Florida International University
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Florida International University (FIU or the University) affirms its commitment to ensure that each member of the University community shall be permitted to work or study in an environment free from any form of illegal discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, disability, sex (including sexual misconduct), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, veteran status, and/or any other legally protected status (collectively referred to as Protected Status1). The University recognizes its obligation to work towards a community in which diversity is valued and opportunity is equalized. https://law.fiu.edu/students/fiu-nondiscrimination-policy/

Florida International University’s policy, FIU-105 is the discrimination response policy for the institution. The Office of Equal Opportunity Programs and Diversity (EOPD) at Florida International University strives to maintain an inclusive environment free from discrimination and harassment. Our purpose is to ensure equitable treatment of applicants, employees, and students. We are responsible for advancing, upholding, reaffirming, and monitoring policies and procedures that ensure the University complies with all applicable federal, state, local, and internal mandates. This is achieved by fostering collaboration and cooperation in our community and by encouraging all members to respect each other’s contributions without regard to gender, race, disability, or any other protected category. If any applicant, employee, or student has a good faith belief that they have been discriminated against or harassed based on Age, Color, Disability, Gender, Marital Status, Ethnic/National Origin, Race, Religion, Retaliation, Sexual Harassment or any other protected category, the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs and Diversity encourages him/her to complete the Discrimination Complaint Processing Form and submit it to our office on the Modesto Maidique Campus in PC-321. EOPD will investigate the complaint in accordance with University policy and procedures. Anyone within our campus community that has witnessed or experienced sexual harassment, discrimination, or any form of sexual violence can speak with any of the following Title IX coordinators. The Title IX and Equal Opportunity Coordinator oversees all discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct complaints made by employees, students and visitors. The Vice-President of Human Resources has designated Shirlyon McWhorter, Director of Equal Opportunity Programs and Diversity, as the Title IX Coordinator. You may file a complaint with one of the Title IX coordinators listed below. Alternatively, you may file an anonymous complaint using our Ethical Panther Reporting Line, Convercent by calling 844-312-5358 or online at https://compliance.fiu.edu/hotline.html Shirlyon McWhorter Title IX Coordinator Director, Equal Opportunity Programs and Diversity PC321 Phone: (305) 348-1509 E-Mail: eopd@fiu.edu For reports or inquiries of gender inequity or gender-based misconduct concerning faculty, staff, and outside contractors, visitors or vendors. Kristen Kawczynski Deputy Title IX Coordinator Director, Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution GC311A Phone: (305) 348-3939 E-Mail: kristin.kawczynski@fiu.edu For reports or inquiries of gender inequity or gender-based misconduct concerning students. Julie Berg Deputy Title IX Coordinator Senior Associate Athletic Director USCBA 202A Phone: (305) 348-2352 Email: julie.berg-Mc_Graw@fiu.edu For reports or inquiries of gender inequity or gender-based misconduct involving athletics.

The FIU recruitment team visits schools around South Florida, including the low-income areas, to recruit students to come about FIU. They also give out information about financial aid. Policy 1705.010: Recruitment & Selection The purpose of this policy is to ensure that Florida International University will attract and retain diverse and the most highly qualified workforce available to effectuate its academic, research, and service mission. It is our intention to make public, any information about employment opportunities at the university to as many people as necessary to ensure compliance with the EEO and other applicable laws. To do so, it is essential to conduct effective external recruitment searches and also support current employees in their career goals by providing fair and equitable internal transfer and promotional processes. This policy is specifically concerned with the recruitment phase of the selection process and addresses the behavior expected from all persons in the university community who have a role in conducting specific recruitment activities when an employment opportunity exists. Commitment to EEO/AA and Diversity It is required by law that Florida International University provides equal employment opportunity to all, without regard to race, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, and veteran status. It is further required by law that the University ensures that its policies and practices are non-discriminatory. As a federal contractor, goals have been established to address any underutilization of women and/or minorities. The Equal Opportunity Programs department annually updates its written plan for Women and Minorities. Upon completion, the university analyzes the participation of women and minorities in each job group. If women or minorities are underutilized in any job group, the University sets goals for each such job group. The University must be able to document that it made good faith efforts to meet any established goals, which means that the appropriate steps will be taken to ensure that persons of the underutilized group, whether women or minorities or both, as well as all others, are considered in the selection process. Other efforts include, but are not limited to: - Communicating the University’s commitment of inclusivity by conducting trainings in a number of key areas including Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) policies, Affirmative Action (AA) legislation, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and amendments, sexual harassment, as well as diversity policies, procedures, programs and initiatives. - Promoting a culturally diverse and inclusive working and learning environment where current and prospective faculty, staff, and students are treated fairly and valued for their individuality. - Aiding in the recruitment and retention of a diverse faculty, staff, and administration by conducting workshops on best practices for hiring and mentoring offered by the Office to Advance Women, Equity, and Diversity. http://advance.fiu.edu/

FIU has numerous programs to support underrepresented groups within the student body including: - Graduate Minority Opportunities Program (GMOP): The State University System (SUS) has established a grant to assist minority students with their graduate education in areas where they have been traditionally underrepresented. - McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Program: The Florida Education Fund (FEF) in Tampa, Florida provides fellowships for African American or Hispanic, US citizens to pursue Ph.D. degrees in the state of Florida. - Delores Auzenne Fellowship: The Office of Equal Opportunity Programs and Diversity coordinates the Delores Auzenne Fellowship for minority graduate students. The fellowship is for FIU minorities students that have been accepted as degree seeking students into graduate (master or doctoral) disciplines where minority graduate students are disproportionately underrepresented. - Minority Community College Transfer Scholarship: The Office of Equal Opportunity Programs and Diversity coordinates the Minority Community College Transfer Scholarship. The scholarship is a competitive award granted to qualified minority students, at Florida International University, who are Florida residents on the basis of financial need, academic merit, or both - Student Support Services coordinates the TRIO program which is a Federal Grant sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. The Federal TRIO Programs are Federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. At FIU we have the following TRIO programs: Ronald E. McNair Post baccalaureate Achievement, Talent Search, Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math-Science. The Office of Employee Assistance (OEA) and Employee Labor & Relations (ELR) provide support and mentoring to staff and faculty for underrepresented groups. The Office of Employee Assistance which is a faculty/staff employee assistance program providing confidential professional assistance to help employees. The goal and objective of Employee Labor & Relations is to ensure that the University is in compliance with Federal, State and local laws, Collective Bargaining Agreements and University Policies and Procedures when managing our greatest resource – University employees.

FIU has numerous programs to support underrepresented groups within the student body including: - Graduate Minority Opportunities Program (GMOP): The State University System (SUS) has established a grant to assist minority students with their graduate education in areas where they have been traditionally underrepresented. - McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Program: The Florida Education Fund (FEF) in Tampa, Florida provides fellowships for African American or Hispanic, US citizens to pursue Ph.D. degrees in the state of Florida. - Delores Auzenne Fellowship: The Office of Equal Opportunity Programs and Diversity coordinates the Delores Auzenne Fellowship for minority graduate students. The fellowship is for FIU minorities students that have been accepted as degree seeking students into graduate (master or doctoral) disciplines where minority graduate students are disproportionately underrepresented. - Minority Community College Transfer Scholarship: The Office of Equal Opportunity Programs and Diversity coordinates the Minority Community College Transfer Scholarship. The scholarship is a competitive award granted to qualified minority students, at Florida International University, who are Florida residents on the basis of financial need, academic merit, or both - Student Support Services coordinates the TRIO program which is a Federal Grant sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. The Federal TRIO Programs are Federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. At FIU we have the following TRIO programs: Ronald E. McNair Post baccalaureate Achievement, Talent Search, Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math-Science. The Office of Employee Assistance (OEA) and Employee Labor & Relations (ELR) provide support and mentoring to staff and faculty for underrepresented groups. The Office of Employee Assistance which is a faculty/staff employee assistance program providing confidential professional assistance to help employees. The goal and objective of Employee Labor & Relations is to ensure that the University is in compliance with Federal, State and local laws, Collective Bargaining Agreements and University Policies and Procedures when managing our greatest resource – University employees. include, but are not limited to: - Communicating the University’s commitment of inclusivity by conducting trainings in a number of key areas including Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) policies, Affirmative Action (AA) legislation, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and amendments, sexual harassment, as well as diversity policies, procedures, programs and initiatives. - Promoting a culturally diverse and inclusive working and learning environment where current and prospective faculty, staff, and students are treated fairly and valued for their individuality. - Aiding in the recruitment and retention of a diverse faculty, staff, and administration by conducting workshops on best practices for hiring and mentoring offered by the Office to Advance Women, Equity, and Diversity.

http://regulations.fiu.edu/regulation http://hr.fiu.edu/index.php?name=discrimination/harassment_complaints Gender-inclusive housing affords FIU students the option to live on campus in a single room suite or apartment with whomever they choose, regardless of biological sex, gender, or gender identity. The dorms that have gender inclusive designated rooms include Parkview, University Towers, University Apartments, Lakeview North and Everglades Hall. Graham Center GC161 Everglades Hall EH142 Everglades Hall EH143 Phillip & Patricia Frost Art Museum PPFAM201 Phillip & Patricia Frost Art Museum PPFAM201 Recreation Center RC222 Parkview Next to Room 114 in East Lobby Parkview Next to Room 152 in West Lobby Student Health Center SHC184 Lakeview Hall North LH106 Lakeview Hall South LH106 Academic Health Center AHC503 Academic Health Center AHC504