Nondiscrimination Policies and Regulations
As stated in the Notice of Nondiscrimination, 51ÂÒÂ× does not discriminate against any person in employment or educational opportunities because of age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military service or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, status as a parent or foster parent, or any other bases under the law. Further, 51ÂÒÂ× prohibits discrimination and harassment based on these protected classes in accordance with the applicable laws, executive orders, and University policies (see below).
51ÂÒÂ× encourages all employees who become aware of alleged discrimination or harassment to to encourage a university environment free from discrimination and harassment and promote equal employment opportunity.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the University’s nondiscrimination policies, to receive discrimination and harassment complaints from members of the University community, and to monitor the institution’s compliance with state and federal nondiscrimination laws and regulations:
Kerri Griffin, J.D., Director and Title IX Coordinator
University Equity and Civil Rights Compliance
Lindley Hall 006, Athens, Ohio 45701
Voice: 740.593.9140 Fax: 740.593.9168
University Policies Related to Nondiscrimination
University Policy 03.003: Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance: Specifically prohibits discrimination based on disability, establishes a compliance procedure to implement and enforce the provisions of federal and state disability law, and provides guidance to employees and students regarding their rights and responsibilities under those laws.
University Policy 03.004: Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct: Informs members of the university community about prohibited behavior; provides supportive measures designed to remediate the effects of sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct; and provides a prompt, fair, and impartial process to address alleged violations of the policy. (Related: Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct Grievance Process)
University Policy 03.006: Whistle-blowing and Retaliation: Details procedures for making "good faith" disclosures of university-related misconduct and provides protection against retaliation for making such a report.
University Policy 40.001: Nondiscrimination in Education and Employment: Establishes the University’s statement of nondiscrimination, defines related prohibited conduct, and describes the right to file a complaint and the response when complaints are received.
University Policy 40.003: Reasonable Accommodations of Sincerely Held Religious Beliefs and Practices: Sets expectations and procedures for students to take holidays for reasons of faith or religious or spiritual belief system or participate in organized activities conducted under the auspices of a religious denomination, church, or other religious or spiritual organization. (Related: Non-exhaustive List of Major Religious Holidays or Festivals)
Applicable Federal Laws
: Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.
: Protects employees against discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, and religion.
: Prohibits employment discrimination against persons 40 years of age or older.
: Prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.
: Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.
- : Requires affirmative action and prohibits employment discrimination by federal contractors with contracts of more than $10,000.
- : States that "no qualified individual with a disability in the United States shall be excluded from, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under" any program or activity that receives federal financial assistance.
- : Requires federal electronic and information technology to be accessible to people with disabilities, including employees and members of the public.
: Prohibits federal contractors from discriminating in employment against protected veterans and requires employers to take affirmative action to recruit, hire, promote, and retain these individuals.
: Prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in programs or activities receiving federal funding.
: Amends Title VII of the Civil Rights Acts to also prohibit discrimination in employment on the basis of pregnancy.
: Protects individuals with disabilities in several areas, including employment, transportation, public accommodations, and communications.
: Prohibits discrimination on the basis of genetic information with respect to health insurance and employment.
: Expands the Fair Labor Standards Act's protections for nursing mothers by including reasonable break times to nurse and requiring private spaces to pump.
: Requires covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations to a worker's known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless the accommodation will cause the employer undue hardship.
Applicable State Laws and Executive Orders
: Require institutions of higher education to adopt and enforce a policy regarding racial, religious, and ethnic harassment and intimidation.
: Prohibits a state institution of higher education from taking any action or enforcing any policy that would deny a religious student group any benefit available to any other student group based on the religious student group's requirement that its leaders or members adhere to its sincerely held religious beliefs or standards of conduct.
: Requires state institutions of higher education to adopt a policy that reasonably accommodates the sincerely held religious beliefs and practices of individual students with regard to all examinations or other academic requirements and absences for reasons of faith of religious or spiritual belief system.
: Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, military status, national origin, disability, age, or ancestry with regard to employment, public accommodation, and housing.
: Defines antisemitism for the purposes of determining whether an alleged act was motivated by discriminatory antisemitic intent.
: Prohibits discrimination among state employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin (ancestry), military status (past, present, or future), disability, age (40 years or older), status as a parent during pregnancy and immediately after the birth of a child, status as a parent of a young child, status as a nursing mother, status as a foster parent, genetic information, or sexual orientation.