University of Pennsylvania
Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs

Jurisdiction

The President of the University of Pennsylvania has charged the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs with the central responsibility of ensuring that the University meets its obligations as an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and educational institution. The Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs, therefore, is responsible for implementing, articulating and advocating for the University of Pennsylvania's policies, procedures, and priorities in the areas of equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The University's equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies arise out of various federal laws and regulations prohibiting harassment and other forms of discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, creed, sex, age (persons over 40), disability (or association with persons with disabilities), and applicable veteran status. The University's affirmative action obligations arise out of federal laws and regulations requiring that affirmative efforts be taken, in a nondiscriminatory manner and in good faith, to recruit and retain in its workforce qualified women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans (special disabled and Vietnam era veterans).

Furthermore, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act makes it unlawful, in employment, to refuse to hire, to discharge, or to otherwise discriminate in any term or condition of employment because of race, color, religion, ancestry, age (40 and above), sex, national origin, non job related handicap or disability, possession of a diploma based on passing a general education development test, willingness or refusal to participate in abortion or sterilization, or refusal to contract with certain independent contractors for the same reasons. The Act also makes it unlawful to discriminate against any person because of the handicap or disability of an individual with whom the person is known to have a relationship or association. By City of Philadelphia ordinance, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity is prohibited as well.