The Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs is charged with ensuring that the University meets its obligations as an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer and educational institution. 

The Office is responsible for implementing and advocating University policies, procedures, and priorities and helping realize its vision of a respectful, diverse and inclusive community. To fulfill its mission, the Office carries out a number of activities and services in collaboration with University administrators, faculty, staff and students. 

The Office works in close collaboration with the Division of Human Resources on issues related to equal opportunity, affirmative action and diversity for staff and applicants for employment. The Office also works in close collaboration with the Office of the Provost on issues related to increasing the diversity of Penn's faculty. 

The Office of Affirmative Action works in partnership with a number of other campus resource offices to support Penn's aims of becoming a more diverse community. Some of the activities and services provided include:

• Overseeing the implementation of the University’s affirmative action programs and equal opportunity policies and programs and advising members of the University community regarding Penn’s policies and programs that support its commitment to inclusion.

• Providing training, education, and information on issues related to equal opportunity, affirmative action and diversity to support Penn's commitment to an inclusive and supportive learning and working environment;

• Ensuring that the campus is accessible to people with disabilities, including consulting with faculty, staff, students, and visitors to the campus who have questions or need information about Penn’s policies or its provision of reasonable accommodations, including authorizing use of the Penn Accessible Transit for faculty and staff;

• Assisting in the resolution of allegations of discrimination or harassment by investigating complaints, providing technical assistance and support to other resource offices and departments as well as advising members of the community who have questions regarding the University's policies or procedures related to equal opportunity and affirmative action.