Each member of the George Mason community is tasked with behaving diligently and professionally in adhering to the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and fairness. We do this by being respectful of the rights of others as well as protecting the privacy of confidential information and complying with laws, rules, and regulations.
The Office of Access, Compliance, and Community monitors and supports George Mason’s commitments to all-inclusive diversity and equal access to opportunity and affirms a culture of integrity that values shared responsibility as a critical element of an inclusive and diverse academic community.
George Mason prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment and seeks to provide equal opportunity for all students and employees (including applicants for employment), regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The Office of Access, Compliance, and Community is responsible for receiving notice of and responding to concerns of unlawful discrimination and harassment in violation of federal or state law, and/or University policy. Access Services are comprised of George Mason’s Title IX, Equal Opportunity, and Accessibility teams, including the Assistive Technology Initiative.
Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs or activities for institutions that receive federal funding (e.g., federal grants, student loans, etc.). Title IX specifically prohibits sexual harassment, which includes hostile environment and quid pro quo sexual harassment, gender-based stalking, dating/domestic violence, sexual assault, and retaliation. To oversee and manage George Mason’s responsibilities under Title IX, OACC houses the Title IX Coordinator and other staff dedicated to preserving individual’s access to George Mason’s education programs and activities. George Mason takes sexual and interpersonal misconduct seriously, and its commitment to providing an inclusive, safe, and welcoming environment includes protected statuses beyond biological sex, such as gender identity, sexual orientation, and gender expression. For more information, see University Policy 1202: Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct and Other Forms of Prohibited Conduct.
Equal Opportunity
Title VII: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal funding, while Title VII prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. To illustrate George Mason’s commitment to providing equal opportunity and an educational and work environment free from any unlawful discrimination, the University prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. The Equal Opportunity Unit within OACC is responsible for addressing concerns of prohibited discrimination across the institution. For more information, see University Policy 1201: Non-Discrimination.
Accessibility and ADA
George Mason University provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for people of all abilities. Led by the ADA Coordinator, OACC provides workplace accommodations for employees, applicants for employment, and visitors with disabilities in accordance with University Policy 1203: Non-Discrimination and Reasonable Accommodation on the Basis of Disability. The ADA and Accessibility Unit also provides support for physical accessibility concerns on campus, and provides digital accessibility services through the Assistive Technology Initiative: an office specializing in providing equivalent access to all Information and Communications Technology (ICT) resources at all George Mason campuses.
Requests for Religious Accommodations
In accordance with federal and state guidance, George Mason has created a procedure for employees, students, and campus visitors to request accommodations where their religious beliefs may come into conflict with an existing policy or requirement at the university. Through the Religious Accommodations Coordinator, OACC is responsible for engaging individuals in the interactive assessment process and helping determine reasonable accommodations that address the individual’s religious beliefs without questioning their sincerity. For more information, see University Policy 1205: Reasonable Accommodation on the Basis of Religion.