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Nondiscrimination Policy Statement

UC Nondiscrimination Statement

The University of California, in accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, may not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, pregnancy,¹ gender, gender identity, gender expression, gender transition, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability (including having a history of a disability or being regarded as being disabled), medical condition (cancer related or genetic characteristics), predisposing genetic information (including family medical history), marital status, age (at least 40 years of age), citizenship, or service in the uniformed services.²  The University also prohibits sexual harassment.  This nondiscrimination policy covers admission, access, and treatment in University programs and activities.

Questions about the application of nondiscrimination laws at UC Merced may be referred to the Director of the Office for Prevention and Discrimination (OPHD), the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or both.

¹ Pregnancy includes pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth.
² Service in the uniformed services includes membership, application for membership, performance of service, application for service, or obligation for service in the uniformed services.

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy and Grievance Procedures

The University prohibits discrimination on the basis of any of the Protected Category as defined by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy in any University education program or activity, including in admission.

The University prohibits discrimination against any individual who is employed by, seeking employment with, applying for, or participating in a paid or unpaid internship or training program that leads to employment with the University of California. Additionally, the University prohibits harassment of an employee, applicant, paid or unpaid intern, volunteer, participant in a program leading to employment, or contractor. As a federal contractor, the University undertakes affirmative action to fulfill its obligations.

For employees, this policy applies to all employment practices, including recruitment, selection, promotion, transfer, merit increase, salary, training and development, demotion, and separation. The University will not discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. For students, this policy applies to admission, access, and treatment within all University programs and activities.

Complaints of discrimination or harassment are resolved by the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD) following the resolution process outlined in the UC systemwide policy, as well as corresponding campus procedures.

Any person who believes they have experienced harassment or discrimination based on a Protected Category can submit a report to OPHD.

The Director of the OPHD is available to answer any questions regarding the Anti-Discrimination Policy.

Public Notice of Title VI Program Rights and Nondiscrimination Statement

UC Merced gives public notice of its policy to uphold and ensure full compliance with the non-discrimination requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related non-discrimination authorities.  Title VI and related non-discrimination authorities stipulate that no person in the United States of America shall on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, income level or limited English proficiency be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

Any person who believes they have, individually or as a member of any specific class of persons, been subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, income level or limited English proficiency has the right to file a formal complaint by submitting a report to OPHD. Discrimination complaints can also be reported to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

The Title VI Officer/Director of the OPHD is available to answer any questions regarding UC Merced’s Title VI Program.

Public Notice of ADA Rights and Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), UC Merced cannot discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities.

Employment:  UC Merced cannot discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under Title I of the ADA.

Effective Communication:  UC Merced will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in UC Merced’s programs, services, and activities, including qualified sign language interpreters, documents in Braille, and other ways of making information and communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing, or vision disabilities.

Modifications to Policies and Procedures:  UC Merced will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities. For example, individuals with service animals are welcomed in UC Merced offices where pets are generally prohibited.

The ADA does not require UC Merced to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.

UC Merced will not place a surcharge on a particular individual with a disability or any group of individuals with disabilities to cover the cost of providing auxiliary aids/services or reasonable modifications of policy, such as retrieving items from locations that are open to the public but are not accessible to persons who use wheelchairs.

Complaints that a program, service, or activity of UC Merced is not accessible to persons with disabilities can submit a report to OPHD. Discrimination complaints can also be reported to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

OPHD is available to answer any questions regarding UC Merced’s ADA program.

Public Notice of Section 1557 Nondiscrimination Statement

UC Merced complies with all applicable federal civil rights laws, including Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (Section 1557).  UC Merced cannot discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency and primary language), age, disability, or sex, including sex characteristics, including intersex traits; pregnancy or related conditions; sexual orientation; gender identity, and sex stereotypes in its health programs and activities.       

In compliance with Section 1557 and other federal civil rights laws, UC Merced provides individuals the following in a timely manner and free of charge:

  • Language Assistance Services: UC Merced will provide language assistance services for individuals with limited English proficiency (including individuals’ companions with limited English proficiency) to ensure meaningful access to our programs, activities, services, and other benefits. Language assistance services may include:
    • Electronic and written translated documents
    • Qualified interpreters
  • Appropriate Auxiliary Aids and Services: UC Merced will provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services for individuals with disabilities (including individuals’ companions with disabilities) to ensure effective communication.  Appropriate auxiliary aids and services may include:
    • Qualified interpreters, including American Sign Language interpreters
    • Video remote interpreting
    • Information in alternate formats (including but not limited to large print, recorded audio, and accessible electronic formats)
  • Reasonable Modifications: UC Merced will provide reasonable modifications for qualified individuals with disabilities when necessary, to ensure accessibility and equal opportunity to participate in our programs, activities, services, or other benefits.  

To access our language assistance services, auxiliary aids and services, and for assistance in getting a reasonable modification at the Student Health Services or Counseling and Psychological Services, please contact their offices.

If you believe UC Merced has failed to provide these services or has discriminated in another way on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability, you can submit a report to OPHD. Discrimination complaints can also be reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights.

The Section 1557 Coordinator/Director of the OPHD is available to answer any questions regarding Section 1557 compliance.

Contact Information

Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD)

Kim Overdyck

Director of OPHD, Title VI/VII Officer, Title IX Officer, Section 1557 Coordinator, EEO/AA Officer

Location: Kolligian Library, 3rd floor, Room 323

Phone: 209-285-9510

Email: ophd@ucmerced.edu

External Resources for Complaint Resolution

The following agencies may serve as neutral fact-finders to facilitate the voluntary resolution of complaints against the University.  Contact information for the nearest office is available on the agencies’ websites.   

Complaints of Discrimination of Students in Educational Programs or Activities

Complaints of Discrimination and Harassment in the Clinical, Health, Research, Education and Employment Programs

Complaints of Unlawful Discrimination and Harassment in Employment