Celebrating Diversity University of South Carolina Diversity resource Manual University of South Carolina Office of Equal Opportunity Programs Celebrating Diversity University of South Carolina Diversity resource Manual University of South Carolina Office of Equal Opportunity Programs Table of Contents StatementfromthePresident 2 Introduction 3 DiversityInitiativesandResources 4 FacultyandStaffResources 4 StudentResources 8 DiversityGoals 12 Statement from the President T heUniversityofSouthCarolina,asthestate’sflagshipUniversity,hasauniqueanddiverse history.Today,aswemovethisUniversityforward,wecanreflectonthathistoryandlookat thetremendousprogressthisUniversityhasmadeinpromotingdiversitybyouractionsandour deeds.ThisisindirectcontrasttowherewewerehistoricallywhenblacksandwomenwereprohibitedbylawfromattendingtheUniversity. OneofmyfirstactsuponbecomingpresidentoftheUniversitywastotaskourexecutiveleadership team,alongwithourfaculty,staff,andstudents,withthedevelopmentofanewfocusedstrategic planfordiversity.Overthenextseveralmonths,Iwillworkwiththistaskforcetoensureourstrategicplanfordiversityisfullyimplemented.Wemustdothistoensurewecancontinuetomeetthe needsofanincreasinglydiversepopulationandaglobaleconomyinwhichwemustbepreparedto competeasagreatUniversity. Weproudlynotethatourmissionistheeducationofthestate’sdiversecitizensandstudents throughteaching,research,andservice.ThediversityoftheUniversityofSouthCarolinatoday includesandreflectsthepresenceofdifferentcultures,languages,ethnicities,races,genders,sexual orientations,andreligiousgroups.Wemustvalueourdifferences,andwelearnandgrowbyencouraginginteractioninthegreaterUniversitycommunity.Wearefullycommittedtocreatingan inclusiveenvironmentandinstitutionalclimateattheUniversityofSouthCarolinawheremulticulturalperspectivesandrelationshipscandevelopandcreatelearningopportunities,aswestriveto fulfillourmissionofteaching,research,andservice. AttheUniversityofSouthCarolina,wehavedevelopedprograms,policies,andproceduresthat promotediversityandequalopportunitywhileaddressingdiscriminationinbothacademicand non-academicarenas.Weknowthatbyfullyembracingdiversitywewillcontinuetoattractworldclassfaculty,staff,andstudents.Thisdiversityresourcemanualdetailsourcurrentpolicies,procedures,andon-goingprogrammingthatdemonstratesoursupportandcommitmenttodiversity. AspresidentoftheUniversity,IenvisiontheUniversityofSouthCarolinaasaplacewhereour diversityisnotonlymeasuredinnumbers,butalsointheinclusiveandwelcomingclimatethatwe putondisplayeachandeverydayinourcommunity. HarrisPastides President 2 Introduction T heUniversityofSouthCarolinawascharteredin1801andtodayservesasthestate’sflagship university,withthreeseniorcampusesandfourregionalcampuseslocatedstrategicallyaroundthe state.TheUniversityofSouthCarolinaisaglobalinstitution/enterprisethatservesthestate,thenation, andtheworldthroughitsoutreachandpublicservice.Asaninstitutionofresearchandhigherlearning, ourcommunityiscomposedoffaculty,staff,students,andalumnifromaroundtheworld.Weviewthis diversityofbackgroundsandculturesasanasset,andwearecommittedtocreatinganenvironmentin whichequityandmutualrespectforourdifferencesflourishandenrichourUniversitycommunity. WeareespeciallyproudofthefactthatourdiversityinitiativeshavebeenrecognizedbytheJournal of Blacks in Higher EducationandbyDiverse MagazineasitrelatestoflagshipuniversitiesinAmericawiththe highestpercentageofAfrican-Americanstudents(14.7percent)anddegreerecipients.Wearealsoamong theleadingflagshipuniversitiesinAmericainthediversityofourAfrican-Americanfacultyandstaff.In addition,Latin TrademagazinerankstheUniversityofSouthCarolina’sMooreSchoolofBusinessamong thetopfivebusinessschoolsintheworldforMBAprogramsforLatinAmericans.Webelievethatthese successstoriesreflectthatwehaveinplaceattheUniversityresourcestofullysupportourdiversityefforts anddemonstrateourcommitmenttothefuture. Keycomponentsofourdiversityresourcemanualincludetraininganddevelopmentprogramsandservices forourfaculty,staff,andstudentsonaccess,mentoring,andretentionissues.Accessinvolves,butisnot limitedto,recruitmentandsupportiveservices,andourmentoringprogramsenhanceourretentionefforts forourfaculty,staff,andstudentsaswegrowtheUniversity.Diversityservicesareprovidedbyvaried officesoncampusandprovidesupportforfaculty,staff,andstudents. TheUniversityofSouthCarolina’scommitmenttodiversityisbestdemonstratedintheCarolinianCreed, whichdescribesusasa“communityofscholarsdedicatedtopersonalandacademicexcellence”wherewe “willpracticepersonalandacademicfreedom,…willrespectthedignityofallpersons,…willdiscourage bigotry,strivingtolearnfromdifferencesinpeople,ideas,andopinions…anddiscouragebehaviorswhich threatenthefreedomandrespectallUniversityofSouthCarolinacommunitymembersdeserve.”The CarolinianCreed,whichisprovidedtoallstudentsupontheiradmissionandservesasourcodeofcivility, bestexemplifiesthetypeofinstitutionalclimatethatwestrivetoachievewithourdiversityefforts.We believeitiseverymemberoftheUniversityfamily’sresponsibilitytosupportaclimateofrespectforothers andcivilityandtoensureequityinboththeacademicandnonacademicarenas.Finally,webelievethat ourcommitmenttodiversityisevidentinouractionsandourdeedsandistodayanintegralpartofour institutionalcultureattheUniversityofSouthCarolina. For further information on diversity services listed in this manual, please visit the University’s Web site at www.sc.edu. Select the “A to Z Index” link in the left-hand navigation bar to access an alphabetical listing of departments and programs. You can also contact the Office of Equal Opportunity programs at 803-777-3854. 3 Diversity Initiatives and Resources Faculty and Staff Resources Office of Equal Opportunity Programs Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Grievance/Complaint Processing Procedures—The Office of Equal Opportunity Programs is mandated by the president of the University to develop EEO grievance/ complaint processing procedures to ensure that applicants for employment, employees, prospective students, and enrolled students at the University of South Carolina are provided equal opportunity and equal access and are protected against illegal discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, and veteran status. These complaint processing procedures are made available to all faculty, staff, students, prospective students, and the general public online at the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs Web site. Persons who feel that they have been subjected to illegal discrimination or denied equal opportunity in employment or regarding any program, services, or service offered by the University are encouraged to consult the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs. Access and Equity—The Office of Equal Opportunity Programs houses the University Access and Equity Program. Through grant funding, the Office of Access and Equity develops programs and services designed to address the issues of access and declining enrollment of minority and disadvantaged students. These programs and services create academic enrichment and career development opportunities for minority and underrepresented students. One such initiative is the Graduate Incentive Scholarship Program (GIS). As a need-based scholarship program, GIS provides tuition assistance for minority and disadvantaged graduate students. Access and equity funding is provided by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, and the University provides matching funds through the Office of the Provost. Affirmative Action—The University of South Carolina is required to have an approved affirmative action plan by state and federal law. The Office of Equal Opportunity Programs is responsible for the development and updating of this plan on an annual basis and for submitting a goal achievement report to the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission as required by the South Carolina General Assembly. In South Carolina, all state agencies, such as the University, are required to track the hiring and promotion of all employees with specific goals being established for underrepresented groups on the basis of race and sex. Diversity Training and Development—The Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, in partnership with the Division of Human Resources Professional Development Office, offers an ongoing series of classes on the topic “Diversity in the Workplace.” Designed to enhance employees’ understanding and development of cultural competence, the classes are offered each semester. In addition, the staff from the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs presents workshops for individual departments and offices on request and, based upon need, diversity training and development for faculty, staff, and students. Equal Opportunity (Staff and Faculty Searches)—The Office of Equal Opportunity Programs assists academic departments that are searching for qualified potential faculty members. The Office of Equal Opportunity Programs provides hiring committees with underutilized statistics and publishes a recruitment manual, Strengthening Academic Excellence Through Affirmative Recruiting. Representatives from the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs also meet regularly with hiring committees to discuss important issues involved in hiring and promotion and provide technical assistance on request. Training—The Office of Equal Opportunity Programs conducts EEO/Affirmative Action and diversity training on these relevant issues to educate USC’s faculty, staff, and students. By providing ongoing personal and professional development training opportunities, our overall goal is to help increase the University’s faculty, staff, and student awareness and effectiveness—and their ability to contribute to the success of the University. 4 Diversity Initiatives and Resources Faculty and Staff Resources Diversity Outreach Programs—TheOfficeofEqualOpportunityProgramsischargedwithdeveloping aseriesofdiversityoutreachinitiatives.Theseinitiativesseektoincreasethenumberofminorityand disadvantagedstudentswhoarepursuinghighereducationcareersaswellaspursuingdegreesinareas whereinminoritiesareunderrepresented,suchasmath,science,medicine,andengineering.Onesuch initiativeistheGrassrootsInitiativetoFosterTalentedStudents(theGIFTSProject). Statistical Reporting (Federal and State)—TheOfficeofEqualOpportunityProgramsregularly providesdepartments,colleges,andcampusesoftheUniversitystatisticaldataonapplicantavailability andunderutilization.Inaddition,theofficeprovidesEEOreportsandrelateddatatobothfederaland stateregulatoryagenciesasitrelatestotheemploymentofallfacultyandstaffonthebasisofrace,sex, disability,andveteranstatus. Staff Support for Search Committees—TheOfficeofEqualOpportunityProgramsoffersstaffsupport forsearchcommitteesbycreatinganupdatedstatisticalworksheetofunderutilizedfacultymembersin specificcollegesandworkareasandmeetswithsearchcommitteesinanadvisorycapacitytoanswerany questionsthatmayariseduringthesearchcommitteesprocessasitrelatestohiringandpromotion. Complaint Processing—TheOfficeofEqualOpportunityProgramsconductstimelyinvestigations ofcomplaintsthatarefiled,examiningequalopportunityreportingandadministrativepoliciestoset newstrategiesforapositiveimpactondiversityandtheeliminationofdiscriminationofanykindinthe workplaceorclassroom. President’s Office President’s Community Advisory Committee—ThePresident’sCommunityAdvisoryCommitteeis madeupofcommunityleadersthatareinvolvedinpolitical,social,civic,legal,andadvocacywork.This committeefocusesondiversityissuesandadvocatesforfaculty,staff,andstudents.Thiscommitteemeets onaquarterlyoras-neededbasistodiscussdiverseissuesthatthepresidentwouldliketohaveaddressed. Theseissuesmayinclude,butarenotlimitedto,academicissues,athleticissues,employmentissues,access andequityissues,andbusinessdevelopmentandprocurementissues.Membershipalsoincludesappointed staffandfacultymemberswhoprovidestaffsupportandresourceinformationonanas-neededbasis. Office of the Provost Affirmative Action Advisory Committee—Thiscommitteeisappointedtoadvisethepresident,the executiveassistanttothepresidentforequalopportunityprograms,andotherkeyadministratorsonmatters relatingtoequalemploymentopportunityandaffirmativeactioneffortsandachievementattheUniversity. Disability Affairs Committee—ThiscommitteeaddressesandadvisestheUniversityadministration concerningaccessibilityissuesoncampus.ItsgoalistoensurefairandequalaccesstoallUniversity resourcesforstudents,faculty,andstaffwhohavedisabilitiesasdefinedbystateandfederallaw. Committee on Religious Affairs—Thiscommitteeoverseesthereligiouslifeprogramsoncampusand makessuchrecommendationstothepresidentasmaybeappropriatetoensureallreligiousviewsand beliefsareaccommodatedinanondiscriminatorymannerattheUniversity. 5 Diversity Initiatives and Resources Faculty and Staff Resources Retention Committee—Thiscommitteeprovidescampusleadershipinthestudyandpromotionof studentretention,progression,academicsuccess,anddegreecompletionattheUniversity. Veteran’s Advisory Committee—Thiscommitteeservesasanadvocateforfacultyandstaffmemberswho areveteransofthearmedforcesbymonitoringpoliciesandproceduresthatmayimpactveteransofthe armedforceswhoareenrolledattheUniversity. Women’s Issues Advisory Committee—Thiscommitteeservesasanadvocateforfemalefaculty,staff, andstudentsbymonitoringthestatusofwomenoncampusandrecommendingpolicyandactionsthat promoteequityandimprovementinthequalityofthecampusclimateforwomenattheUniversity. University Ombudsman—TheUniversityombudsmanfunctionsonaninformalbasisbyreceiving fromandprovidinginformationtofacultymemberswhenthereisreasonforthefacultymembernot toworkthroughhisorherdepartmentchairordean.Theombudsmanservesasadesignatedneutral, remainingunalignedandimpartialwhilestrivingforfairnessandobjectivityinthetreatmentoffaculty andconsiderationoffacultyissuesattheUniversity. Faculty Salary Equity Oversight Committee—Thiscommitteewascreatedtobeanadvisorycommittee totheprovostregardingmattersofsalaryequityforfaculty.OnanannualbasistheOfficeofInstitutional AssessmentandComplianceperformsastatisticalanalysisoffacultysalaries.Thiscommitteeusesthe resultsoftheanalysistoidentifyfacultywhosesalariesappeartobebelowthoseexpectedforindividuals ofsimilarrank,discipline,timeinservice,andothercharacteristics.Respectivedeansarethenasked toexplainthesecases.Thecommitteethensubmitsareporttotheprovost,whointurnreportstothe facultyoftheUniversitysummarizingthefindings.Thecommitteeconsistsofsixmembers;threeare administratorsselectedbythepresident,andthreearefacultymembersselectedbytheprovost.Where appropriate,salaryequityadjustmentsmaybemade. Faculty Grievance Committee—Thiscommittee,whichisbasedintheOfficeoftheUniversity Ombudsman,considersindividualgrievances,includinggrievancesregardingsalarymatters,brought beforeitbymembersofthefaculty.Whenagrievanceisdeterminedtobewell-founded,thecommittee attemptstoresolvethematterthroughmediationorotherappropriateaction.Thiscommitteeconsistsof nineelectedmembersforstaggeredthree-yeartermsandoneex-officiomemberfromtheFacultySalary EquityOversightCommitteeappointedbytheprovost. Provost Fund—Thisfundwascreatedtoensurecollegedeansareprovidedadditionalone-timeresources tomakecompetitiveofferstooutstandingpotentialfacultywhomaybeclassifiedasbeingfroman underrepresentedgroupforwhichthecollegedeanisattemptingtorecruit.Thesefundsareconsideredas extraincentivefunds. African American Professors Program—TheAfricanAmericanProfessorsProgramisaninitiative sponsoredbytheUniversityofSouthCarolina,theW.K.KellogFoundation,andtheSouthCarolina GeneralAssemblyandisdesignatedtorecruit,train,andprepareAfricanAmericanstudentstobecome collegeanduniversityprofessorsbyassistingthemtoobtaindoctoraldegrees.Thisprogramoriginatedin theDepartmentofEducationalLeadershipandPoliciesintheCollegeofEducationandisnowhousedin theOfficeoftheProvost. 6 Diversity Initiatives and Resources Faculty and Staff Resources Division of Human Resources International Support for Faculty and Staff—This office supports international exchange and ensures compliance with various federal requirements for international faculty and staff at the University. This office provides comprehensive consultation, counseling and support services for U.S. and foreign faculty and staff throughout the eight-campus University system, including the School of Law, School of Medicine, and affiliate institutes. Professional Development—The Office of Professional Development supports the development of knowledgeable, skillful, and productive University employees through lifelong learning. The University’s professional development programs are designed to improve individual and organizational performance and help the University achieve overall institutional goals. Training programs have been carefully developed to help employees increase their effectiveness by building and refining job skills and by gaining greater knowledge of University operations. Developmental programs prepare personnel for increased or new responsibilities and broaden individuals as a whole. Employee Relations—The Employee Relations Office deals with a variety of issues surrounding the work environment of employees on all campuses of the University. Employee relations services include, but are not limited to: n providingindependentcounselingtoemployeesand/orsupervisorstoresolvework-related problemsthatmayrelatedtoperformance-and/ordiscipline-basedissues n mediating disputes and advising all sides involved in matters relating to employee relations and human resources policies n coordinatingEmployeeAssistanceProgram(EAP)services n administering the staff grievance process n monitoringtheEmployeePerformanceManagementSystem(EPMS) n counseling and reviewing reduction-in-force plans (RIF) n administeringtheUniversity’sunemploymentinsuranceprogram. Issuesorproblemsthatariseintheworkplacemaybeaddressedwiththeimmediatesupervisor, departmentchair,ordean.EmployeesalsocanvisittheEmployeeRelationsOfficetoreceiveadvice, counseling,andsuggestionsonhowtodealwithanyworkplaceissue,personalconcern,orproblemswith coworkersand/orsupervisors. Salary Administration Data—TheSalaryAdministrationOfficedirectstheday-to-dayoperationsand long-rangeplanningforallUniversitypersonnelrecordsmanagementanddatastorage,staffclassification andcompensation,facultyandotherunclassifiedcompensation,FTEmanagement,allaspectsof temporarynonstudentemployment,andallmeansofextracompensation. 7 Diversity Initiatives and Resources Student Resources Professional/Graduate and Undergraduate Services and Support Office of Disability Services/Educational Support—TheOfficeofDisabilityServices(ODS)assists studentswithdisabilitiesintheircollegelifeexperiencethroughanintegrationofon-campusservices. Thestaffisavailabletoassiststudentsincoordinatingandobtainingservicesavailablethroughavariety ofUniversitydepartmentsandserviceareas. n Deaf/HardofHearing—Thosedeaf/hardofhearingstudentswhousesignlanguageareprovided interpretersforanyUniversity-sponsoredprogramorservice.TheOfficeofDisabilityServices contractswithappropriateagenciesforinterpretingservices.Studentswhodonotusesign languageareprovidednote-takers.Itisrecommendedthatstudentspresenttheiracademic schedulestotheOfficeofDisabilityServicesinadvanceanduponcompletionofregistration. n LearningDisabilities—Studentswithlearningdisabilitiesareeligibleforavarietyofresources designedtoaccommodatetheirlearningneeds,basedoncurrentdocumentationoftheirdisability. n MobilityImpaired—TheUniversityofSouthCarolinaisprogram-accessibletomobility-impaired students.Limitedmodifiedhousingisavailableinvariousresidencehallsacrossthecampus. Adaptedtransportationisavailableformobility-impairedstudentstoallacademicallyrelated activitiesfrom8a.m.to5p.m.MondaythroughFriday. n VisuallyImpaired—TheOfficeofDisabilityServicesprovidesassistancetostudentswithvisual impairment.Readersandnote-takersarerecruitedasrequestedbystudentseachsemester.Books maybeorderedbystudentsfromRecordingsfortheBlindandDyslexic,andinformationabout otherlibraryservicesisprovideduponrequest. n TheUniversityofSouthCarolina’spolicyistoprovidestudentsapromptandequitablemethod ofresolvingcomplaintsalleginganyactionprohibitedbytheU.S.DepartmentofEducation regulationsimplementingSection504oftheRehabilitationActof1973,asamended(29U.S.C. 794)andtheAmericanswithDisabilitiesActof1990. Adapted Housing—InaccordancewithSection504oftheRehabilitationActof1973andtheAmericans withDisabilitiesActof1990,theUniversityofSouthCarolinaprovidesadaptedhousingforstudentswith physicaldisabilities.StudentswithphysicaldisabilitieswhohavebeenfullyadmittedtotheUniversitymust maketheirneedsforadaptedhousingknowntotheDepartmentofHousingandprovidedocumentationof thedisabilityjustifyingtheneedforadaptedhousingtotheOfficeofDisabilityServices.Ifastudentwitha physicaldisabilityrequiresminorchangesinaroomtoaccommodatespecialsneeds,theOfficeofDisability ServiceswillrecommendtheneededadaptationstotheDepartmentofHousingandtheOfficeofStudent JudicialPrograms. 8 Multicultural Student Affairs—TheOfficeofMulticulturalStudentAffairsprovidesprogramsandservices inordertoproducepositiveeffectsonmulticulturalstudentretentionandsuccess.Theseculturalsupport servicescontributetotheholisticstudentdevelopmentanddiversityeducationfortheUniversityofSouth Carolina.Throughculturalprogramminganddiversityeducationinitiatives,theofficepromotesaninclusive environmentwhilefosteringanappreciationforeachstudent’sindividuality.Theofficestaffmembers serveasadvisorstoseveralsupportgroups.Theseorganizationsarehousedinthedepartmentandinclude theAssociationofAfricanAmericanStudents,NationalAssociationforAdvancementofColoredPeople, StudentsAssociationforLatinAmerica,TheChosenGospelEnsemble,TheBrothersofNubianDescent, SAVVY,MinorityAssistancePeerProgram,EMPOWER,VentureScholarsProgram,theAfricanAmerican MaleInstitute,TRIO,ChicNaissance,andtheBisexual,Gay,Lesbian,andStraightAlliance. Diversity Initiatives and Resources Student Resources The Carolinian Creed—TheCarolinianCreedwasauthorizedbytheDivisionofStudentAffairsand approvedbytheFacultySenate,theStudentSenate,andtheBoardofTrustees.TheCarolinianCreedis acodeofcivilitythatrequirescommitmenttopersonalandacademicexcellence.Studentschoosingto attendtheUniversityareobligatedtoacodeofcivilizedbehaviorandmustsignthecreeduponadmission. AsaCarolinian,membershipintheCarolinaCommunityisnotwithoutitsobligations.Itisassumedor understoodthatjoiningisevidenceofasubscriptiontocertainidealsandanagreementtostriveforthe levelofachievementandvirtuesuggestedbytheCarolinianCreed: n Iwillpracticepersonalandacademicintegrity. n Iwillrespectthedignityofallpersons. n Iwillrespecttherightsandpropertyofothers. n Iwilldiscouragebigotry,whilestrivingtolearnfromdifferencesinpeople,ideas,andopinions. n Iwilldemonstrateconcernforothers,theirfeelings,andtheirneedforconditionswhichsupport theirworkanddevelopment. Speech and Hearing Center—TheSpeechandHearingCenterprovidesdiagnosticandtherapeutic servicesforstudentswhosuspectahearing,speech,orlanguageproblems. Religious Life—Manyandvariedopportunitiesforreligiousworship,study,andactivityareprovided. Ordainedchaplains,otherUniversity-recognizedreligiouscounselors,andstudentleadersfromvarious denominations,faiths,andorganizationsservethecampusandareavailabletostudentsaspastors, mentors,andcounselors.ThemembersofCarolinaCampusMinistriesareprofessionalministersand directorsofreligiousgroups,eitherhousedintheirowncentersorusingspaceoncampusfortheirevents; othersarestudentsintheUniversitywhodirectandcoordinateactivitiesamongtheirpeers.Activitiesand eventsareopentoallstudentswithoutregardtoreligiousbeliefs. Committee on Academic Responsibility—Thiscommitteeconsidershearingappealsofcasesdecidedin collegeacademicresponsibilitycommitteeswheneitherpartytothecaseformallyappealsonthegrounds that(a)thedecisionwascontrarytotheevidence;(b)thesanctionimposedisunreasonable,unjust,or inappropriate;or(c)thehearingprocedureswereviolated.Thecommitteeismadeupoffivefaculty,two graduatestudents,andtwoundergraduatestudentsandaddressespurelyacademicgrievances. Sexual Assault Policies and Services—Asamatterofpolicy,thefaculty,staff,andstudentsthatcomprise theUniversitycommunitywillnottoleratesexualassault.TheOfficeforSexualHealthandViolence Prevention,whichmaybeutilizedbyallmembersoftheUniversity,isopen24hoursaday,sevendaysa week.ThisofficewillassistmembersoftheUniversitywithidentifyingresourcesforvictims/survivorsof sexualassaultwithcrisisintervention,judicialprocesses,andprovideeducationalprograms.Thisofficealso assistsincoordinatingallotherrelatedservicesforvictims. Student Retention Committee—Thepurposeofthiscommitteeistomonitorstudentretentionand developanunderstandingofwhyacertainnumberleavetheUniversityeachyearandtosupportprograms tokeepstudentsinattendance.Thecommitteemembersarecomposedof10facultyandstaffmembers andfourstudents,andthestudentbodypresidentandvicepresidentserveasex-officiomembers. 9 Diversity Initiatives and Resources Student Resources Student Ombudsman—TheStudentombudsmanservesastheliaisonwithacademicandserviceunits onstudentacademicissuesandgrievances;coordinatesdivisionalandinstitutionalresponsesonroutine, nonacademicgrievances;andcounselsstudentsonpoliciesandproceduresforbothacademicand nonacademicconcerns.Theysendoutnoticestofacultywhenastudentisabsentfromclassformedical reasons,duetodeathinthefamily,familyemergencies,etc. Sexual Harassment Policy—Academicandemploymentdiscriminationonthebasisofrace,color, religion,nationalorigin,gender,age,anddisablingconditionsviolatesfederallaw,statelaw,andUniversity policy.“Sexualharassment”isaparticularformofgenderdiscrimination,distinctiveinbothcharacteristic andquality.ThepurposeofthispolicyistodefinesexualharassmentinboththeUniversityemployment andacademiccontexts,toprovideproceduresfortheinvestigationofsexualharassmentclaims,andto ensurethatviolationsarefullyremedied,whilealsoprotectingtheconstitutionalandacademicrightsof everymemberofthiscommunity. Illegal Harassment Policy—SeeEEOpolicythatprohibitsharassmentbaseduponrace,color,religion, nationalorigin,sex,sexualorientation,disability,orveteranstatus. Veterans Services—Institutionsofhigherlearninghavingstudentsenrolledwhoarepursuingan educationalobjectiveandreceivingeducationalassistancefromtheVeteransAdministration(VA)under theprovisionsofChapters30,31,32,35,or106,Title38,UnitedStatesCode,arerequiredbyFederal VARegulationstosetstandardsofprogressandsubmitthemtotheLicenseDivisionoftheSouth CarolinaCommissiononHigherEducationforapproval.Thestandardsofprogressare: n gradingsystem n probationaryperiod n conditionfordismissalandreentry n conductofstudentsandcircumstancesfordismissal n recordskeptbytheschool n attendancepolicy. Academicstandardsofprogressandattendancearecoveredunderschoolstandardsofprogressasspecified bytheSouthCarolinaStateApprovingAgency(SAA)andrequiredbytheU.S.DepartmentofVeterans Affairs(DVA).TheUniversity’sOfficeofVeteransServicesensurescompliancewiththesepolicies. 10 Diversity Initiatives and Resources Student Resources Student Grievance Committee (nonacademic)—Thepurposeofthiscommitteeistoreviewtheproblems thatstudentshaveconcerningvariousissues.Thecommitteemembersconsistoffivefacultyandstaff membersandtwostudentswhohandlenonacademicgrievances. Women’s Student Services—MorethanhalfofthestudentsattheUniversityofSouthCarolinaare women.Aspecialofficedesignedtoaddresstheneedsandconcernsoffemalestudentsbothonand offcampusistheOfficeofWomen’sStudentServices.Thisofficeprovidesacentralpointoncampus forinformation,referralservices,andeducationalprogramsrelatedtogenderissues.Programsinclude Connections,awomen’smentoringprogram,andWomen’sHistoryMonth.TheWomen’sStudent Associationisalsoadvisedthroughthisoffice. International Programs for Students—InternationalProgramsforStudentsprovidesawiderangeof servicesforinternationalstudents,includingpre-arrivalinformation,orientationprograms,immigration advising,personalassistance,andstudentprogramsandactivities.Theofficeisstaffedbyprofessionalswith specializedtrainingandexpertiseinworkingwithinternationalstudentsattheUniversity. Study Abroad—InternationalProgramsforStudentsoffersagreatvarietyofstudyabroadandexchange opportunitiesforstudentswhowishtostudyinanothercountry.Suchstudyprogramsareavailable forbothundergraduateandgraduatestudents.Thelengthofthestudyabroadprogrammaybeforthe academicyear,onesemester,orashort-termprogramduringthesummer.TheStudyAbroadOffice providesguidancetostudentsconsideringstudyabroadandmaintainsaresourcelibrarywithinformation aboutprogramofferingsandfinancialaidattheUniversity. 11 Diversity Goals T heUniversityofSouthCarolina,consistentwithitsacademicmissionofeducatingthestate’sdiverse citizensandstudentsthroughteaching,research,andservice,iscommittedtoachievingexcellence throughdiversity.Asacommunitymadeupofdiversefaculty,staff,andstudentsengagedinresearch, scholarship,teachingandlearning,weshallcontinuetobeaglobalenterprisethatcreatesandfostersan environmentthatenhancesthehumanpotentialofallmembersofourcommunityasitrelatestothe achievementofourmission. TheUniversityofSouthCarolinahasmadegreatprogressintheareaofdiversityduringthepast30 years;however,werealizewehavemuchmoretoaccomplish,andwearededicatedtobuildinguponour progressthroughtheestablishmentandrefinementofouron-goinggoals. Goal 1 Wewillcontinuetobuildandmaintainacampusenvironmentthatisinclusive,safe,andrespectful forallpersonsandonethatfullyembracestheCarolinianCreed. Goal 2 Wewillcontinuetoenhanceandprovideequalaccessandequalopportunitytoallouracademic programs,facilities,andservices,includingemployment,forallpersonswithoutregardtorace,color, creed,religion,nationalorigin,sex,age,disabilitystatus,veteranstatus,orsexualorientation. Goal 3 Wewillcontinuetoprovidediversityeducation,orientation,training,andlearningexperiences thatenhanceourawarenessofmulticulturalissuesandimproveourinterpersonalskillsandprovide cross-group-learningforourfaculty,staff,andstudents. Goal 4 Wewillcontinuetoaggressivelyrecruit,employ,andretainadiversecommunityoffaculty,staff,and studentsthatisconsistentwithouracademicmissionandcreateanenvironmentinwhichteaching, research,andservicewillflourishfreefromracism,sexism,andotherformsofprejudice,intolerance, orharassment. 12 TheUniversityofSouthCarolinadoesnotdiscriminateineducationaloremploymentopportunitiesordecisionsforqualifiedpersonsonthebasisofrace,color,religion,sex, nationalorigin,age,disability,sexualorientation,orveteranstatus.TheUniversityofSouthCarolinahasdesignatedastheADATitleII,Section504,andTitleIXcoordinator theExecutiveAssistanttothePresidentforEqualOpportunityPrograms.TheOfficeoftheExecutiveAssistanttothePresidentforEqualOpportunityProgramsislocatedat 1600HamptonStreet,Suite805,Columbia,SC;telephone803-777-3854.10089UniversityPublications2/10 OfficeofEqualOpportunityPrograms 1600HamptonStreet,Suite805 Columbia,SC29208 803-777-3854 www.sc.edu/eop