Sustainable Inclusive Excellence Update – Office of the General Counsel

Department(s):

General Counsel

As part of WPI’s Sustainable Inclusive Excellence (SIE) efforts, the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) supports WPI’s departments and divisions in achieving their SIE goals by providing legal advice related to issues of diversity and inclusion, negotiating contracts between WPI and service providers, and assisting in the selection and supervision of outside counsel who may assist on particular SIE matters that require specialized expertise.

Over the past academic year, the OGC has provided support on the following topics, in particular:

  1. The evolving federal law on race and gender-based affirmative action in admissions and financial aid.  OGC works closely with Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions, as well as Student Financial Aid & Literacy and the Division of University Advancement, on WPI’s legal compliance in these areas.
  2. Title IX and relevant state laws and regulations on sexual misconduct on campus.  OGC works closely with the Title IX Office on WPI’s legal compliance and in training WPI’s Title IX team.
  3. Federal and state anti-discrimination laws and regulations.  OGC works closely with the Office of Accessibility Services, the Dean of Students Office, the Bias Response Team, and the Division of Talent & Inclusion on WPI’s legal compliance in these areas.

OGC looks forward to continuing our close partnership with WPI’s departments and divisions to achieve the Institute’s SIE goals in the upcoming academic year.