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Nondiscrimination Statement
Nondiscrimination
Statement – Penn State Policy AD-42
The Pennsylvania
State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal
access to programs, facilities, admission and employment without regard to personal
characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined
by University policy or by state or federal authorities. It is the policy of
the University to maintain an academic and work environment free of discrimination,
including harassment. The Pennsylvania State University prohibits discrimination
and harassment against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability
or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation
or veteran status. Discrimination or harassment against faculty, staff or students
will not be tolerated at The Pennsylvania State University.
Definitions:
Discrimination
is conduct of any nature which denies equal privileges or treatment to a particular
individual because of the individual's age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap,
national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.
Harassment
may include, but is not limited to, verbal or physical attacks, written threats
or slurs that relate to a person's membership in a protected class, unwelcome
banter, teasing, or jokes that are derogatory, or depict members of a protected
class in a stereotypical and demeaning manner, or any other conduct which has
the purpose or effect of interfering unreasonably with an individual's work
or academic performance or creates an offensive, hostile, or intimidating working
or learning environment.
Resolution of Complaints:
The University
will make every effort to promptly investigate and resolve complaints of discrimination
or harassment, with due regard for fairness and the rights of both the complainant
and alleged offender, and to conduct all proceedings in the most confidential
manner possible.
Any member of the
University community who experiences discrimination or harassment should immediately
report the incident to the Affirmative Action Office, an administrator in his
or her department or unit, or the Office of Human Resources. In cases where
an individual reports alleged discrimination or harassment to an administrator,
faculty member, or staff member, the person receiving the complaint should contact
the Affirmative Action Office to discuss resolution and ensure consistent responses
to issues across units.
The Affirmative
Action Office has primary responsibility for resolving discrimination and harassment
complaints. If unsuccessful at resolving the issue informally, the Affirmative
Action Office may investigate to reach a formal determination on the merits
of the allegations. Investigations will include notifying the alleged offender
of the complaint and providing an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
If there is evidence
of discrimination or harassment, the University will make every effort to ensure
the discrimination and/or harassment immediately stops and does not recur. The
complainant will be informed of the corrective measures taken.
The University
prohibits retaliation against anyone who files a complaint and/or participates
in an investigation involving alleged discrimination or harassment.
Disciplinary Sanctions:
Disciplinary sanctions
for violation of this policy, which may range from a disciplinary warning to
expulsion from the University, will be imposed in accordance with applicable
University policies.
Direct all inquiries
regarding the nondiscrimination policy to:
Affirmative
Action Director
The Pennsylvania State University
328 Boucke Building
University Park, PA 16802-5901
Telephone: (814) 865-4700/V; (814) 863-1550/TTY
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