Pitt names first Title VI coordinator, aims to increase ability to address discrimination

Pitt appointed its first-ever Title VI coordinator and director of equal opportunity.

On Sept. 1, Pitt announced that JW Tabacchi is serving as Title VI coordinator. According to the University Times, Tabacchi started his position in July. As Title VI coordinator, Tabacchi oversees, prevents and responds to allegations of discrimination based on race, color, national origin or shared ancestry.

The Pitt News was unable to reach Tabacchi directly.

According to University spokesperson Meredith Herndon, Tabacchi’s responsibilities previously fell under the jurisdiction of the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX. In an email, Herndon said the new position will improve the University’s responsiveness and ability to identify trends.

“We are not altering the University’s approach. Instead, we are increasing our bandwidth and ability to both prevent and react to allegations and incidents of bias and discrimination,” Herndon said. “He will have greater bandwidth because it is a standalone position.”

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. Herndon said Tabacchi will not investigate Title VI complaints. According to Herndon, the investigations will continue to be handled by the Office of Compliance, Investigation and Ethics.

“JW will oversee compliance, reporting and work with the vice chancellor for institutional engagement & wellbeing on education, training and communications,” Herndon said.

Herndon said his position is an additional point of contact and resource for Pitt students, staff and faculty.

“Typically, students start by making a report to the Pitt Concern Connection and will receive direct outreach from JW or a response specialist,” Herndon said.

The new position aligns with a recommendation from the University’s recent report from the Working Group on Antisemitism and other efforts to “restructure Pitt’s compliance and civil rights functions,” according to the Sept. 1 press release. The working group recommended creating a Title VI office independent of the Office of Institutional Engagement and Wellbeing, which houses Pitt’s Title IX office.

Pitt’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors, which had said the report’s recommendations “pose grave threats” to academic freedom, declined an interview but provided a statement.

“Pitt AAUP welcomes all good-faith efforts to combat discrimination of any kind on campus,” the organization said in a statement. “We wish the new coordinator success in finding and maintaining the fine balance between fighting harassment and preserving academic freedom and free expression.”