The University of California, Davis, today announced that Chief Compliance Officer Wendi Delmendo will also assume the role of lead discrimination officer for the campus effective immediately.

The announcement follows the issuance of a final report from Carlos Moreno, a former associate justice of the California Supreme Court, about accounts of discrimination and bias involving faculty at another UC campus. Following the report’s release, UC President Janet Napolitano asked the chancellors at each campus to designate a lead discrimination officer.

“UC Davis is committed to our ongoing efforts to promote diversity, inclusion and mutual respect within our campus community,” Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi said. “Appointing and empowering a lead discrimination officer is a key component of our systemwide efforts to reject and prevent discrimination, bias and harassment.”

In this new role, Delmendo will ensure an appropriate response is made to all reports of perceived acts of illegal discrimination, bias and harassment involving faculty, students and staff. She will work with staff from the Harassment and Discrimination Assistance and Prevention Program as well as administrators in Academic Affairs, Student Judicial Affairs and Human Resources to develop a comprehensive program that will include advising complainants about complaint processes, accepting complaints, carrying out investigations, recommending informal resolutions, and, when necessary, referring cases to the relevant departments for discipline.

Delmendo also will create a one-stop website regarding policies and processes covering discrimination, bias, harassment and other diversity issues. Katehi will meet with Delmendo and review her work of  on a regular basis. 

“This is another important step to demonstrate to all that acts of discrimination and harassment have no place on a University of California campus,” said Rahim Reed, associate executive vice chancellor of Campus Community Relations. “Wendi and her team will continue their diligent work in protecting our students, faculty and staff from any acts contrary to our policies and values.”

Delmendo is already responsible for establishing and implementing a comprehensive campus ethics and compliance oversight program and serves as the university’s implementing official for purposes of the university’s whistleblower program. She ensures the campus meets its legal obligations under Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.