Services

The Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion works to make the university a welcoming, and accessible environment for all.  Whether in need of training, assistance, investigation, or education, DEI is here to support the Mason community.

Understand Your Rights

If you or someone you know is the subject of illegal harassment, discrimination, or sexual misconduct, meet with a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team to talk about your options.  Mason has procedures in place to administer and enforce university policies, as well as state and federal laws.

In addition, DEI offers educational trainings and workshops to ​ensure that members of the campus community understand their rights and responsibilities, specifically with regard to maintaining a learning and working environment free from illegal discrimination.

DEI works collaboratively with campus entities and the surrounding community to ensure physical and program access for persons with disabilities, and to create, design, and disseminate programs that bring diverse people together in an encouraging and welcoming environment.

The University's ADA Coordinator, Title IX Coordinator, and Assistive Technology Initiative are all part of the DEI portfolio.

What DEI Does

The Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

  • Investigates complaints alleging protected-class discrimination and harassment to ensure University adherence to equal employment opportunity and civil rights laws—including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and affirmative action regulations.
     
  • Monitors the University’s continuing commitment to Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence in employment, educational, and business practices.
     
  • Provides a process for consultation with the University’s ADA Coordinator regarding workplace accommodations.
     
  • Guides the campus community with technical assistance and direction surrounding accessibility for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
     
  • Ensures physical and program access for individuals with disabilities through the Assistive Technology Initiative, and other university entities.
     
  • Participates in training and advising managers, hiring authorities, and search committees on their responsibilities in conducting fair, equitable, legal, ethical, and unbiased searches that identify highly qualified talent representative of the diversity of the National Capital Region.
     
  • Crafts and conducts live and virtual training sessions to inform the campus community of their rights and responsibilities in maintaining an environment free from discrimination and harassment.