Affirmative Action Policy Statement

The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. Men and women of different races, religions, nationalities, and backgrounds are necessary to achieve the University's ultimate purpose: the improvement of the human condition through the pursuit of learning. Diversity is prized at Penn because it helps to create the educational environment that best prepares students to contribute to an increasingly diverse and rapidly shrinking world. We have a clear commitment to affirmative action. We must continue, therefore, to seek talented faculty, students, and staff who will help constitute a community at Penn that is diverse in race, ethnicity, interests, and perspectives.

Penn is committed to ensuring that all educational programs and personnel actions including application, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, transfer, layoffs, training, tuition assistance, and social and recreational programs are administered without regard to race, color, sex (except where sex is a bona fide occupational qualification), sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin, age (except where age is a bona fide occupational qualification), disability, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam Era. The University's policy is applicable to faculty and other employees, applicants for faculty positions and other employment, and applicants to educational programs and activities. This policy is fundamental to the effective functioning of the University as an institution of teaching, scholarship, and public service.

Simple absence of discrimination is not sufficient. Our task is to work to eliminate all patterns of unequal treatment. The University's policies are dedicated to the full realization of equal opportunity for all through affirmative action predicated on the following tenets: (1) serious and imaginative recruitment methods; (2) ongoing administrative reviews of hiring practices; (3) frequent affirmative action analyses of faculty, staff, and student units to determine "challenge areas"; (4) direct and firm responses to units identified as having undesirable affirmative action practices; and (5) professional development training.

The University has written affirmative action programs for women, minorities, handicapped persons, and Vietnam Era veterans. Penn's equal opportunity and affirmative action policies are monitored by the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs (OAAEOP). Questions and concerns regarding these policies should be directed to the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs, Suite 228, Sansom Place East, 3600 Chestnut Street/ 6106, 898-6993.

(Source: Office of Human Resources)

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