The University was established by the Seventh-day Adventist church as an integral part of its teaching ministry.

The University is committed to equal education and employment opportunities for men and women of all races and does not discriminate on the basis of handicap, sex, race, color, or national origin in its educational and admissions policies, financial affairs, employment programs, student life and services, or any University-administered program.

To this end, the University is in compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, and substantial compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (45 CFR 86 et seq.) and Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The University also complies with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 and Section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veterans Adjustment Act of 1974 and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of age or because they are disabled veterans or veterans of the Vietnam era. In addition, the University administers student programs without discrimination on the basis of age, except in those programs where age is a bona fide academic qualification for admission in accordance with the provisions of the Age Discrimination Act of 1975.

The University reserves constitution and statutory rights as a religious institution and employer to give preference to Seventh-day Adventists in admissions and employment, including but not limited to 42 USC 2000e-1, 2000e-2, 6-15 of Federal Executive order 11246: 41 CFR 60-1.5(5); 34 CFR 86.21, 86.31, 86.40, and 86.57 (b); California Government Code sections 12926(c); and Title 2, Section 7286.5(a) (5) and title 22 Section 98222 of the California Administrative Code. The University believes that Title IX regulations are subject to constitutional guarantees against unreasonable entanglement with or infringements on the religious teachings and expects students and employees to uphold biblical principles of morality and deportment as interpreted by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The University claims exemptions from the provisions of the Title IX set forth in CFR Sections 86.21, 86.31, 86.40, and 86.57(b) insofar as they conflict with Church teachings and practices of morality, deportment and appearance.