Nondiscrimination 

Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences (“the university”) is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for work, study, and participation in university life. To that end, the university prohibits any member of the university community, including but not limited to the Board of Trustees, faculty, administration, staff, students, affiliate faculty and preceptors, volunteers or visitors to campus, whether they be a guest, patron, patient, independent contractor, vendor, service provider or client, from harassing or discriminating against any employee or student of the university because of that person’s known or perceived race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, veteran status, genetic information and other characteristics protected by law (“protected class”). The university will address substantiated incidents of harassment or discrimination based on known or perceived protected class status with appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal or expulsion for students and termination of employment. The university is committed to preventing or stopping discrimination or harassment whenever it may occur at the university or in its sponsored activities and encourages all members of the university community to promptly report known or suspected incidents of discrimination and harassment.

The university also prohibits retaliation against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any rights outlined by university policy or law, or because the individual makes a good faith report or formal complaint, testifies, assists, participates, or refuses to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under any university policy or procedure prohibiting discrimination or harassment.

This policy is supplemented by the university’s Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy, which applies only when allegations of sexual misconduct meet the definition of sexual harassment set forth in the regulations implementing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX). The university’s nondiscrimination statement and contact information for reporting concerns are also available on the DMU website at www.dmu.edu/legal. Inquiries concerning the application of this policy or Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 may be directed to the university’s Chief Compliance Officer. Members of the DMU community have the right to direct concerns or questions about DMU’s application of the Title IX Sexual Harassment policy or the Title IX law to the Office of Civil Rights of the United States Department of Education.

Equal Opportunity

Consistent with federal and state law and university policy, Des Moines University is committed to affirmative action and equal opportunity. The university strives to maintain an institutional environment free from protected-class discrimination and harassment.

Merit and productivity, free from protected-class discrimination, guide the university's decisions relating to employment and enrollment. Therefore, an individual’s membership in a protected class will not be permitted to have an adverse influence upon employment or academic decisions affecting students, employees, applicants for admission or applicants for employment.

Every member of the university community is expected to uphold this policy as a matter of mutual respect and fundamental fairness in human relations. Every student of this institution has a responsibility to conduct himself/herself in accordance with this policy as a condition of enrollment. Further, every university employee must observe this policy as a condition of employment.

No person will be penalized for good-faith use of available channels to resolve concerns or complaints of protected-class harassment or discrimination. Furthermore, the university prohibits retaliation against anyone for exercising his/her rights and responsibilities relative to our policies on discrimination and harassment.

Original: September 7, 2021
Updated: April 3, 2026