DIVISION OF FINANCE
HANDLING SENSITIVE MATTERS
OR
“I can’t believe she just told me that!”
June 26, 2012
Texas A&M University, Human Resources
Sensitive Stuff? What Areas?
The Bucket is Bigger!

Civil Rights
 Title
VII
 Other protected classes
 Title IX


Clery Act
President Loftin’s Letter
 Abuse
Human Resources
Handling Sensitive Matters
Reporting Policy
06/26/2012
Page 2
System Regulation 08.01.01,
Civil Rights Compliance

The A&M System will provide equal
opportunity to all employees, students,
applicants and the public regardless of:
 Race
Title VII to the Civil Rights Act
of 1964
 Color
 Religion
 Sex
 National
Human Resources
Handling Sensitive Matters
Origin
06/26/2012
Page 3
System Regulation 08.01.01 (continued)

The A&M System will provide equal opportunity to all
employees, students, applicants and the public
regardless of:
 Disability:
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA as
amended)
 Age:
Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)
 Genetic
Information: Genetic Information
Nondiscrimination Act (GINA)
 Veteran
Status: Uniformed Services
Employment and Re-employment Rights Act
(USERRA)
Human Resources
Handling Sensitive Matters
06/26/2012
Page 4
Employee Responsibilities

System Regulation 08.01.01, Civil Rights
Compliance, subsection 2.1:
 When alleged or suspected discrimination,
sexual harassment and related retaliation is
experienced or observed or made known to
an employee, the employee is responsible for
reporting that information…
Human Resources
Handling Sensitive Matters
06/26/2012
Page 5
What else is part of Civil Rights?

Title IX of the Education Amendments of
1972
 “No person in the United States shall, on the
basis of sex, be excluded from participation in,
be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to
discrimination under any education program
or activity receiving Federal financial
assistance.”
 Primarily focused on issues involving students
 Strict reporting requirements
Human Resources
Handling Sensitive Matters
06/26/2012
Page 6
What else should be on our radar screen?

Clery Act:
Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security
Policy and Crime Statistics Act
 Promotes
a safe and secure campus
 Provides students and their families with
accurate, complete and timely information about
crime and campus safety so that they can make
informed decisions
 Requires all institutions to
collect crime reports from
a variety of individuals
Human Resources
Handling Sensitive Matters
06/26/2012
Page 7
President Loftin’s Letter November 18, 2011



Employees urged to report suspected instances
of abuse, neglect or exploitation to law
enforcement.
State law requires reporting to law enforcement
if a child’s physical or mental health or welfare is
adversely affected by abuse or neglect.
Instances of workplace abuse, neglect or
exploitation are expected to be reported to
supervisor and at least one other official within
the chain of command.
Human Resources
Handling Sensitive Matters
06/26/2012
Page 8
What to do?

If you become aware of an issue that could:
 Be
a violation of System Civil Rights Regulation
or Title IX
 Be reportable under the Clery Act
 Fall under Dr. Loftin’s letter regarding abuse
reporting
REPORT IT!
Human Resources
Handling Sensitive Matters
06/26/2012
Page 9
Who to report to?

Civil Rights (based on who the alleged offender is):
– Dean of Faculties
 Staff – Human Resources, Employee Relations
 Students – Offices of the Dean of Student Life
 Faculty

Clery Act:
 If
an emergency, contact University Police Dept.
 Appropriate office above

Suspected Abuse:
 Law
Enforcement & appropriate office above if in
the workplace
Human Resources
Handling Sensitive Matters
06/26/2012
Page 10
Any Questions?
Tom Owen
Policy and Practice Review
Director
979.862.3331
towen1@tamu.edu
Human Resources
Handling Sensitive Matters
06/26/2012
Page 11