POLICIES & PROCEDURES

DISCRIMINATION/HARASSMENT POLICY & PROCEDURE

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment and education opportunity (1B.1 Nondiscrimination in Employment and Education Opportunity). 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, or sexual orientation. In addition, discrimination in employment based on 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 with regard to public assistance, or sexual orientation 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 law and is not directed at the content of speech. In cases in which verbal statements and other forms of expression are involved, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities 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.

The system office, colleges, and universities 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 Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, including but not limited to, its students, employees, applicants, volunteers, agents, and Board of Trustees, 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.

For the complete policy and procedure, please reference 1B.1 Nondiscrimination in Employment and Education Opportunity at http://www.mnscu.edu/board/policy/1b-01.pdf and 1B.1.1 Report/Complaint of Discrimination/Harassment Investigation and Resolution at http://web.mnstate.edu/affirm/Policies/mnscu1B11.pdf.

Designated Officers (to address questions or concerns, file a complaint, and attain a hard copy of the policy):

Allegations against Employees, including Student Employees, and against Students
Ashley Atteberry, Director of Student Conduct and Resolution, Owens Hall 206; (218) 477-2174