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April 7, 2025

Q&A: How VCU is navigating a changing federal landscape

Cleopatra Magwaro, associate vice president of Equity and Access Services, explains her office’s vital role protecting the civil rights of those in the university community.

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By VCU News staff

As Virginia Commonwealth University continues to monitor the potential impact of executive orders and other federal policy changes, VCU’s office of Equity and Access Services, which reports to the Office of the President, is continuing to lead, coordinate and support civil rights compliance, including Title VI, Title IX and other federally required programs across the university.

EAS works closely with campus partners to implement federal and state mandates, and it is these partnerships that strengthen VCU’s ability to respond to changes in the national landscape.

Cleopatra Magwaro, associate vice president of EAS, recently spoke with VCU News about EAS’ work and how it is navigating the federal changes.

What exactly does EAS do at VCU?

EAS operationalizes VCU’s federally and state mandated civil rights outreach and support by responding to students, faculty, staff and community members such as visitors, who need supportive resources or raise concerns related to ADA accommodations, physical, and digital accessibility, equal opportunity, affirmative action (which applies to people with disabilities and veterans), discrimination, protection of minors, and Title IX (which includes sexual misconduct, sexual violence and sex discrimination).

In addition to providing resolution support, outreach, education, community engagement and resources, EAS is responsible for implementing compliance policies, practices and procedures, including:

Have EAS’ responsibilities changed amid recent federal directives? How so?

VCU’s Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action office within EAS promotes an environment where everyone at VCU can work, learn and live without regard to their legally protected status.

The office implements VCU’s compliance with the affirmative action mandate derived from the university’s status as a federal contractor. Federal law still requires that VCU hire, retain and promote persons with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, and protected veterans under the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act.

Does VCU still prohibit discrimination based on gender, race and other factors?

Yes. VCU policies prohibit unlawful discrimination in the workplace, academic setting or any of its programs, services or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin (including ethnicity and actual or perceived shared ancestry), age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), parenting status, marital status, political affiliation, military status (including veteran status), genetic information (including family medical history), sexual orientation, gender identity,  gender  expression, or disability.

How does EAS support VCU’s work to provide opportunities for everyone, including students and employees?

EAS provides support for VCU as an institution providing access to education and employment, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or disability. EAS also coordinates with partners in student conduct, integrity and compliance and human resources – to name a few, so that we can provide comprehensive coordination to concerns from community members.

If a student, faculty member or staff member has experienced discrimination, what resources are available to them?

Complaints may be filed using the discrimination incident reporting form. Individuals also may email equity@vcu.edu or use the VCU Helpline. Concerns may be raised by any applicant, employee, student, alum or third party who feel they have been discriminated against by a member of the VCU community.

EAS also has a resources page that highlights the resources  available to members of the VCU community, and may be helpful for those who are engaged with our office. Individuals may access these resources regardless of their interest in filing a complaint or pursuing an investigation with EAS.

EAS has developed a flowchart that can be used to better understand and visualize the process from initial report to resolution.

Is there anything else you want the VCU community to know about the work you do?

As a civil rights office, part of our mandate is to work with partners to stop, prevent and remedy the effects of discrimination against anyone based on protected characteristics. For most people, their engagement with civil rights may be to report allegations of discrimination to EAS.  For others, it is to engage in advocacy, education and dialogue about implementing equal opportunity, access and outreach.

The VCU community can learn more about EAS’ work related to civil rights and the safety and protection of minors at our website and in EAS’ end of year reports.