Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination, Affirmative Action

I. REASON FOR THIS POLICY

This policy sets forth the University’s position on equal opportunity and non-discrimination among its employees, students, visitors, and other members of the University community to implement SDBOR Policy 1.4.4.

II. Definitions

III. STATEMENT OF POLICY

1. 1. Equal Opportunity. The University shall offer equal opportunities in employment and for access to and participation in educational, extension, and other institutional services to all persons qualified by academic preparation, experience, and ability for the various levels of employment or academic program or other institutional service, without discrimination based on sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, gender identification, transgender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability genetic information, veteran status, or any other status that may become protected under law against discrimination.
   2. Non-Discrimination, Civil Rights, and Affirmative Action. The University shall be committed to the objectives of affirmative action, equal opportunity, and non-discrimination pursuant to state and federal law. Redress for alleged violations of those laws may be pursued at law or through the procedures established by the provisions of SDBOR policy 1.4.3 and through the university Title IX Coordinator.
      1. Title IX/EO Coordinator contact information shall be maintained and made available in, and disseminated to, the University community and general public by, the University Title IX/EO Coordinator Office located in the University Office of Human Resources, or successor unit.
   3. Accountability.
      1. Any supervisor, advisor, or other university member to whom discrimination is reported or who becomes aware of harassment by coworker, subordinate, peer, or student is responsible for taking immediate steps to end the discriminatory practice and/or for reporting the harassment to administrators with authority to take action.
      2. All persons are charged with ensuring that they do not retaliate in any way against a person who files a discrimination complaint.
      3. Employees and students may be subject to disciplinary action for violation of any of the obligations set forth in SDBOR policy Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination, and Affirmative Action policy 1.4.4 and Dakota State University procedures.
   4. Communication. The University President shall be responsible for assuring that the expectations of SDBOR policy 1.4.4 are communicated effectively to members of the institutional community and the public at large.
      1. The means for such communication may include seminars or other forms of public service or instructional programming.
      2. Communications shall include notices posted or otherwise incorporated into institutional promotional materials.
      3. Such notices shall clearly identify persons who are responsible for the implementation of equal opportunity policies and advise readers or listeners how they might contact the responsible institutional officials to obtain further information or to express their concerns.
      4. The President may appoint representatives to deliver communications focused on the expectations of SDBOR policy 1.4.4.
   5. Training. The University shall provide easily accessible Title IX training materials and relevant support information.

   Exclusions
   None

• Exceptions
  None

  IV. PROCEDURES (MAJOR)

  1. 1. Confidentiality. The University encourages all campus community members and visitors to bring forth concerns. DSU has a legal and civil obligation to take action to address and remedy issues that are reported. The University shall take all reasonable measures to protect an individual’s identity when addressing issues.
     2. Reporting. Dakota State University provides a variety of mechanisms to report issues relevant to equal opportunity, non-discrimination, and affirmative action:
        
        1. To report equal opportunity, non-discrimination, and affirmative action concerns, contact the university’s Title IX Coordinator at DSU-TitleIX@dsu.edu.
        2. Report online via the university’s Incident Reporting Form.
        3. Dakota State University Counseling Center at counseling.center@dsu.edu.
        4. Dakota State University Safety Resource Officer at 605-270-0055.
     3. Training. All employees and students receive email invitations to complete Title IX training sessions each year. Sessions include information about responding to and reporting concerns, bystander intervention strategies, and ways to maintain a respectful environment that every member of the Trojan community expects.

  V. RELATED DOCUMENTS, FORMS, AND TOOLS

  Title IX Training Materials and Support Information
  
  SDBOR Title IX Coordinator Training: Intake to Investigation
  SDBOR Title IX Coordinator Training: Hearing Pre to Post
  SDBOR Title IX Investigator Update Training
  Reports and Complaints Of Sexual Harassment
  Title IX Investigations
  Supportive Measures
  ATIXA: Investigator One

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  VI. POLICY HISTORY

  Originally Issued: 01/08/1996
  Most Recent Revision: 04/29/2024