I. Policy Statement - Equal Opportunity-Nondiscrimination:

California Government Code states that, "no person in the State of California shall, on the basis of ethnic group identification, religion, age, sex, color, or physical or mental disability, be unlawfully denied the benefits of, or be unlawfully subjected to discrimination under, any program or activity that is funded directly by, or that receives any financial assistance from the State." The Board of Governors of the California Community colleges has adopted regulations implementing this statute (Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations).

In addition, the Fair Employment and Housing Act outlaws employment discrimination based on sex, race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age (over 40), physical handicap, medical condition (cancer related), or marital status.

Through the policies and procedures set forth, the Redwoods Community College District will endeavor to comply fully with these laws, and with all applicable federal, state, and local laws relating to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination. College of the Redwoods is committed to equal opportunity in employment, admissions, and in the conduct of all of its programs and activities.

Specifically, College of the Redwoods subscribes to a policy of equal opportunity and nondis­crimination for students, employees, and job applicants in the following areas:

A. Equal Employment Opportunity

The District affirms its commitment to equal employment opportunity and diversity , and this policy is incorporated into all aspects of personnel policy and practice for all administrators, faculty, and classified employees. (Board Policy 301/402.)

B. Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices

All employment practices, including recruitment, selection, promotion, transfer, training, assignment, job classification, termination, and all other employment procedures shall be based on job-related factors and shall be free of discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, handicap, medical condition (cancer related), status as a Vietnam-era or disabled veteran, marital status, or other factors which cannot lawfully be the basis for an employment decision. This policy applies to all levels of employment procedure and to all position classifications.

C. Equal Educational Opportunity

All college programs, classes, and activities sponsored by, or conducted at, College of the Redwoods shall be available to all qualified persons without regard to ethnic group identification, religion, sex, age, color, marital status, or handicap; and no otherwise qualified persons shall be denied the benefits of, nor be subjected to discrimination in, any community college program or activity based on the above discrimination categories. Unless specifically exempted by statute, every course, section or class shall be fully open to enrollment and participation by any person who has been admitted to the college and who has met the academic prerequisites. ( Calif. Education Code, Sec. 230, Title 5, Sec. 59301).

D. Nondiscrimination in the Provision of Institutional Services to the Public

College of the Redwoods adheres to a policy of nondiscrimination in the services it provides to the public and in the services provided by others using Redwoods Community College District facilities.

E. Unlawful Discrimination

College of the Redwoods endeavors to provide students and employees with an educational and work environment free from sexual harassment and other prohibited discrimination. While on the campus, college employees and students are expected to adhere to a standard of conduct that is respectful and courteous to fellow employees and students, and to the public. The District will not tolerate sexual harassment or any other form of unlawful discrimination in any employment setting or in any academic program or activity. The District statement on Sexual Harassment is located in Administrative Reg. 809.02.

F. Reasonable Accommodation

College of the Redwoods will provide reasonable accommodation for disabled students and employees.

II. Policy Statement on Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity (Board Policy 301/402)

A. California Education Code, Section 51010 states that, the governing board of a community college shall adopt a district policy which describes its equal opportunity and diversity in employment.

B. It is the intention of the College to maintain policy and practice that commits to equal employment opportunity and diversity of the entire staff of the College.

1. Except where "business necessity" dictates, all positions shall be subject to open recruitment, and vacancies will be widely advertised.

III. Student Diversity

The District affirms its commitment to actively recruit, enroll, and employ students without discrimination.

The District will make continuing effort to see that there are no artificial barriers to the representation of minority, disabled, economically, educationally, or socially disadvantaged persons, and will provide special assistance to facilitate continual educational progress for these and all students.

IV. Equal Pay Policy

College of the Redwoods is committed to the principle and practice of equal pay for equal work as required by the Equal Pay Act of 1963, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.

A. In no case will College of the Redwoods pay similarly qualified individuals performing substantially the same work under comparable conditions of job tenure, differing wages on the basis of sex or any other factor not permitted by law.

V. District Responsibility for Compliance with Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Laws

Overall responsibility for ensuring Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination, and for improving diversity in the student body rests with the Board of Trustees and the President/Superintendent.

In the Redwoods Community College District, the District Officer assigned the responsibility for ensuring compliance with the laws, rules, and regulations regarding unlawful discrimination is the Human Resources Director/EEO.

 

 

(California Government Code 11135-11139.5, and 12900-12996; Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Section 53000-53052 and 59300-59362; Title 2, California Code of Regulations, Section 7285-7296; Equal Pay Act, 1963)

Adopted by Board of Trustees: August 15, 1977

Amended: November 5, 1979 ; July 7, 1986 ; March 7, 1988 ; March 4, 1991 ; February 4, 2003