The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences abhors and condemns all forms of bigotry and racism. Such behavior is a violation of an individual’s human rights and is also unlawful. UAMS will comply with and enforce Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), Executive Order 11246, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Sections 503 and 504), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1991, U.S. Federal Court Decree in the Adams Cases of 1973 and Acts 99 and 962 of the Arkansas General Assembly. UAMS shall recruit, retain, promote and graduate students without regard to race, color, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or disability status. Specifically, UAMS will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or disability status as a criterion in deciding against any individual in matters of admission, placement, transfer, hiring, dismissal, compensation, fringe benefits, training, tuition assistance, and other personnel or educationally-related actions. Therefore, the policy of UAMS is that members of the University community neither commit nor condone acts of bigotry, racism, or discrimination. Actions on the part of any employee or official of the University contrary to this policy will be addressed promptly and appropriately, according to current UAMS disciplinary procedures. The Office of Human Relations acts on a campus-wide basis for all students, faculty, and employees regarding such matters and within each college or school, there is an associate or assistant dean designated to assist students of that college in utilizing a special grievance procedure.
A student having a complaint concerning terms and conditions of their student status or experience with UAMS is encouraged to present this matter to and discuss it with, the person in charge of that part of the university where the issue arises (e.g. Course Director, Department Chair, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, etc.). Such presentation and discussion shall be entirely informal. The person in charge shall attempt to resolve the complaint. A complaint may, but need not, become a grievance.
However, if informal dialog does not resolve the issue, and the student believes that he or she has encountered a policy, procedure, or practice that constitutes discrimination, he or she should contact the Assistant Dean for Administration within the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, who is specifically designated to assist students in the matter of filing a grievance through the UAMS Student Grievance Procedures process (Academic Matters 2.400, accessed at http://academicaffairs.uams.edu/policy-search/)
Additional information can be found at the HR website.