Delta State University Policies

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Equal Employment Opportunity

POLICY STATEMENT

Delta State University is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all persons in all terms and conditions of employment and educational programs and activities without regard to race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information. This policy assists the University in complying with federal and state legal mandates and University policies in relation to discrimination.

DEFINITIONS

Employee: a person who is working on paid appointments by the University in a faculty, staff, adjunct, temporary, intermittent, time-limited, student, or graduate assistant capacity. For specific information on who is considered an employee, contact the Office of Human Resources.

Supervisor: An employee designated by management who exercises major supervisory functions over another employee or employees. These functions include hiring, evaluating, assigning work, and disciplining employees.

Student:includes an individual who has paid an acceptance fee, registered for classes, or otherwise entered into any other contractual relationship with the University to take instruction.

It further includes persons who are eligible to receive any of the rights and privileges afforded to a person enrolled at the University, including, but not limited to, those individuals admitted to the University and attending Orientation programs.
Student status lasts until an individual graduates, is dismissed, or is otherwise not in attendance for two (2) complete, consecutive terms.
“Student” also includes registered student organizations.

PROCEDURES and RESPONSIBILITIES

It is the policy of Delta State University to provide equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program or education activity to all qualified persons. The University will not tolerate unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation and is committed to preventing or stopping them whenever they may occur at the University or in its programs.

The University is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity for any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information. This policy extends to recruitment, employment, tenure, promotion, demotion, transfer, lay-off, termination, leaves of absence, compensation, training, benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

Employment opportunities will not be distinguished on the basis of gender unless gender is a bona fide occupational qualification. Employment opportunities will not be distinguished on the basis of age except where age is reasonably considered as a factor necessary to the normal operation or the achievement of any statutory objective of a program or activity administered by the University.

It is the responsibility of all persons making employment decisions to support this policy.

Equal Education Opportunity

As an institution of higher education and in the spirit of its policies of equal employment opportunity, the University declares its policy of equal educational opportunity. All applicants for admission will be considered without regard to an applicant’s race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information. This policy is noted in all student handbooks. Complaints or grievances of any student who has reason to think the student has been affected by discrimination will be considered through established procedures.

Prohibition on Retaliation

Delta State University strictly prohibits retaliation against individuals who report discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual misconduct, or any violation of applicable civil rights laws, or who participate or assist in an investigation of the same.

Inquiries and Complaints

Any inquiries or complaints concerning the application of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Executive Order 11246, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Adjustment Assistance Act, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, or other legislation and its implementing regulations as they relate to Delta State University should be directed to any of the following persons, as appropriate: the Director of Human Resources, Vice President for Student Affairs, or the Vice President for Finance and Administration.

A complaint may also be filed with:

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Dr. A.H. McCoy Federal Building
100 West Capitol Street, Suite 338
Jackson, MS 39269
Telephone: 800.669.4000
Fax: 601.714.2202
TTY: 800.669.6820
Email: info@eeoc.gov

Review:

The Office of Human Resources is responsible for review of this policy every three years or whenever circumstances require immediate review.

Responsible Office and/or Policy Owner: Office of Human Resources