Black Hills State University
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

BHSU Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice
BHSU has the responsibility to protect every student's right to learn in an environment free from unlawful discrimination. Through the South Dakota Board of Regent policy 1:19, BHSU upholds several Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities. BHSU is committed to ensuring equal access to education and promoting educational excellence.

Discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin are prohibited by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This includes discrimination based on a person’s limited English proficiency or English learner and/or perceived shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, including membership in a religion that may be perceived to exhibit such characteristics (such as Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh individuals).

Discrimination on the basis of sex is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. This includes discrimination based on pregnancy, parental status, and sex stereotypes (such as treating persons differently because they do not conform to sex-role expectations or because they are attracted to or are in relationships with persons of the same sex).

Discrimination against persons with disabilities is prohibited by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. This includes discrimination against individuals currently without an impairment that substantially limits major life activity, but who have a record of or are regarded as having a disability.

Discrimination on the basis of age is prohibited by the Age Discrimination Act of 1975.

As a recipient of federal financial assistance, BHSU must provide aid, benefits, or services in a nondiscriminatory manner in an environment free from discriminatory harassment that limits educational opportunities. Such aids, benefits, or services may include but are not limited to, admissions, recruitment, financial aid, academic programs, student treatment and services, counseling and guidance, discipline, classroom assignment, grading, vocational education, recreation, physical education, athletics, and housing.

The Office of Human Resources -- employment matters related to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action
The Office of Disability Services -- questions or concerns related to reasonable accommodations
The Office of Title IX -- matters related to sexual harassment

https://www.bhsu.edu/president/title-ix/#:~:text=Non%2DDiscrimination,discrimination%20in%20programs%20or%20activities.

BHSU Student Handbook Non-Discrimination Notice
Non-Discrimination Notice
Black Hills State University is committed to providing a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for our students, staff,
and faculty. To this end, the University takes seriously allegations of sexual violence, including sexual harassment, sexual
assault and other forms of interpersonal violence including stalking, domestic violence and dating violence. Black Hills
State University seeks to keep all students, staff and faculty informed of the resources available to them to help prevent
or, if the situation warrants, report and respond to an incident of sexual violence.

https://www.bhsu.edu/Student-Life/_docs/Student-Handbook.pdf

Any alleged discrimination goes through HR and to the South Dakota Board of Regents investigator who always conducts an investigation. Then HR addresses whether the case is one of discrimination or whether it is just a personnel matter that should be addressed by the supervisor.

Additionally, The Students of Concern Committee meets weekly to address the needs of struggling students. In part, they address any need for bolstering inclusion.

The university has a contract with Lighthouse, an online service for those who wish to make anonymous ethics complaints. This service is available following the Title IX and Human Resources web pages.

To satisfy an action item from the current Strategic Plan, the campus is creating an anonymous, electronic suggestion box. Items will go to the university’s administration team for review and resolution.

Student complains related to DEI (as well as other matters) frequently go through the Dean of Students, who works with faculty, staff and students to resolve concerns.

Our largest underrepresented group is supported by the Center for American Indian Studies, which assists with recruitment and focuses on retention of native students. It provides workshops, academic advising, social support, workspace, and student activities.

Additionally, the TRO program supports underrepresented students who are first-generation college students and students with learning disabilities.

Various institutional scholarships require recipients come from underrepresented groups. Information about these scholarships is used in recruitment.

To help recruit faculty from underrepresented groups, search committees for faculty positions must explain their choices about whom to interview if that group appears not to be adequately diverse.

Black Hills State University sponsors an on campus Center for American Indian Studies. The center performs multiple duties including the administration of academic programs, promoting cultural awareness, recruiting and retaining American Indian Students, acting as a liaison between the University and Tribal Governments, as well as supporting and encouraging research relating to all aspects of American Indian culture. The center also supports two student organizations, The Lakota Omniciye and the American Indian Science and Engineering Society.