Office of Religious and Ethnic Interests (Title VI)

The Office of Religious and Ethnic Interests
(Title VI) (“OREI”) is a key part of the University of Pennsylvania’s efforts to create a safe and respectful environment for all University community members (current Penn students, faculty, staff, or post-doctoral trainees with a valid PennKey) and to uphold the University’s obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to protect community members from harassment or discrimination based on shared national ancestry or ethnicity.

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OREI’s purview includes:

  • Consulting with, and educating, the Penn community on how to understand and address issues of religious and ethnic bias, discrimination, and harassment;
  • Receiving reports and initiating investigations;
  • Attempting mediation among the relevant parties; and
  • Referring or bringing a report with a recommendation to the appropriate University disciplinary process and/or law enforcement. OREI is not empowered to discipline or sanction members of the Penn community.

News

September 5, 2024 | Penn Today

The establishment of this new Office ensures that Penn can continue to fulfill its obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and under Penn’s own policies, to protect students, faculty and staff from discrimination based on their religion, ethnicity, shared ancestry, or national origin, and provides us with a critical central point of contact for Title VI training and compliance related to religion, shared national ancestry, and ethnicity.

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December 17, 2024 | Penn Today

The office, which is now open, is co-led by Steve Ginsburg and Majid Alsayegh. Deborah Frey will serve as chief investigator.

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Contact Us

Office of Religious and Ethnic Interests (Title VI)

The Franklin Building, Room 216
3451 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Telephone: (215) 746-7869
Email: contact-orei@pobox.upenn.edu