Policies and Laws

Southwest courtyard

Affirmative Action and Non-Discrimination Policy Statement

The University of Massachusetts Amherst prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, mental or physical disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law in any aspect of the access to, admission, or treatment of students in its programs and activities, or in employment and application for employment. Furthermore, University policy includes prohibitions of harassment of students and employees, i.e., racial harassment, sexual harassment, and retaliation for filing complaints of discrimination.  

Affirmative action in employment is required for women; racial and ethnic minorities; disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, active duty wartime or campaign badge veterans, and Armed Forces service medal veterans; and individuals with disabilities in order to address under-representation in the workforce. Inquiries concerning applicable laws, regulations, and policies should be addressed to:


E. Cheryl Ponder
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Advocacy, Inclusion & Support Programs Collaborative
ecponder@umass.edu
413-545-2300

Kevin Kerwood
Interim Vice Chancellor Human Resources
EEO/AA and the University’s Affirmative Action Plan
kkerwood@umass.edu
413-545-6124

Kerri Thompson Tillett
Associate Vice Chancellor for Equal Opportunity
ktillet@umass.edu
413-545-3464
www.umass.edu/eo

In addition, the following individuals may be contacted for Title IX related matters:

Christine Wilda 
Associate Chancellor for Compliance
cwilda@umass.edu
413-545-2148

Shelly Perdomo-Ahmed​
Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Life
saperdomo@umass.edu
413-545-2300

Center for Women & Community
Rape Crisis/Violence Prevention
180 Infirmary Way
New Africa House
(413) 545-0883
24 Hour Rape Crisis Hotline: (413) 545-0800
TTY: 413-577-0940
ewcmail@admin.umass.edu
www.umass.edu/ewc

Lieutenant​ Tom O’Donnell
UMass Amherst Police Department
585 East Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01003
(413) 545-2121 (Emergency: 911)
pspmail@admin.umass.edu
www.umass.edu/umpd

Additional Resources:

Campus Advocacy for Diversity & Inclusion:
Nefertiti Walker
Associate Chancellor for Equity and Inclusion 
nwalker@isenberg.umass.edu
413-545-5012

The ADA Compliance Officer will provide information about the University's obligations with respect to the provisions of nondiscrimination statutes including information about the requirement to provide program accessibility for persons with disabilities.

The University is committed to compliance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, Title I and Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Executive Order 11246 (1965), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its regulations found at 34 C.F.R. part 106, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Vietnam-era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, and with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapters 151B, 151C, and Chapter 149, all as amended. Inquiries regarding federal laws may be directed to:

U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
5 Post Office Square, 8th Floor
Boston, MA 02109-3921
(617) 289-0111
TTY: (800) 877-8339
OCR.Boston@ed.gov

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
John F. Kennedy Federal Building
475 Government Center
Boston, MA 02203
(800) 669-4000
TTY: (800) 669-6820

Inquiries regarding state laws may be directed to:

Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
436 Dwight Street, Room 220
Springfield, MA 01103. 
(413) 739-2145