Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in any federally funded program or activity. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), has interpreted Title VI’s protection from discrimination on the basis of national origin to extend to students who experience discrimination, including harassment, based on their actual or perceived shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics. The University of Tennessee receives federal funding, and as such, the University has a structure in place to ensure Title VI compliance.
Title VI Commitment
The University of Tennessee is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and nondiscriminatory learning, living, and working environment. The University’s Title VI commitment includes five central elements:
- Policy: Campus policies and procedures are in place to prohibit Title VI discrimination and promote campus compliance.
- Training: Routine training communicates expectations for conduct and campus reporting obligations.
- Response: Responses may include intake review, investigation, and/or other steps to assess and eliminate discriminatory conduct or any hostile environment.
- Support: Contact OIR for information about accessing confidential or non-confidential support, requesting interim measures, or learning more about Title VI rights and responsibilities.
- Remediation: The campus is committed to taking action to prevent the recurrence of discriminatory conduct and address its effects on members of the campus community.
RELATED CAMPUS POLICY
The University of Tennessee System adopted General Policy 0005 (GE0005), Antidiscrimination Policy Implementing Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-50-1802, to implement state law prohibiting antisemitic harassment and discrimination in University of Tennessee programs and to require University employees to report complaints of antisemitic harassment or discrimination to the campus Title VI Coordinator.
In summary, GE0005:
- protects students and employees from antisemitic harassment or discrimination (in the same manner in which they are protected from other types of discrimination under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964);
- defines “antisemitism” in accordance with the working definition of antisemitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA);
- requires the campus to designate a Title VI Coordinator;
- requires all University employees to report complaints of antisemitic harassment or discrimination to the campus Title VI Coordinator; and
- requires the UT System Title VI Coordinator to issue an annual report to the state Attorney General and Reporter and the General Assembly.
Please see the policy for complete details.
Also See: Fair Employment Practices & Other Discrimination/Harassment Prohibitions
HR0220: Equal Employment Opportunity
HR0280: Sexual Harassment & Other Discriminatory Harassment
Policy on Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Dating and Domestic Violence, and Stalking
UTK Student Code of Conduct
Michelle Buck, Office of Investigation & Resolution
- Denial of admission on the basis of race, color, or national origin
- Denial of academic or student support services on the basis of race, color, or national origin
- Denial of scholarships or other financial aid on the basis of race, color, or national origin
- Denial of any services, or other benefits for which individuals are otherwise qualified, on the basis of race, color, or national origin
As of July 1, 2025, you may submit a Title VI complaint to the Tennessee Department of Human Resources (DOHR) within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory act.
You may also submit a Title VI complaint to the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
