Section 1: Policy Statement
The University of Tennessee College of Law (College of Law) strictly adheres to a policy of nondiscrimination. Specifically, the College of Law prohibits the use of admission policies or other actions to preclude admission of applicants or retention of students on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, or military status. Consistent with this, the College of Law likewise fosters and maintains equality of opportunity for students, faculty, and staff, without discrimination or segregation on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, or military status.
Section 2: Reason for the Policy
This policy embodies important professional ideals of the College of Law, as well as the legal profession more broadly, and is appropriately required by the American Bar Association’s (ABA) accreditation standards. (See ABA Standards 205(a) & (b).)
Section 3: Scope, Application, and Procedures
The scope of the College of Law’s Nondiscrimination Policy is consistent with ABA Standards 205(a), (b) and the University’s nondiscrimination policies, as interpreted and applied. Although this policy is applicable only to the College of Law, the enforcement procedures, including the reporting and treatment of alleged violations, will be administered through the existing University policies and practices regarding alleged violations of the University’s nondiscrimination policies.
Section 4: Campus Responsible Official & Additional Contacts
Nothing in this policy alters the University officials already responsible for enforcing compliance with nondiscrimination measures at either the College of Law or the University. Thus, consistent with current University policies, requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the Office of Equity and Diversity. Likewise, inquiries and potential charges under this policy for alleged acts of discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, or military status should be directed to the Office of Investigation and Resolution. The contact information for both offices are listed below.
Office of Equity & Diversity
1840 Melrose Avenue
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996
Phone: 865-974-2498
Email: oed@utk.edu
Office of Investigation and Resolution
2450 E J. Chapman Drive – 216 Business Incubator Building
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996
Phone: (865) 974-0717
Email: investigations@utk.edu
Section 5: Policy History
Proposed on November 8, 2023; Approved by College of Law Faculty on November 10, 2023; Approved by Dean, College of Law on November 10, 2023.
The University of Tennessee Knoxville’s Nondiscrimination Policy can be found here.