About OAE
The Office for Access and Equity, as part of the Office of the Chancellor, strives to increase access to employment, programs, and services in an environment free of unlawful discrimination and harassment. OAE also offers Dispute Resolution Services (DRS), which provides confidential consultation, facilitation and mediation services to faculty, academic and support staff.
Services
The Office for Access and Equity offers a variety of services to faculty, academic professionals, civil service staff, students, and others associated with UIC, including:
- Equal Employment Opportunity
- Investigating complaints of unlawful discrimination, unlawful sexual harassment, and retaliation.
- Facilitating the Americans with Disabilities ("ADA") accommodation interactive process.
- Advising administrators, faculty and staff on issues related to discrimination and harassment.
- Dispute Resolution Services ("DRS")
- Providing facilitation, conciliation, and mediation to resolve conflicts in the workplace.
- Affirmative Action/Academic Hiring
- Collaborating in the development and oversight of the campus' Affirmative Action Plan.
- Assisting in the recruitment and retention of members of under-represented groups.
- Training/Educational Programs
- Offering interactive educational workshops on preventing and responding to sexual harassment and discrimination claims, AA/EO, the Americans with Disabilities Act, conflict resolution, team building, and many other related topics.
News and Events
Nov-19-2012
COE alum Caryn Bills has been named the new Associate Chancellor for UIC.Oct-29-2012
University of Illinois at Chicago is the "Featured Institution" on the homepage of The National Registry of Diverse & Strategic Faculty .Feb-20-2012
OAE has rolled out its Online Sexual Harassment Prevention Course.Feb-01-2012
Academic Careers Online hosts the 4th annual Online Diversity Job FairJan-30-2012
Convergence: Diversity and Inclusion, An Advertorial, The Chronicle of Higher EducationNov-02-2011
The OAE staff congratulates Director Caryn Bills for receiving the 25 years Service Recognition Award.Nov-09-2010
UIC HireTouchNov-09-2012
FROM: Maureen Parks, Associate Vice President for Human ResourcesRE: New University Policies
Because of the recent incidents at Penn State, the President's Office assembled a "Sexual Abuse and Harassment Task Force." Yesterday, I shared with our Board of Trustees new policies developed by the Task Force. I believe that these policies will provide for a comprehensive program that protects minors on our campuses as well as increases the safety of our students, employees, and visitors.
These policies are posted on the University of Illinois Human Resources website and I encourage you to review them and their corresponding FAQs. Summarized below are aspects of the policies all employees need to know.
University of Illinois Policy: Protection of Minors
- Based on an updated Illinois law called the "Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act" (ANCRA), if you, as a University employee, suspect that a child known to you in your professional capacity is either abused or neglected, then you must report this to the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) by calling 1-800-25ABUSE. You then must also call your campus police and let them know a report has been made to DCFS.
- All U of I employees will participate in an education program to make sure you understand the ANCRA reporting requirements. This program will begin in Spring 2013. You will receive information early next year about how and when to participate in this program. You do not need to take any immediate action to register for this program.
- ANCRA education material will be offered online and we anticipate that most employees will complete the mandatory education program this way. Paper-based education material will be offered to those employees without access to computers.
University of Illinois Policy: Prohibition of Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct, and Related Activities and Educational Programs
- At a minimum of every three years, employees will participate in an education program as part of an ongoing effort to prevent sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct within the University of Illinois community.
- Your campus's Equal Opportunity Office will coordinate this education program and they will work with your departments on scheduling it for your unit. You do not need to take any immediate action to register for this program.
- This education program will be available both online or via a classroom setting.
Three existing University policies have been updated and/or placed on the University of Illinois Human Resources website. I encourage you to review these policies too. They include:
- University of Illinois Statement on Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct
- Section 9.5-9.6 - Reporting Fraud or Misconduct, Whistleblower Protection, and Investigations
- Section 9.8 - Restrictions on Gifts to Employees
