Skip to main content
Compliance & Equity
Fostering a Culture of Compliance & Equity
The Office of Compliance & Equity provides central support for ensuring the university’s commitment to a culture of compliance and ethics and the university’s responsibility to foster equitable working and learning environments. Under William & Mary’s Code of Ethics, all members of the university share the responsibility for maintaining an environment of accountability and integrity.
-
Compliance
We provide guidance for complying with federal and state regulations and university policy, monitor decentralized compliance areas, and respond to individual questions or concerns. Explore topics such as the Clery Act, FOIA and conflicts of interest.
-
Equity
We receive reports of discrimination and harassment by members of the university community and conduct fair, equitable and prompt investigations of formal complaints. Explore topics including Title IX, discrimination and accessibility.
-
Policy Library
We publish whole-university policies and procedures, assists leadership with development of new policies, and ensure cyclical review of existing policies by department owners. Search or browse the policy library by topic.
-
Consumer Information
The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) requires colleges and universities that participate in federal student financial aid programs to disclose certain information to current and prospective students, and to university employees.
Constitution Day - September 17
Constitution Day is Thursday, September 17, 2026! This day commemorates the September 17, 1787 signing of the United States Constitution by the founders. The university celebrates Constitution Day with an event for students in the Sadler Center from 11:00 - 12:30 to participate in handwriting a copy of the Constitution. Free copies of the Constitution are also being given to students.
Do you know which three delegates to the Continental Congress dissented and did not sign the Constitution? The National Constitution Center also has additional resources, videos and podcasts about this historical event and important document.
Youth Protection Awareness
William & Mary is committed to the protection of minors participating in on-campus programs and activities all of kinds. Programs supervisors must register day and overnight programs with the Office of Compliance & Equity annually. Any adult working a camp, hosting a program or overseeing an internship with participants that are under 18 years of age must be trained annually and submit to a background check. Please contact OC&E for more information about compliance with university policy.
Report Concerns
We encourage reports of any type of discrimination, harassment or stereotyping of individuals or groups on our campuses or in our community. While not all reports of conduct may be actionable or require investigation, knowing about concerns impacting members of our community is important. Having more information about potential discriminatory conduct allows us to stop misconduct before it creates a hostile environment, and better target education and awareness to departments, organizations, or individuals where there are concerns of intolerance or discrimination.
Quick Links
-
FOIA
Citizens of the Commonwealth and representatives of the media can access public records of the university.
-
Clery Act
The Clery Act requires universities to report campus crime data, support victims of violence, and publicly outline the policies and procedures they have put into place to improve campus safety.
-
Title IX
Federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex or gender of employees and students of educational institutions that receive federal financial assistance.
-
Accessibility at W&M
Equal access and full participation for all individuals with disabilities within all University programs and activities.
-
Discrimination & Harassment
Disparate treatment, disparate impact or the creation of a hostile environment in the workplace or classroom based on an individual’s belonging to a protected class.
-
Code of Ethics
Adopted by the Board of Visitors on November 22, 2019, the Code of Ethics applies to all members of the community at William & Mary and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.
Contact Information
Office of Compliance & Equity
Contact Us
- General Inquiries or Report Concerns: [[compequity]]
- Freedom of Information Act: [[foia]]