By: E. Janyce Dawkins
Director, Equal Opportunity Office

Harassment! Discrimination! Respect! Equal Opportunity!

What do these terms really mean? We’ve heard them used so often. Maybe you’ve heard them in the news, at work, in class. Or maybe you’ve felt like you’ve been subjected to harassment or discrimination. Maybe you’ve had experiences where you felt as if you weren’t being respected or being given an equal opportunity. Well, for the University of Georgia (UGA), we want you to “Expect Respect”.  We want you to know that UGA and the Equal Opportunity Office (EOO) are committed to fostering a “fair and respectful environment for living, working, and studying.”  How do we accomplish this?

First, by having policies in place which prohibit harassment or discrimination. The University’s Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment (NDAH) Policy, prohibits harassment and discrimination based on race, color, sex, (including sexual harassment, sexual violence and pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Our policy also covers domestic and dating violence, and stalking.  Specifically, you have a right to be free of harassment and discrimination based on these protected categories in any University program or activity, even in your participation with our online community.

Harassment and discrimination does not necessarily need to occur in person, but also can occur through social media, texting, emails, etc. This may include, but is not limited to, sending threats or false accusations via email or mobile phone, making threatening or false posts on websites, or virtual stalking. I want you to know that as members of the university community, you have the same right to expect respect from your fellow students and instructors, as you would when on the Athens campus.

Hopefully, you and those you know within the university community never experience any harassment or discrimination in your time as a student. However, if you ever have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at 706-542-7912 or ugaeoo@uga.edu.  You are each valued members of the University community, and if you ever have any ideas about how the Equal Opportunity Office can better serve you as online students, or our community members generally, we are all ears.  Have a great day and please remember to always “Expect Respect.”