Brigham Young University
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Brigham Young University prohibits unlawful discrimination in employment, education, and all university-sponsored programs and activities. This prohibition applies to acts of unlawful discrimination by or against university employees, students, and campus visitors—including applicants for employment or admission—and it includes unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age (40 and over), disability, genetic information, or veteran status. 

The university will not tolerate unlawful discrimination and will take immediate and appropriate steps to stop unlawful discrimination, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects. The university also prohibits retaliation against any employee or student who (a) reports to the university a belief that unlawful discrimination is taking or has taken place, or (b) participates in any way in an investigation of a claim of discrimination. Retaliation will be considered a separate act of discrimination.

See the Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy. 

See also the Student Nondiscrimination Policy.

BYU's Discrimination Complaint Procedures apply to all university students, faculty, administrative and staff employees, volunteers and representatives, and campus visitors. The following avenues are available for reporting discriminatory conduct:

• The Office of Belonging addresses discriminatory conduct involving students, including between students or between students and employees.


• The Equal Opportunity Manager addresses discriminatory conduct involving student employees, administrative and staff employees.


• The Assistant to the Academic Vice President addresses discriminatory conduct involving faculty or athletic professionals.


• Additionally, the University Compliance Hotline is operated by a third party, EthicsPoint, and can recieve anonymous reports.

The university will not tolerate unlawful discrimination and will take immediate and appropriate steps to stop unlawful discrimination, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects.

SOAR is a BYU college preparation and scholarship program that values and provides opportunities to domestic students who possess a variety of individual characteristics, perspectives, and talents, and who have a variety of life experiences and circumstances. It aims to expose students to BYU campus, faculty, and advisors to guide them through the admissions application in order to become competitive BYU applicants.

Although SOAR is open to all domestic students after their junior year of high school (or equivalent), priority will be given (through a holistic evaluation) to individuals who lack access to the same educational resources, experiences, and opportunities as others.

Additionally, BYU Admissions Services targets its recruiting trips to include geographic areas that typically have a higher number of underrepresented populations. It also offers livestream webinars in Spanish.

The Office of Belonging collaboratively engages university-wide efforts to create a community of belonging by providing access to belonging advisors, hosting campus events and campaigns, giving educational presentations, and providing experiential learning opportunities that support an environment of belonging. Advisors are available to meet with students, faculty, and staff, one-on-one to discuss individual concerns, questions, and ideas about belonging on campus. The Office of Belonging assists the university to value and embrace the variety of individual characteristics, life experiences and circumstances, perspectives, talents, and gifts of each member of the community and the richness and strength they bring to the BYU community.

Careers and Experiential Learning works with students and employers to facilitate connections with underrepresented groups. Recent events include “Empowering Women,” “Belonging Begins with Me: Dinner with Student Athletes” and the First-Year, First-Generation College Student Luncheon. 

The College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences’ Committee for Belonging supports faculty and prospective faculty from underrepresented groups, collaborates with campus stakeholders to create welcoming academic environments, and educates and supports students.

Counseling and Psychological Services provides confidential counseling and assistance for all students. 

The Dean of Students supports student development and addresses issues and needs in a supportive environment.

The Equal Opportunity Office provides training on discrimination issues.

The Faculty Advisory Council’s Committee on Belonging works closely with the Academic Vice President and makes formal recommendations to the Academic Vice President's Council.

International Student Services can direct individuals in need of assistance and resources for visas and immigration status issues.

Multicultural Student Services organizes cultural events that educate and include all students. It also serves American minority students and the university community.

The Student Health Center's comprehensive health care services are available to students, their spouses, and their children.

The Title IX Office handles inquiries regarding discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex, offers information and resources, and provides training. The Title IX Compliance Committee oversees the Title IX compliance program across the university's educational programs and activities.

The Wellness Wise Committee recommends and administers campus-wide collaborations and initiatives that advance wellness for all individuals and the campus community.

Women’s Services and Resources provides individual consultations, support groups, educational outreach, and referral services.