Equal Opportunity/Accessibility
Equal Opportunity
Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.
For more information:
Accessibility
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is the civil rights guarantee for persons with disabilities in the United States. It provides protection from discrimination for individuals on the basis of disability.
The ADA extends civil rights protections for people with disabilities to employment in the public and private sectors, transportation, public accommodations, services provided by state and local government, and telecommunication services.
Virginia Cooperative Extension is committed to a policy of non-discrimination in employment and education and complies with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibit discrimination against persons with disabilities.
VSU Policy and Related Information
Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Prevention Policy, 1101
Discrimination Grievance Procedures, 1103
Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy, 1104
Title IX Complaint Resolution Procedures, 1105
Americans with Disabilities Accessibility Policy, 1003
Civility in the Workplace Policy, 235
Notice of Non-Discrimination
Student Code of Conduct
Related Federal and State Laws
Clery Act/The Jeanne Clery Act of 1990 — requires all colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs to keep and disclose information about crime on and near their respective campuses.
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994 — expands the juridical tools to combat violence against women and provide protection to those who had suffered violent abuses.
Campus SAVE Act of 2013 — amends the Clery Act to increase transparency requirements for colleges, guarantee rights for survivors, establish disciplinary proceedings, and require education programs on prevention and awareness.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964/Title VII — prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin or religion.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964/Title VI — prohibits discrimination based on race, color and national origin in programs or activities that receive federal funds.
Equal Pay Act of 1963 — amends the Fair Labor Standards Act, aimed at abolishing wage disparity based on sex.
Pregnancy Discrimination Act — prohibits discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions which constitutes unlawful sex discrimination under Title VII.
Code of Virginia § 23.1-806. Reporting Acts of Sexual Violence (Institutions of Higher Education)
HB913-Higher Education Institutions; sexual violence policies, immunity from prosecution, enacted April 10, 2020
Governor’s Executive Order Number One (2018)
Report Harassment, Discrimination, or Sexual Assault
Conduct in violation of the Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy should be reported promptly by all students, employees, applicants for admission and employment, visitors, or contractors to the Title IX Coordinator or any member of the Title IX Team, or officials with authority or responsible employees. Any person may file a Formal Complaint, as defined in this policy, of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment. The written and signed Formal Complaint must be remitted to the Title IX Coordinator. The Formal Complaint shall be treated as a request for the University to investigate the allegations set forth in the complaint in accordance with the Title IX Complaint Resolution Procedures, unless otherwise informed by the Complainant.
A report or formal complaint may be made in person, by mail, by telephone, or by e-mail, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator, or by any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person’s verbal or written report or complaint. Contact options listed (telephone number, e-mail address, or by office mailing address) for the Title IX Coordinator may be used at any time, including during non-business hours.
All employees, other than the confidential employees indicated in this policy, who receive such reports or complaints must immediately notify the Title IX Coordinator and should not undertake any independent efforts to determine whether or not the report or complaint has merit before reporting it to the Title IX Coordinator.
The Title IX Coordinator may file a Formal Complaint on behalf of the University. Such action will normally be taken in limited circumstances involving serious or repeated conduct or where the alleged perpetrator may pose a continuing threat to the University community.
Criminal Reporting
If a victim is in immediate danger or needs immediate attention, the individual should contact 911 or use the emergency call box (blue emergency lights) to connect directly to the campus police station. Some conduct in violation of this policy may also be a crime under Virginia law. Individuals are encouraged to report incidents of sexual harassment, stalking, and dating or domestic violence to law enforcement; even if the reporting individual is not certain if the conduct constitutes a crime. VSU will provide assistance to victims in notifying law enforcement if the victim so chooses. Crimes dealing with minors must be reported to law enforcement. Reports of policy violations made to campus police will automatically be referred to the Title IX Coordinator for investigation whether the complainant chooses to pursue criminal charges or not.
Accessibility Evaluation Tools
Color Checkers
Documents and Video Accessibility
Upgrade your software
Browser Updates
eReaders
See Extension publications for more information
Contact
For employment discrimination questions, concerns, or complaints:
Deborah D. Howard
Title IX Coordinator
Virginia Hall, Room 313
804-524-5371
For program discrimination and accessibility questions, concerns, or complaints:
Dr. Janine P. Woods
Associate Administrator, Extension Programs
L. Douglas Wilder Building
804-524-5262
To file a program discrimination complaint with the USDA, write to:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Director, Office of Adjudication
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250-9410