Clemson University
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

1. https://www.clemson.edu/campus-life/campus-services/access/non-discrimination-policy.html 2. Statement: Clemson University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, age, disability, veteran’s status, genetic information or protected activity (e.g., opposition to prohibited discrimination or participation in any complaint process, etc.) in employment, educational programs and activities, admissions and financial aid. This includes a prohibition against sexual harassment and sexual violence as mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

a. Protocol: https://www.clemson.edu/campus-life/campus-services/access/procedure.html b. Report Form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?ClemsonUniv c. These procedures apply to complaints of harassment/discrimination based on age, color, disability, sex (including sexual harassment and sexual violence complaints that fall under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972), gender, pregnancy, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran’s status, genetic information or protected activity (e.g., opposition to prohibited discrimination or participation in the statutory complaint process, etc.). Such incidents of harassment/discrimination should be reported to the Office of Access and Equity, 110 Holtzendorff Hall, telephone: 864-656-3181 (voice) and 864-656-0899 (TDD). Upon notification of a complaint alleging a violation of any of the policies identified above (including allegations of sexual discrimination/sexual violence), designated professional staff in the Office of Access and Equity will review the complaint and determine the appropriate action to pursue. Upon receiving an official complaint, the Office of Access and Equity will initiate a reliable, impartial and prompt investigation into the allegations following the process below. The purpose of the complaint process is to (1) determine whether the alleged conduct occurred, (2) if yes, determine if the conduct constitutes harassment/discrimination under the Clemson University policy, (3) if yes, determine what actions will be taken to end the harassment/discrimination, eliminate any hostile environment and prevent its recurrence.

Students, Faculty, & Staff: http://www.clemson.edu/campus-life/campus-services/access/ The Office of Access and Equity is focused on the development of policy, procedures, programs and services related to equality of opportunity in employment, business access, admissions, retention, academics, advancement and general treatment for faculty, staff, students and visitors. Access and Equity monitors the University’s compliance with all federal, state and University policies related to equitable treatment and unlawful discrimination. Access and Equity accomplishes its mission through the implementation of activities in four main areas: Compliance, Education and Training, Outreach Programs and Research and Evaluation. Students: a. One specific Outreach Program - the Emerging Scholars Program - helps underrepresented local students from South Carolina’s economically disadvantaged I-95 corridor learn what it takes to go to college (http://www.clemsonemergingscholars.org/). Academic preparation, leadership skills and the college application process are all covered. Students stay on Clemson’s campus several times throughout the program and program staff works directly with students in their schools and community. b. Another Outreach Program – the Tiger Alliance (https://www.clemson.edu/inclusion/summit/tiger-alliance.html) - is a college-access program designed to help create pathways to college and build a college-going culture for African-American and Hispanic high school students in the Upstate of South Carolina. Program participants benefit from access to information about college fairs and expos, a mentoring relationship with a current college student, college-prep workshops, college tours, and attendance at the Men of Color National Summit hosted by Clemson University. Faculty/Staff: a. One specific Outreach Program targeting employees is the Pathfinder Program (https://www.clemson.edu/inclusion/pathfinder/), a 2 ½ day campus visitation program for doctoral students and post-doctoral scholars who are interested in pursuing academic careers and are approximately 1-2 years away from beginning their job search. This program aims to promote diversity among Clemson University’s faculty applicant pool and give scholars an inside look at what life could be like as a faculty member at Clemson. The program includes academically focused workshops, networking events, tours of campus, roundtable discussions, sharing of research, and more.

Students: Various programs exist on campus to support students from underrepresented groups along their academic journeys. A selection of these programs follows: 1. PEER & WISE (https://www.clemson.edu/cecas/departments/peer-wise/) a. The mission of Programs for Educational Enrichment and Retention (PEER) and Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) is to educate, recruit, and retain underrepresented populations in STEM fields through mentoring, academic coaching, counseling, and academic enrichment. 2. Clemson LIFE (https://www.clemson.edu/education/culife/) a. The ClemsonLIFE program at Clemson University is designed for students with intellectual disabilities who desire a postsecondary experience on a college campus. The mission is to offer a collegiate experience that prepares young men and women with intellectual disabilities for competitive employment and independent living through a combination of academic coursework and career exploration. 3. MSSI (http://www.clemsonmssi.org/) a. The Minority Student Success Initiative is dedicated to providing the opportunities that help to ensure the academic success of the University’s underrepresented students. Students are exposed to personal and professional networks to improve academic and social experiences during their time at Clemson. 4. Clemson FIRST (https://www.clemson.edu/academics/programs/first/) a. The FIRST Program helps ensure success for first-generation students - those who are the first in their family to attend college. FIRST helps these students adjust to the college experience by offering a variety of opportunities and resources, from academic support to social activities. New freshman and transfer students are invited to apply and use the resources and opportunities FIRST provides. FIRST participation continues throughout a student’s time at Clemson. Programs include: a. Academic support: Daily study halls, free tutoring, study-skills and time-management workshops, test bank b. Success support: Referrals to research internships, workshops for college success, guest speakers, career exploration opportunities c. Social support: Off-campus excursions, FIRST In Line electronic newsletter, announcements on campus activities, student lounge, social activities Faculty & Staff: 1. The President’s Commission on Black Faculty and Staff (https://www.clemson.edu/administration/commissions/black-commission/) a. The Commission is charged with documenting the status of black faculty and staff and advising the President with specific recommendations for increasing diversity and enhancing the quality of life among black employees in the University's workforce. 2. The Commission on Latino Affairs a. The Commission falls under the purview of the Office of the President and works to develop university, community, and P-12 school partnerships to expand understanding of Latino issues. It shall also promote a sense of urgency and action to educate Latinos across the P-20 spectrum and to further the understanding of the diversity of the Latino community. 3. The Commission on the Status of Women a. President’s Commission on the Status of Women was established at Clemson to improve the quality of life for women at Clemson. The commission’s charge is to discern the status of women at Clemson University and document findings; discover and pursue the removal of institutional barriers; collect information and conduct research regarding issues that affect women, including the study of practices followed by commissions on women at other universities; and explore problem areas that limit equal opportunities and advancement. The commission publicizes the role of the University in improving the status of women at all levels. 5. The President’s LGBTQ Commission (https://www.clemson.edu/president/lgbtq/index.html) a. The purpose of a Clemson University President’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Commission is to serve in an advisory capacity to the university administrators, faculty, staff, and students regarding matters which affect the LGBTQ people. More specifically, the objectives of the Commission are to: - Create a welcoming environment that supports both inclusion and diversity. - Collect information and/or conduct research regarding climate and issues which affect the LGBTQ campus community. - Make recommendations regarding the policies, procedures, and practices which affect the LGBTQ campus community, with the goal of improving access and opportunities. - Ensure that the university appropriately addresses issues of equity, safety, and welfare of LGBTQ faculty, staff, students, and guests. - Advise the university administration, faculty, and staff on matters pertaining to the LGBTQ campus community. - Establish and maintain strong collaborative partnerships with organizations and entities which support the purpose, mission and vision of the Commission and the University such as Clemson Alumni Society for Equality (CASE), Clemson Sexuality and Gender Alliance (CU SAGA), and other LGBTQ student organizations.