Culture of Care
The University of Florida prohibits discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, gender transition status, sex- or gender-stereotyping, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, or protected veterans. As such, the University strives to protect students, employees, and visitors from any form of sexual misconduct or gender-based harassment, including Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Exploitation, Stalking/Cyberstalking, Pregnancy Discrimination, and associated Retaliatory Actions. Regardless of what is defined as misbehavior that falls within the scope and definitions outlined by the Department of Education’s new Final Rule as a “Title IX violation”, we will continue to address sexual misconduct and strive to eliminate any instance of it through a multi-various approach of sexual misconduct prevention education, healthy relationship modeling, and alcohol education in order to prevent harm from occurring, along with a multitude of support options offered if misconduct occurs. The University of Florida has zero-tolerance for sexual discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic abuse, or stalking.
At the Office for Accessibility and Gender Equity, we want to reiterate our unwavering commitment to ensuring equal access to University programs and activities as well as our commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion based on sex, including sexual orientation and gender identity.
Our office provides a number of gender equity-related activities; these include providing consultation, education, and training workshops; along with helping to ensure the university responds appropriately, effectively, and equitably to issues of sexual-based misconduct or relationship violence.
We look forward to helping create a culture of care for you and all others in our Gator Nation community!
Russell Froman, Esq., Ed.D.
Assistant Vice President for Accessibility and Gender Equity
ADA and Title IX Coordinator
(352) 273-1094 | rfroman@ufl.edu
Our Diversity Statement
We commit to courageous action, doing our best to cultivate an inclusive environment for ourselves, our office, the University of Florida, and higher education.
We commit to opening our eyes and ears to the good, the bad, and the ugly, and to taking steps to champion the good and change the bad and ugly circumstances that hold us all back.
We commit to moving beyond lip service, making sure that we “walk the talk” when it comes to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
We commit to making room for controversy and conflict, with the knowledge that it is only when these moments of friction occur that we can transform and transcend together.
We commit to inviting new perspectives by seeking the insight of a diversity of voices, which always adds value.
We commit to telling the truth, even when it hurts, to challenge bias, remove barriers, and make meaningful progress.
Most of all, we commit to the continuous pursuit of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging with the goal of creating a better workplace and society for all.
– Adapted from Commitment Statement published in Diversity Beyond Lip Service by La’Wana Harris
Our Prevention Education Plan
The University of Florida today announced plans to move toward a more proactive, preventive stance to address sexual assault and harassment as part of its ongoing efforts to improve the culture surrounding those issues.
Previously known as the Title IX Office, UF’s Office of Accessibility and Gender Equity has sought to expand its role in recent years beyond its directive to document and investigate incidents of assault and harassment. With the adage “Culture of Care,” the office has become a resource for those who seek to educate themselves about healthy interactions and the avoidance of harm.
Our Commitment to Sexual Assault Prevention
UF prohibits discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, gender transition status, sex- or gender-stereotyping, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, or protected veterans.
As such, the University strives to protect students, employees, and visitors from any form of sexual misconduct or gender-based harassment, including Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Exploitation, Stalking/Cyberstalking, Pregnancy Discrimination and associated Retaliatory Actions. No matter what is defined as misbehavior that falls within the scope and definitions outlined by the Department of Education’s new Final Rule as a “Title IX violation”, we will continue to address sexual misconduct and strive to eliminate any instance of it through a multi-various approach of sexual misconduct prevention education, healthy relationship modeling, and alcohol education in order to prevent harm from occurring, along with a multitude of support options offered for the harmed party once misconduct occurs.