Here’s who handles civil rights compliance at Pitt

As a publicly funded university, Pitt is required to adhere to a wide range of federal civil rights statues. Those include, but are not limited to, compliance with Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination; Title VI, which prohibits discrimination based on race or nationality; and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities.

Here's where to turn if you have questions about compliance, need to request an accommodation, or need to file a report related to Title IX, Title VI or ADA violations.

Office of Compliance, Investigations, and Ethics

The Office of Compliance, Investigations, and Ethics (CIE) promotes accountability and trust at the University through expert guidance, compliance support, comprehensive investigative work and ethics program development.

Along with developing new compliance programs and managing existing programs, CIE conducts investigations and provides transparency around potentially troublesome academic and workplace environments, while also safeguarding the rights of everyone involved. The office is also home to the Pitt Privacy Office, which helps oversee data management compliance related to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and more.

[Read more: Meet Pitt's first Title VI coordinator.]

Any Pitt community member - students, faculty and staff - can ask questions or raise concerns about irregular or troublesome workplace, academic and other issues with the office using the Pitt Concern Connection. You can submit a report via webform, email or WhatsApp 24/7.

Learn more about resources available through CIE.

Disability Resources and Services

The office of Disability Resources and Services (DRS) is a key part of Pitt's commitment to promoting equal access and opportunity for students, faculty and staff with disabilities.

DRS works individually with members of the University community to determine and ensure delivery of reasonable accommodations and services in University classes, programs, activities, and employment, as defined by the ADA. In addition to ensuring compliance with regulations, DRS coordinates programs and initiatives for individuals with disabilities, and cultivates disability awareness and education within the University community.

[Explore the latest programs and tips from DRS.]

Learn more about DRS offerings.

Office of Institutional Engagement and Wellbeing

Along with providing leadership and resources, the Office of Institutional Engagement and Wellbeing (OIEW) partners with units across Pitt's campuses to create welcoming environments that allow everyone to succeed, regardless of identity, background or ability.

Created in 2025, OIEW works to strengthen campus climate by supporting community resources, expanding access to training and education, and providing cultural enrichment opportunities for faculty, staff and students.

OIEW is home to the Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Office, or Prevention at Pitt, which provides support to survivors and promotes ongoing dialogues around issues of consent, bystander intervention, harassment and healthy relationships with the goal of eradicating sexual misconduct on Pitt's campus. Part of this team includes the Care Advocates, who serve as a confidential resource for any student who has experienced, witnessed or been involved in identity-based misconduct.

Additionally, OIEW has resources devoted to creating a digital environment that all can freely, independently, and easily access, including technical resources and services to support the University's accessibility efforts. Anyone at Pitt can find tools and trainings to achieve their accessibility goals or report a barrier.

By working with student organizations as well as faculty and staff resource groups, the office's Institutional Engagement team builds campus community, enriches education, and supports professional development and collaboration across the University. The team also hosts events and forums designed to gather feedback, strengthen connections across the University and help shape future engagement and wellbeing programs.

OIEW also provides a range of wellbeing resources.

Find more OIEW offerings.

How this work is organized

Moving forward, the University will align compliance functions under Title VI and Title IX with work already conducted within CIE, which will continue to be responsible for receiving reports, initiating investigations, tracking compliance, and reporting under Title VI, Title IX and other civil rights authorities.

Separately, DRS will report to the senior vice chancellor and chief legal officer along with CIE, the Office of University Counsel, and the Office of Policy Development and Management. It will continue to handle formal requests for reasonable academic and campus accommodations for students, faculty and staff.

OIEW remains responsible for outreach, support, engagement and training associated with civil rights, including Title VI, Title IX and ADA.

Photography by Aimee Obidzinski