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Office of Equal Opportunity

Westminster University’s Office of Equal Opportunity works to ensure equitable opportunity in education and employment for all members of the university community without regard to an individual’s race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by law.

Non-discrimination Statements

At Westminster University, we cultivate a respectful, equitable, and healthy campus community through our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in curricular and co-curricular activities, programs, policies, practices, and external engagement. For additional information, read our Diversity Statement and Commitment to an Inclusive Westminster University.

Westminster University does not discriminate based on race, color, pregnancy, childbirth, or pregnancy-related conditions, age, religion, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, military status, and genetic information, or other legally protected status. The university's commitment to nondiscrimination applies to students, employees, and applicants for admission and employment.

Westminster University has policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all related federal and state legislation and regulation including the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); the Age Discrimination Act; and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

For reports regarding sex discrimination under 342 Title IX Policy, individuals may contact Westminster University Title IX representative:

Mary Edmonds
Director of Care and Conduct/Title IX Coordinator
Gore 116
801.832.2496

All other inquiries may be addressed to the Office of Equal Opportunity. Westminster University Equal Opportunity representative:

Westminster University does not discriminate based on race, color, pregnancy, childbirth, or pregnancy-related conditions, age, religion, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, military status, and genetic information, or other legally protected status. The university's commitment to nondiscrimination applies to students, employees, and applicants for admission and employment. For additional information, see the full Non-Discrimination Statement.

Westminster University is an equal opportunity employer and educational institution. Read our full non-discrimination statement.

Your rights under federal laws:

Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973/ADA: Westminster university is committed to provide equal access in higher education. If you need disability-related accommodations in this class, have emergency medical information you wish to share with me, or need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please inform me immediately. Please see me privately after class or in my office. Disability Services authorizes disability-related academic accommodations in cooperation with the students themselves and their instructors. Students who need academic accommodations or have questions about their eligibility should contact Disability Services in the basement of Giovale Library by phone at 801.832.2272 or by email at disabilityservices@westminsteru.edu.

Title IX: Westminster University is committed to providing a safe learning environment for all students that is free of all forms of discrimination and sexual harassment. This includes discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. If you (or someone you know) has experienced or experiences any of these incidents, know you are not alone. Westminster University has staff members trained to support you in navigating campus life, accessing health and counseling service, providing academic and housing accommodations, and more.

Please be aware all Westminster University faculty members are “mandatory reporters” which means if you tell me about a situation involving sexual harassment or gender discrimination, I must report that information with the Title IX Coordinator.  Our goal is to make sure you are aware of the range of options available to you and have access to the resources you need.

If you wish to speak to someone, you can contact any of the following on-campus resources:

If you wish to make a report directly to the Title IX Office, please complete the Title IX reporting form or contact Mary Edmonds at 801.832.2496 or medmonds@westminsteru.edu. The Title IX website contains more information about resources, rights, policy and procedures, and updated information regarding our Title IX program at Westminster University.

Equal Opportunity: Westminster’s Equal Opportunity policy prohibits discrimination or harassment based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, genetic information, military status, national origin, race, religion, pregnancy and related conditions, childbirth, gender identity, sex, or sexual orientation in any of its programs or activities. Westminster is committed to providing a safe and non-discriminatory environment for all members of the university community, including those whose gender identity and/or expression differs from the sex assigned to them at birth. Harassment and discrimination based on gender identity or expression is prohibited by the university and will not be tolerated. This includes refusal to address an individual by the gender they identify with. If you experience or witness prohibited conduct, or any form of discrimination or harassment, you should contact an Equal Opportunity Representative listed below:

The equal opportunity policy and procedures can be accessed from the Student Life webpage. As an instructor, just as with Title IX, I am required to report any information I obtain regarding discrimination or harassment to an Equal Opportunity Representative for further review.

Required Uses

Westminster University will include a statement of nondiscriminatory policy in any bulletins, announcements, publications, catalogs, application forms, or other recruitment materials that are made available to participants, students, applicants, or employees including but not limited to:

  • Academic catalogs
  • Applications for admission
  • Applications for employment
  • University websites
  • Handbooks (use all required language)

This information also needs to be in any publication that mentions or describes sex discrimination policies, procedures, or prohibitions. The shortened version can be used so long as the URL links to the full notice of nondiscrimination.

Additional Usage

Websites, publications and other university-generated materials must contain the shortened or micro version and a link to the full notice. The micro notice is designed to fit onto all space-constricted uses such as email or website footers, postcards, tickets, fliers, public notices, or other small communications or publications. If space allows, please use the shortened version.

Annual Notification

Annual notification may include posting information notices, publishing in local newspapers, publishing in newspapers and magazines operated by the school or its students, publishing in alumnae or alumni newspapers or magazines, or distributing memoranda or other written communications to students and employees.

Equal Opportunity

While the Title IX Policy covers gender-based discrimination and harassment as defined by the Department of Education, the Equal Opportunity Policy covers discrimination and harassment on a wide range of other federally protected classes. The Office of Equal Opportunity serves as the main point of contact for reporting and response to claims under the Equal Opportunity Policy. The Equal Opportunity Policy aims to prevent and address discrimination and harassment that is based on:

  • Age
  • Color
  • Disability
  • Ethnicity
  • Genetic Information
  • Military Status
  • National Origin
  • Race
  • Religion
  • Pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions
  • Sex
  • Gender Identity
  • Sexual Orientation

The Equal Opportunity Policy ensures the university is in compliance with federal and state laws relating to discrimination and harassment. The policy also strives to create an environment that is inclusive for learning and working.

Religious Accommodations

Westminster University respects the religious beliefs and practices of all and will provide reasonable accommodations for the observances of its students.

Pregnancy Accommodations

Westminster provides reasonable accommodations to students who require a temporary change to how, when, or where they participate in campus learning and activities due to pregnancy or related conditions. If you are pregnant or are recovering from childbirth, you may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation.

Title IX

Westminster’s Title IX team strives to maintain a safe and healthy educational environment that is free from sexual misconduct and discrimination based on sex, creating and sustaining an educational, living, and working environment that is conducive to learning and is supportive of students and employees. The Title IX team supports the entire Westminster community in a neutral role, meaning all members of the university community can access our resources. The university complies with all federal and state laws including Title IX, the Violence Against Women Act, and the Clery Act.

GET TITLE IX INFORMATION

Equal Opportunity Representative(s)