Stanford is committed to recruiting and maintaining a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff; creating a community of fairness and respect; ensuring that resources are accessible to all; and complying with related laws and guidelines.
The Diversity & Access Office was created to advance the University's equal opportunity and affirmative action goals and commitment to diversity, and in this spirit we have pledged to create an environment in which differences are both welcomed and appreciated.
This office ensures University compliance with federal, state, and local regulations concerning diversity and disability. The following descriptions explain our primary responsibilities and the services we provide.
To accomplish our mission, we work collaboratively with Vice Presidents, Deans, Department Chairs, Administrative Managers, and Human Resources staff who have direct responsibility for achieving the University's objectives. We also provide an array of services designed to help solve specific problems and to ensure that all staff have a forum in which they can air concerns. Our goal is to effectively address issues before they become formal grievances.
Mission
The primary mission of the Diversity & Access Office (D&A) is twofold:
- To advance Stanford University's affirmative action goals and commitment to diversity, and to ensure that Stanford fulfills its obligation under the law to prohibit discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of sex, race, age, color, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national and ethnic origin, veterans status and any other characteristic protected by applicable law in the administration of its programs, and in the operation of the University.
- To coordinate and monitor campus compliance with the requirements of federal and state non-discrimination laws, including (but not limited to): Titles VI, VII, and IX of the Civil Rights Act; the Equal Pay Act; the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); Section(s) 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act; the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA); the Age Discrimination Act and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; Executive Order 11,246; the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA); and the Unruh Civil Rights Act. This responsibility includes providing guidance and evaluating efforts to improve access to campus facilities and programs as well as advising staff, faculty, and visitors regarding disability accommodations.
The Diversity & Access Office's mission is based on the following principles:
- Diversity is not defined exclusively by race or gender. It also encompasses a wide variety of other factors and characteristics, including (but not limited to) age, sexual orientation, veterans status, disabilities, and national origin or ancestry.
- A commitment to diversity is a commitment to all employees.
- Diversity among staff, students and faculty offers Stanford an opportunity to realize its excellence.
- Affirmative action is one method of including historically underrepresented populations into the workforce. Therefore, Stanford must maintain human resource information systems and develop an institutional philosophy based on the principles and ideals of affirmative action and an appreciation of a diverse workforce.
- Managers and supervisors and Human Resource personnel should examine how their current management and information systems operate and contribute to the leadership and skills development of staff and the University's affirmative action goals.
- The commitment to diversity must be shared by all Stanford administration, faculty, and staff.
Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA) &
Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act
In addition to other compliance activities, Stanford University develops an annual Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) for Individuals with Disabilities and Covered Veterans as required by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and VEVRAA (which applies to various covered veterans, not just those from the Vietnam Era). The plan describes policies, practices and procedures that we implement to ensure equal employment opportunity for veterans and individuals with disabilities and is available for review by Stanford employees and/or applicants during regular business hours and upon request to: Rosa Gonzalez, Director, Diversity & Access Office, Mariposa House, 585 Capistrano Way, Stanford, CA 94305-8230, (650) 723-0755 (voice), equal.opportunity@stanford.edu.