Affirmative Action Policies

SOU CATALOG HOME : AFFIRMATIVE ACTION POLICIES

Equal Employment Opportunity

Southern Oregon University has been, and will continue to be, an equal opportunity employer and will continue to recruit, hire, train and promote into all job levels the most qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, national origin, veteran status, or age. Similarly, the University will continue to administer all other personnel matters (such as compensation, benefits, transfers, layoffs, Universitysponsored training, educational benefits, and social and recreational programs) in accordance with the University equal employment opportunity policy. It is SOU policy that illegal discrimination shall not exist in any activity or operation of the University.

Discriminatory Harassment

Within the basic philosophies, goals, and guidelines for Southern Oregon University, students and employees shall have the right to pursue educational, recreational, social, cultural, residential, employment, and professional activities in an atmosphere where the rights, dignity, and worth of every individual are respected. These rights are granted independent of an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, gender, or sexual orientation. Any harassing, threatening, or intimidating activity, or any practice by an employee or a student which abuses, endangers, jeopardizes personal safety, or interferes with official duties, class attendance, or educational pursuits of any person is prohibited. Southern Oregon University is committed to free speech. Nothing in this policy is intended to limit constitutional protections of speech. Great care must be taken not to inhibit open discussion, debate, and expression of personal opinion and differences of opinion, particularly in the classroom. However, even when laws cannot compel us to do so, speaking responsibly requires us to be sensitive to the effects of hostile speech and to refrain from speaking in demeaning and harassing ways. As a community devoted to scholarship and education, all members are encouraged to resolve disputes in an open, mature manner through discourse, mediation, and education and to actively work to promote a campus climate and work environment that is open and welcomes all persons. A detailed discussion paper regarding this policy is available in the office of the Assistant to the President for Affirmative Action (CE 029A).

Disability Accessibility

It is the policy of Southern Oregon University that no otherwise qualified person shall, solely by reason of disability, be denied access to, participation in, or the benefits of, any service, program, or activity, operated by the University. Each qualified person shall receive reasonable accommodation/modification needed to ensure equal access to employment, educational opportunities, programs, and activities, in the most appropriate, inte
grated setting, except when such accommodation creates undue hardship on the part of the provider. These policies are in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other applicable Federal and State regulations that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability.

Affirmative Action

Southern Oregon University is committed to the concepts and goals of Affirmative Action. This means actively and aggressively seeking the inclu
sion in the student population and in the job force of individuals historically underrepresented by making a positive and continuous effort in their recruitment, employment, retention, and promotion. The University is committed to strengthening these values through its curriculum offerings. There are four groups of people who are classified as racial minorities for affirmative action purposes: Hispanics; Native Americans and Alaskan Natives; African Americans; and Asians and Pacific Islanders. Other groups, because they have suffered the effects of discrimination, are also the focus of affirmative action efforts: women; the disabled; those over forty; Vietnamera veterans; and those with an alternative sexual orientation. Southern Oregon University is committed to actively removing any barriers that artificially limit the personal development of women and minorities, as defined.

Athletics Policy

SOU is committed to providing equal athletic opportunity for members of both sexes. Equal opportunities include such areas as: accommodating the athletic interests and abilities of female as well as male students (including the selection of sports and levels of competition); equipment and supplies; scheduling; travel and per diem allowances; opportunity to receive coaching and academic tutoring; assignment and pay of coaches and tutors; locker rooms and other facilities; medical and training facilities and services; publicity; recruitment; athletic scholarships; and other factors. The SOU Title IX Compliance Officer is the Assistant to the President for Affirmative Action. Title IX grievances shall be processed as outlined in OAR 57335.