The Office of Equal Opportunity & Diversity reports to the President and is charged with the day-to-day implementation of equal opportunity and diversity policies.
The major responsibilities of the Office of Equal Opportunity & Diversity are to educate the University and the community regarding affirmative action, equal employment opportunity laws, supporting and encouraging diversity initiatives, and to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. The office also conducts educational outreach programs and training in the areas of equity and diversity.
The primary goal of the Office of Equal Opportunity & Diversity is to provide an environment that is free of discrimination regarding race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability or veteran's status. The initial effort to obtain this goal is to inform all executives, administrators and supervisors of employment law requirements regarding affirmative action/equal opportunity.
The Office of Equal Opportunity & Diversity is responsible for procedures that ensure that diversity exists in applicant pools for University positions. The University maintains a list of local public and private organizations that serve protected group members. Information regarding employment opportunities are routinely provided to these organizations.
In addition, the Office of Equal Opportunity & Diversity serves as the University's liaison to local organizations which represent the interests of minorities, women, veterans and the disabled populations. All inquiries for information regarding the employment of members of these groups are processed through our office.
Investigation of complaints concerning discrimination based on race, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, disability, religion, color, sexual orientation or veterans’ status are performed by the Office of Equal Opportunity & Diversity. However, it is not appropriate for the Office of Equal Opportunity & Diversity to address concerns related to academic criteria. Complaints of this nature are handled in accordance with Article IX of YSU’s The Code: A Handbook of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct. When addressing concerns related to affirmative action, this office will encourage "win-win" resolutions. Such results reinforce affirmative action and equal opportunity philosophies.
The Director and Staff members:
- Participate in the development of University policy statements pertaining to equal opportunity and diversity
- Participate in establishing department affirmative action goals and objectives
- Develop action-orientated programs to attain established goals and objectives
- Design and implement auditing and reporting systems to measure the effectiveness of the affirmative action programs in its annual Affirmative Action Plan
- Participate in identifying problem areas of discrimination or inequity and determine appropriate solutions and/or corrective actions
- Ensure that University employment policies and programs are in compliance with revelant regulations and guidelines, including those of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Office of Civil Rights (OCR) and Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC); and coordinate compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
- Educate the university community on the importance of diversity in our teaching and learning, curriculum, assessment, campus-community connections, climate, student success and advising.
- Collaborate with campus and community leaders in developing diversity programs and activities that promote a better understanding of the diverse nature of the valley.
Efforts to create a discrimination free environment at YSU is an on-going task for the Office of Equal Opportunity & Diversity. The support of the University and community, however, are necessary to achieve these goals.
