University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Report an Incident

Definitions

Title VI Misconduct includes discrimination, harassment and related retaliation on the basis of race, color, and national origin, including shared ancestry and ethnic characteristics.

Affected Individuals

Affected Individuals means both people who are directly (Complainants) and indirectly affected by conduct, while participating in a university program or activity, that could constitute Title VI Misconduct under the Nondiscrimination Policy.

Color

Color means a person’s skin pigmentation, complexion, shade, or tone.

Hostile Environment Analysis

Hostile Environment Analysis means an inquiry to determine whether, based on the totality of the circumstances, the conduct is unwelcome; is based on race, color, or national origin including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics; is subjectively and objectively offensive; and so severe or pervasive that it limits or denies a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from the university’s education program or activity.

National Origin

National Origin means a place where an individual or their ancestors are from and any shared physical, cultural, or linguistic characteristics of that place. Protections against national origin discrimination extend to individuals who experience discrimination, including harassment or related retaliation, based on an individual’s actual or perceived: (i) shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, or (ii) citizenship or residency in a country with a dominant religion or distinct religious identity. This includes individuals who are or who are perceived to be Arab, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Israeli, Jewish, Muslim, Palestinian, Sikh, South Asian, or any other faith or ancestry, when the discrimination is based on their shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics. National origin discrimination does not include discrimination based solely on religion. Discrimination based on national origin may include ethnic or ancestral slurs or stereotypes; harassment based on how individuals look or dress in ways linked to ethnicity or ancestry (e.g., skin color, religious attire); and discrimination based on language associated with a shared ancestry, including an individual’s accent or name.

Race

Race means a person’s actual or perceived race, or association with a person of a certain race. Race is a social construct used to divide people into generalized groups based on physical appearance and/or physical characteristics (such as hair texture, skin color, or certain facial features).

Shared Ancestry

Shared Ancestry means a component of National Origin, as described above.

Supportive Measures

Supportive Measures are any reasonable measures designed to restore or preserve equal access to a university program or activity.

Title VI Misconduct

Title VI Misconduct means discrimination, harassment, or related retaliation on the basis of race, color, or national origin including shared ancestry and ethnic characteristics.

Consideration for free speech and academic freedom

Free speech and academic freedom are foundational to our university’s missions of discovery and exploration. Questioning ideas, posing alternative opinions, and presenting different perspectives is how we create knowledge and help everyone to have more meaningful engagement with the world around them. The manner in which those freedoms are expressed is not unlimited and expressive conduct must still comply with applicable laws and university policies.