1B.1 Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination in Employment and Educational Opportunity

Responsible Position

Human Resources Officer

RELATED ITEMS

Minnesota Statute 363A.03, subd. 23

Minnesota State Board Policy

• 1B.1 Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination in Employment and Education

POLICY STATEMENT

Alexandria Technical & Community College (ATCC) has an enduring commitment to enhancing Minnesota’s quality of life by developing and fostering understanding and appreciation of a free and diverse society and providing equal opportunity for all its students and employees. To help effectuate these goals, ATCC is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in employment and education.

Nondiscrimination

No person shall be discriminated against in the terms and conditions of employment, personnel practices, or access to and participation in, programs, services, and activities with regard to race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or status as a U.S. Veteran. In addition, discrimination in employment based on familial status or membership or activity in a local commission as defined by law is prohibited.

Harassment on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, status in regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, status as a U.S. Veteran, or familial status is prohibited. Harassment may occur in a variety of relationships, including faculty and student, supervisor and employee, student and student, staff and student, employee and employee, and other relationships with persons having business at, or visiting the educational or working environment.

This policy is directed at verbal or physical conduct that constitutes discrimination/harassment under state and federal laws and is not directed at the content of speech. In cases in which verbal statements and other forms of expression are involved, ATCC will give due consideration to an individual’s constitutionally protected right to free speech and academic freedom. However, discrimination and harassment are not within the protections of academic freedom or free speech.

ATCC shall maintain and encourage full freedom, within the law, of expression, inquiry, teaching, and research. Academic freedom comes with a responsibility that all members of our education community benefit from it without intimidation, exploitation, or coercion.

This policy shall apply to all individuals affiliated with ATCC, including but not limited to, its students, employees, applicants, volunteers, and administration, and is intended to protect the rights and privacy of both the complainant and respondent and other involved individuals, as well as to prevent retaliation or reprisal. Individuals who violate this policy shall be subject to disciplinary or other corrective action.

This policy supersedes all existing college equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies.

Related ATCC Documents:

• 1B.1.1 Report/Complaint of Discrimination/Harassment Investigation and Resolution
• 1B.1.2 Preferred Name
• 1B.1.3 Designated Officers
• Discrimination/Harassment Complaint Form

Approved by: Leadership Council

Effective Date: 9/16/2020

Next Review Date: September 2023

Archive: 1.3.2 Equal Opportunity and Nondscrimination in Employment and Education Opportunity
              1.4 Harassment and Discrimination Policy