Policy Statements

The University of California, San Diego is dedicated to fostering an environment of equity, accessibility, and mutual respect. This page serves as the central hub for official university statements and policies that govern our community standards and ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.

These documents outline our commitment to protecting the rights of all students, faculty, and staff, while providing clear guidance on reporting procedures and available resources. We encourage all members of the campus community to familiarize themselves with these statements to help maintain a safe and inclusive environment for learning and discovery.

Nondiscrimination Policy Statement

The University of California, in accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy,¹ physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or service in the uniformed services.² The University also prohibits sexual harassment. This nondiscrimination policy covers admission, access, and treatment in University programs and activities.

Responsible Employee Statement:
All supervisory employees must report student incidents of unlawful discrimination and harassment to OPHD. Certain nonsupervisory employees may also have a reporting obligation if deemed a “responsible employee.” In all cases, nonsupervisory employees are strongly encouraged to report bias-related incidents to OPHD or to a supervisor.

Inquiries regarding the University's student-related nondiscrimination policies may be directed to:

Michael S. Diaz
Director and Title IX Officer, Office for the Prevention of Harassment & Discrimination
Pepper Canyon Hall, Fourth Floor
9500 Gilman Dr. # 0024
La Jolla, CA 92093-0024
(858) 534-8298

The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) recognizes its obligation to provide program accessibility (as described in Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) for persons with disabilities. For information as to the existence and location of services, activities, and facilities that are accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities, contact:

Alysson Satterlund
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Sec. 504 Coordinator - Students
Bldg. 112 University Centers, UCSD
9500 Gilman Dr. # 0015
La Jolla, CA 92093-0015
(858) 534-4370

Sec. 504 Coordinator - Staff
La Jolla, CA 92093-0007

Elizabeth Simmons
Executive Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs
Sec. 504 Coordinator - Faculty
Bldg. 105 University Centers, UCSD
9500 Gilman Dr. # 0001
La Jolla, CA 92093-0001
(858) 534-3130

Alexandra Galarza (Interim)
Director, DisAbility Counseling and Consulting
ADA Coordinator
Torrey Pines Center North, Suite 255
9500 Gilman Dr. # 0944
La Jolla, CA 92093-0944
(858) 761-5907

¹ Pregnancy includes pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth.

Service in the uniformed services includes membership, application for membership, performance of service, application for service, or obligation for service in the uniformed services.

Gender Recognition and Lived Name Statement

The UC Presidential Policy on Gender Recognition and Lived Name states that “The University must provide the minimum three equally recognized gender options on university-issued documents and IT Resource systems — woman, man and nonbinary and an efficient process for current students and employees and UC alumni and affiliates to retroactively amend their gender designations and lived names on university-issued documents, including eligible academic documents, and in IT Resource systems. The legal name of university students, employees, alumni and affiliates, if different than the individual’s lived name, must be kept confidential and must not be published on documents or displayed in IT Resource systems that do not require a person’s legal name.”

Generally, documents that the University provides to the federal government or in conjunction with a person's Social Security Number require the use of a legal name. This may include, but is not limited to the following:

Financial aid documents
Payroll records
Medical identification and records
Federal immigration documents
Tax forms (e.g., W2, 1095C, 1099)

For more information about UC San Diego’s implementation of this policy, please go to the Frequently Asked Questions and Answers at https://diversity.ucsd.edu/initiatives/gender-recognition.html.

If a system does not allow you to have nonbinary gender option, or a university community member does not recognize your gender identity or lived name, or does not keep confidential your legal name, or publishes your legal name on documents, or displays your legal name in IT Resource systems that do not require your legal name, or, please report it at https://ophd.ucsd.edu/report-bias/index.html

Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Statement

The UC Policy of Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment ("SVSH") applies to all University employees as well as undergraduate, graduate, and professional students (“students”), and third parties. The Policy states:

"The University of California (“University”) is committed to maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence, where all people who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in an atmosphere free of harassment, exploitation, or intimidation.

Sexual violence, sexual harassment, retaliation, and other behavior prohibited by this Policy interfere with those goals. The University will respond promptly and effectively to reports of such conduct. This includes action to stop, prevent, correct, and when necessary, discipline, behavior that violates this Policy.

This Policy addresses the University’s responsibilities and procedures related to sexual violence, sexual harassment, retaliation, and other prohibited behavior as those terms are defined in this Policy (together, “Prohibited Conduct”) in order to ensure an equitable and inclusive education and employment environment. The Policy defines Prohibited Conduct and explains the administrative procedures the University uses to resolve reports of Prohibited Conduct."

To report an incident that may violate the SVSH policy, please complete our online report form or email us at ophd@ucsd.edu

Note that Responsible Employees are not confidential resources and are required to report any disclosures of sexual violence, sexual harassment, or other prohibited behavior involving students.

For confidential assistance, CARE at SARC is an independent campus resource that provides advocacy for individuals impacted by sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking. In the event of an emergency, please call 911 for UC Police.