Principles, Policies, and Confidentiality

The Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion monitors and supports Mason’s commitments, as well as affirms a culture of integrity that values shared responsibility, as critical elements of an inclusive and diverse academic community.

Mason is committed to excellence and integrity in all its endeavors. The university’s reputation is one of its most valuable assets, and members of the community should not place personal interests above the best interests of the university; even the appearance of impropriety must be avoided.​

As a member of Mason Nation, you are expected to behave with diligence and professionalism and to comply with the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and fairness by being respectful of the rights of others, as well as protecting the privacy of confidential information, and complying with laws, rules, and regulations. 

These guidelines are critical to fulfilling our promise as a university and to the success of our students:

• Mason is committed to recruiting, admitting and enrolling undergraduate and graduate students from varying backgrounds and identities.
• The university is committed to recruiting, interviewing and hiring faculty, staff, and senior administrators from varying backgrounds and identities.
   
• Our governing and advisory bodies reflect the rich diversity of our community and the geographic region.
   
• Mason shares its commitment to diversity and inclusion with its local, national and international partners and seeks relationships with partners with the same values. Organizations with a proven record of leveraging diversity in their employment practices, delivery of products and services, and organizational philosophies are given strong consideration in competitive processes.
   
• Diversity is of vital importance to the university’s intellectual mission. Various perspectives inform Mason's curricular, co-curricular, and research endeavors, resulting in creative and innovative outcomes and help attract and retain individuals with diverse backgrounds. These activities give faculty and students an opportunity to engage in rigorous critical analysis of cultural, ethnic, racial and other related differences.
   
• The university holds its members accountable for sustaining an academic, work and social environment that values open communication, respectful interactions, and civility. We have a shared responsibility for the well-being of others.

Policies

• Non-Discrimination: Mason is committed to providing equal opportunity and an educational and work environment free from any discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status or genetic information.
• Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Other Interpersonal Violence: Each member of the university community is responsible for maintaining an academic and work environment free from sexual harassment, which is a form of gender discrimination. Sexual harassment, including same-sex sexual harassment, is illegal and will not be tolerated. The University will take whatever action necessary to prevent, stop, correct, or discipline harassing behavior.
• Non-Discrimination and Reasonable Accommodation on the Basis of Disability: Mason is committed to providing equal access to employment and educational opportunities for persons with disabilities. Mason recognizes that individuals with disabilities may need reasonable accommodations to have equally effective opportunities to participate in or benefit from university educational programs, services and activities, and to have equal employment opportunities.
• Consensual Relationships: Mason prohibits employees who have professional power relationships over students from having sexual or romantic relationships with their students. If an employee becomes involved in a sexual or romantic relationship with a student, or has had a past relationship with the student, the employee must immediately notify his or her supervisor.
• Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility: Mason requires that the procurement, development, maintenance, and/or implementation of electronic and information technology will conform to federal accessibility standards, appropriately tailored to the specific circumstances of the University.

Confidentiality

DEI takes any allegation of discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation seriously and is committed to protecting the integrity of the investigation process, including confidentiality and the due process rights of all individuals. Note that all those involved (the respondent, the complainant, and the witnesses) have privacy interests. Therefore, outside the scope of the investigation, all parties are cautioned not to publicize or divulge the nature of the proceedings, or the identity of those involved.