Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity

Policy number: 3.1

Policy section: Access & Equity

Revised Date: August 4, 2025

1.  Policy Statement

The University will not discriminate in any employment practice, educational program, or educational activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. The University’s commitment to equal opportunity includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. These groups may be referred to as protected classes. This policy applies to students, faculty, staff, applicants, all other members of the University community, and visitors.

2.  Purpose

This policy is intended to promote and ensure equality of access and opportunity to the University’s educational and employment programs. 

3.  Discrimination Complaints and Reports

  1. The Office of Institutional Access and Equity has been designated to handle inquiries, complaints and reports regarding the Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy.
  2. Any person that has a complaint of discrimination or harassment based on a protected class in any employment practice, educational program, or educational activity is encouraged to file a complaint by completing and submitting a Discrimination Complaint Form to the Office of Institutional Access and Equity. The Office will investigate the matter to determine if this policy has been violated. Please refer to University Policy 3.3, Title IX Harassment, for filing complaints of sexual harassment including sexual assault and sexual violence.
  3. Any member of the University community that becomes aware of a potential violation of the Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy is obligated to promptly report the potential violation to the Office of Institutional Access and Equity.
  4. The University reserves the right to review and investigate potential violations of University policy whether through the filing of a complaint or otherwise at its sole discretion.
  5. The University considers complaints of discrimination and harassment, their investigation, and related proceedings to be confidential. The University will use its best efforts not to disseminate information concerning an allegation beyond those necessary for its investigation and handling by the University. Release of confidential information to the public will be authorized only by the President or their designee.

4.  Prohibition of Retaliation 

Retaliation is a separate violation of the Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy. University policy prohibits any member of the University community – students, faculty, staff or visitors – from retaliating in any way against a person that has raised allegations of discrimination or harassment based upon a protected class. It is a violation of this policy to retaliate against any person who has exercised the right to file a complaint or report of discrimination or harassment, used any of the processes provided by SMU, cooperated with an investigation, or testified or otherwise offered evidence connected to a complaint. A complaint’s actual or perceived lack of merit does not excuse retaliatory conduct.

5.  Questions and Contact

The Office of Institutional Access and Equity may be contacted at 214-768-3601 or by e-mail at accessequity@smu.edu. For more information about the Office, please visit .

Revised: August 4, 2025

Adopted: June 1, 1994

The official University Policy Manual is housed in the Office of the University Secretary. The University Secretary is responsible for maintaining new and updated policies and for maintaining this website. Should the official University Policy Manual conflict with any internal policies, procedures, departmental administrative rules, or guidelines, that may be contained in manuals provided by schools, departments, or divisions within the University, the official University Policy Manual controls.