Francis Marion University is dedicated to equal opportunity through affirmative action within the University community. The University's affirmative action program is designed to provide equal consideration of all applicants for faculty and staff positions, for all faculty members in the tenure and promotion process, and for administrators and other staff members seeking promotions and upgrades, as well as for students seeking admission, financial aid, and equality in academic and athletic programs.

It is the policy of Francis Marion University to recruit, hire, train, and promote employees without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, physical disability, sexual orientation, or age. Furthermore, it is FMU's policy to implement affirmative action to prevent any disparate effects of discrimination because of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, or age. Hiring, training, promotion, pay scales, and benefits practices are based on qualifications, demonstrated ability, and meritorious performance. The University actively recruits students from protected categories and provides opportunities for the growth and development of those students.

The University's Affirmative Action Plan includes the monitoring and reporting of compliance with applicable laws and regulations including Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Executive Order 11375; Revised Order No. 4; the Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; the Vietnam Era Veteran's Rehabilitation Act of 1974; Titles VII and VIII of the Public Health Service Action; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; and all applicable laws and ordinances of the state of South Carolina.

A plan has been developed to help achieve FMU's goal of equal employment opportunity for all. The Vice President for Student Affairs serves as the University's Affirmative Action Officer and is responsible for ensuring that the University's commitments are met and for reporting progress to the President. The Affirmative Action Officer has the responsibility in accordance with the plan to ascertain that a concerted effort is established and maintained to assure the achievement of goals and interim benchmarks. For more information, call 843-661-1187.

Discriminatory Personal Conduct: The University seeks to promote a fair, humane, and respectful environment for its faculty, staff, and students. To that end, University policy explicitly prohibits sexual harassment, racial harassment, and all other personal conduct which inappropriately asserts that sex, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or ancestry are relevant to consideration of individual worth or individual performance. The same policies provide procedures for the informal resolution of instances in which such behavior is suspected or alleged. The policies are available for inspection in the Office of Student Affairs, Smith University Center, or the Human Resources Office, Stokes Administration Building.

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