Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity

Affirmative Action

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Affirmative Action

Brown University is fully committed to the concept and practice of equal opportunity and affirmative action and actively engages an Affirmative Action Program (AAP) to audit its diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

An Affirmative Action Program is a compilation of procedures that are incorporated into the organization’s human resource policies, training programs, outreach efforts, and other affirmative action steps taken by covered employers to recruit and advance qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. One aspect of the program is the compilation of an Affirmative Action Plan.

An Affirmative Action Plan is a document that explains why people (i.e. minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans) should be included in affirmative action programs and what contractors' affirmative action obligations are pertaining to outreach and recruitment of these individuals. The Affirmative Action Plan is compiled in accordance with federal regulations applicable to federal contractors. These terms are used interchangeably. The University produces its Affirmative Action Plan for women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities on an annual basis. The AAP includes an analysis of the University’s workforce and outlines policies and actions for compliance with federal nondiscrimination regulations.

Our Work

The Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity (OIED) is responsible for overseeing equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, per the Corporation Policy Statement on Equal Opportunity, Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action.  

Additionally, OIED is responsible for management of the University's Affirmative Action programs. OIED works with other campus partners to ensure that good-faith efforts are undertaken to diversify the workforce and meet annual affirmative action goals, to monitor compliance with University policies and equal opportunity laws.

OIED also maintains active Affirmative Action Plans (minorities and women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities) within the office, which are available for in-person viewing during normal office hours. 

For further information about the AAP, please contact the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity at institutional_diversity@brown.edu or (401) 863-2216. 

Public data on the University’s employees is available on the website of the Office of Institutional Research.

Voluntary Self-Identification

As an employer committed to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, Brown University is obligated to invite applicants and employees to voluntarily identify their sex, race and ethnicity, veteran status, and disability. This information is used to measure against Brown’s: 

  • Aim to be a fully representative and inclusive organization that provides equal employment opportunities
  • Annual affirmative action goals
  • Hiring benchmark for protected veterans
  • Utilization (or employment) goal for Individuals with Disabilities

Resources