Dear UWM community,
We recognize that the tragic conflict in the Middle East is a source of pain, sorrow and distress for many in our community. As we near the one-year mark of this ongoing crisis, we understand and respect that various groups may want to use that time to reflect on the events of the past year. In doing that, we ask that all members of the UWM community remain mindful of our shared commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment on campus.
Please review this important information about Title VI, how it applies to our campus community and affirms the expectations we have for how we treat one another.
What is Title VI?
Title VI is part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and protects people from discrimination based on their race, color, or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance, including higher education institutions like UWM. In May 2024, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued updated guidance emphasizing that Title VI protection extends to those “who are or are perceived because of their shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics to be Jewish, Israeli, Muslim, Arab, Sikh, South Asian, Hindu, Palestinian, or any other faith or ancestry.”
Why is this important?
Title VI has been in the news over the past several months related to the protests, demonstrations and other activities on college campuses in response to the events of Oct. 7, 2023, and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. While the focus in recent months has involved incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia, Title VI’s protections extend beyond that.
UWM’s commitment to Title VI
UWM has a policy to enforce Title VI on campus. The Discriminatory Conduct Policy addresses discrimination in UWM’s programs and activities and specifically includes ancestry, color, national origin, race and religion, among other protected characteristics.
While UWM can investigate and/or review complaints and reports for possible action, Title VI does not allow UWM to sanction constitutionally protected speech, even when that speech is considered to be offensive or hateful. According to the OCR, “Nothing in Title VI or regulations implementing it requires or authorizes a school to restrict any rights otherwise protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.”
How to report Title VI issues
If you experience or witness discrimination covered by Title VI, here are two ways to report it:
- Formal complaint: If you have a complaint of discrimination under Title VI, please contact UWM’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights. The steps involved in a discrimination complaint investigation can be found on this Free Speech, Rights and Limits webpage.
- Hate/Bias Incident Report: If you’re unsure whether an incident rises to the level of a formal complaint but wish to report it, you can file a Hate/Bias Incident report. UWM will review the report to determine if it meets the threshold for a Title VI complaint and/or whether other responsive action is appropriate.
Employees who witness or otherwise learn of any potential Title VI violation at UWM are not legally obligated to report such incidents but are encouraged to report them so the university can determine whether an investigation or other responsive action is necessary.
For more information about Title VI and our policies, or if you need to file a report, please reach out to our Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for helping to ensure that UWM remains a place where all members of our campus community are valued and respected.