{"id":940,"date":"2024-09-27T14:28:39","date_gmt":"2024-09-27T19:28:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/chancellor\/?p=940"},"modified":"2026-03-02T15:14:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T21:14:19","slug":"important-information-about-title-vi-protections-on-campus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/chancellor\/important-information-about-title-vi-protections-on-campus\/","title":{"rendered":"Important information about Title VI protections on campus\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dear UWM community,  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Title VI?\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a0updated guidance<\/a>\u202femphasizing that Title VI protection extends to those \u201cwho 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.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is this important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s protections extend beyond that.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UWM\u2019s commitment to Title VI\u202f\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

UWM has a policy to enforce Title VI on campus. The Discriminatory Conduct Policy<\/a> addresses discrimination in UWM\u2019s programs and activities and specifically includes ancestry, color, national origin, race and religion, among other protected characteristics.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/strong>\u202fAccording to the\u202fOCR, \u201cNothing 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.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to report Title VI issues\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you experience or witness discrimination covered by Title VI, here are two ways to report it:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n