Eastern Kentucky University
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Eastern Kentucky University (the “University”) adheres to all federal and state civil rights laws banning discrimination in public educational institutions.The University prohibits discrimination against any employee, applicant for employment, student,or applicant for admission on the basis of age(40 and over), race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, ethnicity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and/or genetic information. This policy also prohibits aiding or inciting another person or persons to violate this policy. The University prohibits Retaliation against those members of the campus community who participate in any complaint process under this policy,1.4.1.R Response to Non-Discrimination and Harassment Regulation or administered by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Kentucky Commission for Human Rights (KCHR), the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), and local civil rights agencies. The University affirms its commitment to promote the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the educational enterprise. The University may respond to any incident or behavior that could have an on-campus impact or otherwise infringes upon the educational mission of the University,even if the incident or behavior occurred off-campus or online. Reports of Discrimination, Harassment,and/or Retaliation should be made to the Office of Equity and Inclusion or the Title IX Coordinator/Deputy Coordinators promptly, but there is no time limitation on the filing of complaints with the University. All reports are acted upon in a timely manner and every effort is made, to the extent permitted by law, to maintain privacy. Reports of Discrimination on the part of the Title IX Coordinator or the Executive Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion (“OEI”) should be reported to the President in Coates 107, 859-622-2101. The University affirms its commitment to a fair, equitable, and transparent process that respects due-process rights. This policy applies when the Executive Director of OEI or the Title IX Coordinator determines that the conduct relates to a Protected Class or to Protected Behavior and includes: a) Any action that constitutes a criminal offense as defined by law. This includes, but is not limited to, single or repeat violations of any local, state, or federal law committed in the municipality where the University or any of its extended campuses is located, or committed while representing the University or when participating in University-associated events or programs regardless of the location; and b) Any situation that is detrimental to the interests of the University. Any online postings (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, etc.) or other electronic communication by students or employees occurring completely outside of the University’s control (e.g., not on University-owned or operated computing hardware, networks, websites, or between/among University email accounts) will be subject to this policy when those online behaviors can be shown to relate to membership in a Protected Class and cause a substantial disruption to the University’s educational, employment, residential, or social environment. Off-campus discriminatory or harassing speech by employees may be regulated by the University when such speech is made in an employee’s official or work-related capacity and/or when such speech causes a disruption to the educational or work environment http://policies.eku.edu/sites/policies.eku.edu/files/policies/non-discrim_harassment_policy_bor_02.10.16.pdf#_ga=1.161156029.1827492193.1467905523

The Office of Equity and Inclusion ("OEI") performs the following four functions in service to the University community: •Affirmative Action Plan The Office of Equity and Inclusion is responsible for developing the University's Affirmative Action Plan and for maintaining data on all employment activity. The staff reviews University policies, practices, and procedures for EO/AA compliance. •Non-Discrimination and Harassment Policy The Office of Equity and Inclusion administers the University's Non-Discrimination and Harassment Policy. Students and employees should direct complaints of alleged discrimination/harassment to the Office of Equity and Inclusion. The office investigates complaints that are made on the basis of age (40 and over), race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, ethnicity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and/or genetic information. In an instance where bias, discrimination, or hate crime is implicated employees are directed to EKU's Employee Resource Center which provides information on the pursuit of legal action as well as counseling. Resource sheets are also provided to all students and employees which includes information about local resources available to assist in times of need such as the Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center and KY Bar Association. Example: If a faculty were to complain about a tenure decision being made based on racism, the Office of Equity & Inclusion will conduct an investigation into the situation and direct that employee to the Employee Resource Center. If bias or racism was determined to have impacted the decision, corrective action will be taken. The Student Counseling Center is a resource for students who have experienced a bias incident or an act of discrimination. The University Police department is also available if safety is implicated as a concern. •Recruitment and Selection Practices The Office of Equity and Inclusion monitors the University's recruitment and selection activities for EO/AA compliance. Additionally, OEI is available to provide trainings and meet one-on-one with search committees. •Trainings and Educational Programs The Office of Equity and Inclusion contracts with Work Place Answers to provide online trainings covering discrimination and hasrassment based on protected classes as well as sexual harassment. OEI staff presents to classes and departments upon request. Additionally, OEI is available to participate in orientation sessions. ONLINE FORM: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?EasternKentuckyUniv&layout_id=10

EKU HR has expanded their posting of job openings to more diverse organizations. The University have created several position within the Admission's Office to increase underrepresented minority (URM) recruitment: Student Recruitment Specialist, Diversity; Latino Recruitment & Retention Specialist; International Admissions Advisor; Diversity Recruiter; Assistant Director for Diverse Student Retention. Specific Initiatives: Faculty: i. Diversity Office supported the hiring of underrepresented faculty with incentive funds for the faculty members and their departments. ii. Professional Development Funds used to offset expenses of presenting at professional conferences iii. Diverse Mini-Grants for Faculty – which can be used to support bringing future faculty members to campus Faculty & Staff: iv. Membership & participation in the Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC) - A national organization that works to reach local publications that target diverse groups when posting job positions. v. Niche marketing - EKU targets topically related diverse publications when posting specific job opportunities. vi. Veterans - EKU targets veterans groups in posting job opportunities nationally, locally, and through on campus veterans organizations. Students: i. EKU Admissions Office hired Tichaedza Chikuni, Senior Recruitment Specialist, Diversity who targets underrepresented populations ii. EKU offers the SMART Program – to support recruitment of out-of-state underrepresented groups by iii. Attend EKU for less than attending many schools in your home state. iv. $10,000 Annual Tuition v. For new undergraduates entering EKU in the fall of 2018, the SMART Program will save them nearly $8,000 off annual out-of-state tuition costs. Students from SMART-designated states who have a high school GPA of 2.5 and an ACT composite of 18 or SAT total of 940 or higher will be charged a tuition of $5,000 per semester ($10,000 per year). vi. Qualified transfer students whose home of record (residency) is one of the SMART states may transfer to EKU and participate in the SMART program. Transfer students receiving the SMART Rate are not eligible for other transfer scholarships but may qualify for federal aid as well as departmental scholarships and foundation scholarships offered by EKU. c. EKU hosts a Latino summer camp – ‘Camino Camp’ – a hands –on preview of college life for Latino/a students. http://caminocamp.eku.edu/ Contact Sarah Pitt to ask about this one

EKU's student support initiatives include: Freshman Academy - The Freshman Academy for Diverse Students is an interactive learning experience that promotes the retention of all students, with particular focus on minority students. (http://freshmanacademy.eku.edu/freshman-academy-registration#_ga=1.241587522.1716650205.1512748340) Upper Class Academy for Diverse Students - The Upper Class Academy for Diverse Students is an interactive learning experience that helps juniors and seniors develop skills needed to graduate and launch into graduate school or the work-force. (http://ucacademy.eku.edu/) Latino Student Association - The Purpose of LSA is to provide education about the diversity of Latino culture, organize and promote Latino cultural events and holidays, and to actively engage in advocacy and activism that promote access to higher education for Latino students. LSA at EKU seeks to create a community where incoming Latino students find support and encouragement on campus. (https://foreignlanguages.eku.edu/student-groups) Alphabet Center for the LBGTQ students - A resource center led by activists dedicated to providing a safe and affirming space for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning, intersex, and all students, faculty, and staff. Our mission is being a source of sanctuary for students, faculty, and staff. (http://diversity.eku.edu/diversity-eku) Black Student Union - Represents the interests and concerns of black students at Eastern Kentucky University. Brings together all aspects of black student life for the purpose of improving the campus environment. Provides support for the students and the community. Establishes and promotes interaction and good relationships among ourselves and among all EKU students by encouraging pluralism on the part of the faculty, administration, and the student body at large. Discourages and abates institutional and individual acts and symbols of racism. Heightens political, social, and cultural awareness and friendship between all people, regardless of race, sex, religion, or national origin. Aids in student’s development of sound leadership skills. Welcomes anyone committed to or interested in our mission regardless of race, religion, sex or nationality and promotes the EKU spirit of excellence and prestige. (http://eku.orgsync.com/show_profile/133069-black-student-union)

All scholarships administered by the Diversity Office and Office of Equity and Inclusion, support specifically underrepresented minority students through leadership programming, community service, and extra curricular activities to become leaders. The programs encourage all students to achieve a terminal degree and will financially support the GRE or Praxis for any student applying to EKU Graduate School. Student Programs: i. Call me MISTER Program (Dr. Norman Powell)- Eastern Kentucky University is part of a national initiative designed to encourage more African-American males to dedicate their lives to becoming role-models in the field of education. The program, named MISTER (the Mentors Instructing Students towards Effective Role Models), began at South Carolina’s Clemson University as a strategy to recruit teachers under the direction of Dr. Roy Jones. The Call Me MISTER® Program invites all education majors and prospective education majors to become a member of an exciting mentoring and teacher leadership program. According to Dr. Roy Jones, "The MISTERs learn values, leadership skills, mentoring and how to be role models. It is those skills, paired with their academic preparation that will make them distinctive in the classroom." This scholarship is specifically for black males pursuing teaching careers. ii. MEER Scholarship (Dr. Norman Powell) – Minority Educator Recruitment and Retention Scholarship. MERR addresses the critical shortage of minority teachers especially in the areas of mathematics and science in KY. The scholarship is a competitive and renewable scholarship award to be used up to four academic years at EKU. This scholarship is specifically for black males pursuing teaching careers.

EKU Diversity Office - Paula Hansford John Dixon - Director of Office Equity & Inclusion Sarah Pitt - Chief HR Officer