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.
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.
Records Retention & Destruction
As an agency of the Commonwealth, university employees are subject to the records retention and disposition schedule as proscribed by the Library of Virginia. Depending on the type of record, there are specified lengths of time that a record must be maintained. After that period of time, there are compliance requirements for destroying the records, including documentation of records being destroyed and if confidential or non-confidential destruction is required.
University Archives provides authorization for and assistance with records management. OC&E and University Archives is planning university-wide Shred Events this summer to help ensure that records are properly retained and destroyed according to the schedule. Prepare for these events by consulting with University Archivist Ali Zawoyski, [[ajzawoyski]] early! More information about dates and locations will be announced in the Digest in the coming weeks.
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: [[compequity]]
- Freedom of Information Act: [[foia]]
- Report Concerns: [[reportconcern]]
- Fax: 757-221-1764
