Please click on each of the questions to reveal the answers. (Note: In all sections below "Equal Opportunity & Title IX" has been abbreviated to "EO/TIX" for the sake of brevity.)

1 - What are the differences between Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action?

Equal Opportunity refers to employment or educational practices that ensure there is nondiscrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, gender expression, gender identity, genetic info, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law.

Affirmative Action is one aspect of efforts to ensure equal opportunity. The purpose of affirmative action programs is to promote fairness and address the effects of past discrimination by encouraging, among other things, targeted outreach efforts to attract underutilized minorities and women.

2 - What are the differences between a Complainant and a Respondent?

Complainant means an individual or group of individuals who may have been subjected to prohibited discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or sexual misconduct, regardless of whether the individual reports the conduct.

Respondent means an individual or group of individuals identified as allegedly having engaged in prohibited discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or sexual misconduct, regardless of whether a formal complaint is made.

3 - What is the role of EO/TIX at the University of North Texas?
EO/TIX is the primary office at the University of North Texas responsible for enforcing the University's equal opportunity policies and for investigating complaints of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and sexual misconduct (state and federal). EO/TIX is responsible for advancing and monitoring the University’s affirmative action plan and, as part of our efforts to attract underutilized minorities, EO/TIX reviews all faculty employment searches. EO/TIX also provides guidance to University managers and supervisors on matters related to protected status.
4 -What types of training does EO/TIX offer, and when is the training available?

EO/TIX offers online and in-person training on all University policies related to equal opportunity and discrimination. Currently, EO/TIX offers modules online as well as in-person. The subject matter of the training is detailed below:

  • Preventing Discrimination and Harassment (online/in-person)
  • Preventing Sexual Misconduct (online/in-person)
  • General EEO Principles (online/in-person)
  • Faculty Search Committee Training (in-person)

Other types of training are generally by request, and in consultation with supervisors or managers of units wishing to receive training. If you would like to request training for your unit, please provide detailed information on the EO/TIX training request form. Additional information regarding EO/TIX trainings can be found by clicking here.

5 - How do I know if I have an EO/TIX complaint?

If you feel that you have been discriminated against or harassed based on membership in a protected class (race, sex, religion, etc.), retaliated against based on a protected activity (filing a complaint, participating in a complaint investigation, etc.), or have been the subject of sexual misconduct (sexual harassment, stalking, dating or domestic violence, etc.) you may have a legitimate complaint. In such instances you should provide EO & Title IX with a completed report to initiate a review of your concerns by EO/TIX.

6 - What types of complaints does EO/TIX investigate?

EO/TIX investigates complaints of violations for the following policies:

Animals on Campus Grounds (Policy 04.026)
The University of North Texas is committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors by managing the presence of animals on university property and in its facilities, while providing people with disabilities who use service and comfort animals the opportunity to receive the benefit of the tasks these animals provide or the therapeutic support they offer in accordance with the requirements of federal law.

Employment of Individuals with Disabilities/ Workplace Accommodations (Policy 05.011)*
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to the University’s employment opportunities.

Consensual Relationships (Policy 05.021)
It is the policy of the University that consensual relationships between faculty or staff members in positions of authority and their subordinates or their students are not permitted.

Disability Accommodation for Students and Academic Units Policy (Policy 16.001)*
In accordance with university policies and state and federal regulations, the university is committed to full academic access for all qualified students, including those with disabilities. To this end, all academic units are willing to make reasonable and appropriate adjustments to the classroom environment and the teaching, testing, or learning methodologies in order to facilitate equality of educational access for persons with disabilities.
 

Prohibition of Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation (Policy 16.004)
The purpose of this policy is to ensure the University's working and learning environments are free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of protected status, to prohibit retaliation, and to ensure equal employment and education opportunity for all members of the University community.

Prohibition Against Sexual Misconduct and Retaliation (Policy 16.005)
The purpose of this policy is to ensure an environment free of unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that impacts the ability of others to benefit from the University’s employment or educational opportunities.

 

*EO/TIX investigates formal complaints of discrimination on the basis of disability status. However, there are two other offices at the University of North Texas that handle the process for obtaining a reasonable accommodation due to the presence of a disability.

7 - I am employed by a UNT campus other than Denton; can EO/TIX at UNT Denton help me?

EO/TIX serves the University of North Texas in Denton. Members of other UNT system components may contact the Human Resources support center at 1-855-878-7650, or by email.

If you are a student or employee of the UNT Denton campus who feels discriminated against or harassed, please contact EO/TIX by filling out one of our online reporting forms, emailing us at OEOTIX@unt.edu, or calling us at 940-565-2759.

8 - If I make a report or file a complaint, is it confidential?

If a report or complaint is filed with EO/TIX then we will keep the matter private to the extent possible. In certain circumstances, even if the complainant requests that a report not be pursued, EO/TIX will evaluate that request and may not be able to maintain confidentiality because the nature of the complaint is such that EO/TIX must take investigative action.

The University has offered specific guidance regarding confidentiality in sexual assault investigations. Please consult the Prohibition Against Sexual Misconduct and Retaliation Policy (16.005) for further information.

9 - What are the federal laws prohibiting discrimination?
  • Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities which receive federal financial assistance.
  • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.
  • Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA), which protects men and women who perform substantially equal work in the same establishment from sex-based wage discrimination.
  • Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), which protects individuals who are 40 years of age or older.
  • Title I and Title V of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended (ADA), which prohibit employment discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in the private sector, and in state and local governments.
  • Sections 501 and 505 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities who work in the federal government.
  • Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal assistance.
10 - I'm a supervisor. What should I do if I learn of an incident informally (i.e. workplace or classroom rumors)?

As a supervisor, if you learn about an incident of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or sexual misconduct from a member of the University community (including visitors) you are required to immediately report the information to our office. EO/TIX can then determine the most appropriate response depending on the nature of the information you have reported.

11 - What should I do if I witness inappropriate conduct?

Students who witness incidents or discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or sexual misconduct, or become aware of such behavior, are strongly encouraged to report the behavior to EO/TIX. The University of North Texas is committed to the elimination and prevention of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and sexual misconduct on our campus, and therefore seeks the assistance of students to report such incidents.

Staff, faculty, administrators, teaching assistants, graduate assistants, research assistants, and other designated University representatives are required to report to EO/TIX all incidents of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and sexual misconduct that are brought to their attention by others, reported directly to them, or witnessed by them.

12 - What happens when I file a complaint?

To initiate a complaint, please complete one of our online inquiry forms. An investigator from our office will contact you and set up a time to meet with you to discuss the nature of your complaint and any concerns you may have that could require an interim measure. If EO/TIX determines that you have a viable complaint of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or sexual misconduct, the investigator will proceed with interviewing witnesses and respondents in your case. The final determination of your complaint will be shared with you in an Investigative Report. For more information regarding EO/TIX's investigative process please download Resolution Procedures for Complaints of Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation, or Sexual Misconduct.

13 - I've been asked to attend a meeting with EO/TIX for an investigation, should I get a lawyer?

If a Complainant or Respondent desires, they may be accompanied to an investigatory meeting by an advisor of their choice. Complainants and Respondents are required to notify EO/TIX of the name and position of the advisor who will accompany them no later than two full days in advance of any scheduled meetings. Witnesses in the investigation cannot serve as advisors. The Complainant and Respondent are expected to ask and respond to questions on their own behalf, without representation by their advisor. EO/TIX may consider a refusal to answer a question in reaching a determination on an alleged policy violation. The advisor shall not engage in the use of verbal or non-verbal cues or speak on behalf of the parties.

14 - What happens at the conclusion of an EO/TIX investigation?

When EO/TIX has concluded its investigation, the Complainant and Respondent will receive written notification and a copy of the final Investigative Report. In addition, if the Respondent is employed by UNT a copy of the Investigative Report will be provided to the Respondent’s supervisor and to the supervisor of the academic or administrative unit which employs the Respondent. These individuals are directly responsible for implementing measures to correct and prevent discriminatory or retaliatory conditions.

15 - What is a Title IX Coordinator and how do I contact them?

The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the University’s efforts to comply with the federal law: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including, but not limited to sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual violence, and different treatment on the basis of sex. If you have any questions regarding Title IX or would like to file a complaint involving sexual misconduct please contact UNT’s Title IX Coordinator here.