About the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (EOA)

The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access is responsible for investigating complaints arising out of the Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Related Interpersonal Violence and the Title IX Policy & Grievance Procedures. The EOA Office assumes responsibility for implementation of these policies, and provides advice, assistance, and training on all issues related to harassment, discrimination, sexual misconduct, sexual harassment under Title IX, and retaliation. EOA documents are available in alternative formats by contacting the EOA office at (413) 545-3464 or @email.

We are located in Room 225 Bartlett Hall (130 Hicks Way). We strongly encourage you to make an appointment with us by calling (413) 545-3464, or email @email, before coming to the EOA office. Contacting us prior to your visit, allows us to schedule appointment times based on our available meeting room and waiting area spaces, so we can better plan for social distancing, making it a safer space for everyone who visits and works here. We are more than happy to continue to schedule Zoom and other types of remote meetings for those who prefer not to come into the office. We also have a new online reporting form that allows for concerns to be reported, including anonymously, if you choose.
 

The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (EOA):
 

• Administers the University's Title IX Policy & Procedures and provides advice and counsel to the campus community on related issues.

The University has a separate Title IX Policy & Procedures to address complaints of sexual harassment as defined by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 34 CFR 106 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance (May, 2020). The Title IX Policy and Procedures provides both informal and formal methods for complaint resolution. The Title IX Policy Hearing Procedures govern the hearing process for formal complaints filed under the Title IX Policy and Procedures. In addition, the University created the Title IX Coordination Team to further evaluate and address sexual harassment and sexual violence, working to ensure resources and responses are holistically coordinated.

Kerri Thompson Tillett is the university’s Title IX Coordinator. Reports or complaints of sexual harassment under Title IX should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator. Any person may report sex discrimination, sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and other sexual misconduct including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment), in person, by mail, by telephone, online, or by email, to the Title IX Coordinator whose contact information is provided below. A report to the Title IX Coordinator may be made at any time (including during non-business hours) via email, telephone, mail, or online using our new form, Report A Concern, which includes an option for anonymous submission.

Title IX Coordinator
Kerri Thompson Tillett
Associate Vice Chancellor for Equal Opportunity and Access
225 Bartlett Hall
130 Hicks Way
Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
Tel: (413) 545-3464
Email - TitleIXCoordinator@umass.edu
Online - Report A Concern

• Administers the University's internal sexual misconduct, discrimination and retaliation grievance procedures and conducts investigations relative to affirmative action and equal opportunity complaints.

Allegations of sexual misconduct, discrimination, harassment and related retaliation should be directed to the EOA Office as the office administers the University's Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Related Interpersonal Violence, which prohibits discrimination and harassment of students and employees.

The Interim Sexual Misconduct and Grievance Procedures, also administered by the EOA Office address complaints of sexual misconduct, alleged discrimination on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, color, religion, creed, age, marital status, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy related condition(s), gender identity and expression, gen etic information, political beliefs or affiliation, 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.

The Office of EOA encourages informal resolution of complaints and will work with the relevant parties and administrators to resolve these complaints. A complete list of protections the EOA grievance process addresses is available in the Affirmative Action, Non-Discrimination and Title IX Non-Discrimination Policy.

• Is responsible for administering reasonable workplace accommodations for faculty and staff.

The Accessible Workplace unit within the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (EOA) of Human Resources is responsible for administering reasonable workplace accommodations for faculty and staff through an interactive process. Contact the Accessible Workplace Office by email @email or in-person.

• Conducts training and outreach.

The EOA Office staff conduct workshops and provide training and outreach to the campus community regarding Title IX issues and issues of discrimination and harassment. The EOA Office also conducts workshops for all new employees which is an introduction to the University policies prohibiting discrimination and harassment; examines ways to prevent harassment and discrimination from occurring and steps to take if it does occur. The Office of EOA Office also offers customized training to meet the needs of specific areas on campus, as well as provides one-on-one training by request. The Title IX Specialist conducts trainings and workshops on multiple aspects of Title IX including: Title IX reporting, restorative justice, rape culture on campus, intersectionality of sexual violence, LGBTQIA+ cultural awareness, and substances and sex.