Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction
Affirmative Action
American with Disabilities
Act
Compliance
Discrimination/Harassment
Complaints
Resource Center
Training
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Introduction
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Diversity and Multiculturalism Division is responsible for managing and coordinating policies, procedures and programs governing affirmative action, diversity and equal opportunity concerns from employment to education and from application to treatment of termination. Diversity and Multiculturalism works in collaboration or partnership with each of the 53 Minnesota State Colleges and Universities campuses, other units in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system office, various communities, K-12 school districts, agencies, businesses and the Attorney General's Office, when necessary.
The Diversity and Multiculturalism Division consults, advises, trains and provides policy development in the areas of non-discrimination investigations, diversity and affirmative action for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. Diversity and Multiculturalism provides assistance and guidance to Minnesota State Colleges and Universities institutions for affirmative action plan development, complaint investigation and to insure compliance with State, Federal and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities rules and regulations. The division promotes maintaining a safe physical and learning environment, which is conducive to academic and cultural growth. The division assists Minnesota State Colleges and Universities institutions in providing employment and educational environments free of discrimination, harassment and violence as well as assistance in recruiting and retaining a diverse staff and student body. Diversity and Multiculturalism develops partnerships with business, community, civic and educational organizations to assist Minnesota State Colleges and Universities in carrying out its overall mission.
Affirmative Action
Question:
What is Diversity and Multiculturalism's role in the development of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities' Affirmative Action Plans?
Answer:
Diversity and Multiculturalism has a two-prong role in assisting Minnesota State Colleges and Universities's campuses in developing their Affirmative Action Plans (Plan). First, Diversity and Multiculturalism provides training for the campuses regarding the creation of their overall Plan and, specifically, in the area of developing their workforce analysis and hiring goals sections. Secondly, Diversity and Multiculturalism works closely with the Department of Employee Relations' Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity, not only in developing and delivering training sessions but, most importantly, in working directly with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities campuses in achieving State approval of their Affirmative Action Plan. Download the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Affirmative Action Plan 2006-08.
American with Disabilities Act
Question:
What Americans with Disabilities Act services does the Equal Opportunity and Diversity Division provide to Minnesota State Colleges and Universities colleges and universities?
Answer:
The Diversity and Multiculturalism Division assists the ADA Coordinators who work with employees. Campus-level ADA Coordinators who work with students are assisted by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities's Student Services Division. Currently, Equal Opportunity and Diversity responds to ADA related requests for assistance from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities's colleges and universities in collaboration with the Attorney General's Office.
Compliance
Question:
Can you explain what you mean by Compliance?
Answer:
The Diversity and Multiculturalism Division, working in partnership with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities's General Counsel and the Attorney General's Office, works with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities colleges and universities on compliance issues mandated by State and Federal laws. Diversity and Multiculturalism is responsible for overseeing Federal and State compliance issues for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system in such areas as:
- Title
IX: Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of
sex against students and employees of education programs
and activities receiving federal financial assistance.
- Americans
with Disabilities Act: ADA requires that the programs,
services and activities of state and local governments
be accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.
It also requires public entities to take appropriate
steps to ensure that communications with applicants,
participants, and members of the public with disabilities
have an opportunity to request auxiliary aids and services
to participate in an agency's programs, services
and activities.
- Standards
and Guidelines Governing Civil Rights in Vocational
Education Programs: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities's Diversity and Multiculturalism Division monitors compliance
with the standards and guidelines governing civil rights
in vocational education programs as mandated by the
Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education.
Diversity and Multiculturalism conducts on-site reviews on two to four campuses
per academic year for campuses whose programs fall under
this mandate.
- Board of Trustees' 1B.1 Nondiscrimination in Employment and Education Opportunity Policy: Diversity and Multiculturalism oversees the system's nondiscrimination policy by providing training and consultative services to Minnesota State Colleges and Universities colleges and universities. Diversity and Multiculturalism also provides sexual harassment and diversity training for college and university employees.
Discrimination/Harassment Complaints
Question:
I have a complaint of discrimination against a faculty member. Can I come to Diversity and Multiculturalism or my campus affirmative action officer or should I go to the Academic Senate?
Answer:
You should first go to your campus affirmative action officer or the person on campus who is designated as the "primary investigator." However, Diversity and Multiculturalism can also assist you. In many ways, we are similar to those individuals on your campus that are designated as primary investigators. We are a neutral party entity serving faculty, staff, and students at all 53 Minnesota State Colleges and Universities campuses. We do not take sides, rather, we answer and address any questions, concerns and complaints regarding the matter at hand. Both the complainant and respondent (the accused) can come to us for assistance and/or clarification regarding their rights and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system policies or procedures.
Question:
What can your office do to prevent any form of discrimination or harassment from happening again? What do you do to the "guilty" party to ensure that similar behaviors will not take place again?
Answer:
We ensure that all parties are treated fairly and equitably. We do not decide the "punishment" or settlement; we simply provide fair and neutral fact finding during the process to ensure that all parties are treated fairly and equitably. We investigate all formal complaints of discrimination and/or harassment brought to our office under the Board of Trustees' 1B.1 Nondiscrimination in Employment and Education policy. In addition, we direct our findings to appropriate college or university or system administrator so that they may take appropriate measures to redress and safeguard the impacted individual(s) and/or workplace environment. We conduct training of faculty, staff, and students to ensure a clear understanding of federal and state and system policies and procedures.
Resource Center
Training
Question:
What type of training does the Diversity and Multiculturalism staff provide?
Answer:
Diversity and Multiculturalism was created to support and train individuals concerning the 1B.1 Nondiscrimination in Employment and Education Opportunity. The policy states:
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is committed to a policy of 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, sexual orientation, or membership or activity in a local commission as defined by law.
Our staff provides training and consultative services to all discrmination/ harassment officers; the individuals on campus who are responsible for investigating claims of harassment and/or discrimination; and we provide training to the decisionmakers, the appointed individuals on campus who make the determination of whether the 1B.1 Nondiscrimination in Employment and Education Opportunity policy has been violated.
We also provide the following training services:
- On site (campus) sexual harassment training to both faculty and staff
- On site (campus) individualized investigative training
- Diversity training
- Writing an affirmative action plan
- Recruitment and retention of faculty/staff of color and other protected class individuals
- Recruitment
and retention of students of color and other protected
class individuals
In addition to the above training, we are currently reassessing the needs of campuses and would be willing to develop and provide training that you feel is necessary. If you have any requests or ideas concerning training needs please contact Ka Vang at ka.vang@so.mnscu.edu or 651-296-1867.
