Interactive Process, please feel free to review our recorded series on National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals

This policy was created to support the university’s goal of providing a safe and welcoming place to learn and work, to support the university’s commitment to equal access for persons with disabilities, and to establish guidelines for the university regarding the use of Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals.

Executive Policy EP 1.207 – Executive Policy on Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals

DCAB has additional resources for Services Animals in places of public accommodation, and Assistance Animals in housing. You may also print your own Service Animal Card to provide to your department staff.

Program Access

Are you teaching a class? Sponsoring a public event? Organizing a workshop? Leading a field trip? Responsible for a sports event?

All university programs and activities should be accessible to persons with disabilities. Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act states: “A public entity shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, a service, program, or activity conducted by a public entity.”

For information and guidance on program access, contact your campus ADA/504 Coordinator. Systems Programs and UH Mānoa departments can contact the EEO/AA Office at [email protected] or the KOKUA Program (student disability services).

You can also download the State of Hawaiʻi Programs and Services Manual For Persons with Disabilities. The manual covers customer service, auxiliary aids, sign language interpreters, facility access, service animals, registration forms, catering and banquet facilities, audio/visual presentations, safety and other elements of an accessible program.

Web access

All university programs have an obligation to ensure effective communication with persons with disabilities. This includes print media, audio media and electronic media such as the internet.

More about designing accessible websites.

Procedures

For guidelines on affirmative action recruitment and EEO in the hiring process, see Administrative Procedure AP 9.540 – Recruitment and Selection Procedures for APT and Faculty

Search Committees

Are you serving on a search committee?

Please review the Mānoa Search Committee Packet (PDF).

You are strongly advised to have your Human Resources representative provide a search committee briefing on affirmative action goals and recruitment, unlawful and lawful inquiries, confidentiality, preventing conflicts of interest and conducting background and reference checks.