A new online training program aimed at creating a more inclusive campus community will become available to University of Michigan faculty and staff in 2025.
The training, which will consist of two modules, is being developed to promote a shared understanding of what constitutes discrimination and discriminatory harassment, and to offer tools to recognize and prevent such behavior.
The first module will cover SPG 201.89-1 Discrimination and Harassment. It will become available next year after both the university’s policy and training content are reviewed and approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
The module will meet the university’s training obligations under its resolution agreement with the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. It will cover protections under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and university policies that help safeguard against discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin, actual or perceived shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, age, marital status, disability, religion, height, weight, veteran’s status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
“We are committed to building a campus environment that is free from discrimination and harassment,” said Rich Holcomb, associate vice president for human resources. “To achieve this, it is critical that we all have a common understanding of what constitutes discrimination, how to recognize it and how to prevent it.”
The second module will address the role of bias in discrimination and will focus on understanding how types of biases affect behavior.
Holcomb said similar training will be developed for U-M students. The goal is to help develop awareness and fundamental skills to identify, challenge and reduce discrimination.
More information will be available in 2025 after the first module is completed and approved for distribution. In the meantime, members of the campus community can contact the Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office with questions.
