Tennessee Technological University
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Non-Discrimination Policy Tennessee Tech University is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. It is the policy and intent of Tennessee Tech University to provide equal opportunity in employment to all persons. The university emphasizes its commitment to equal opportunities for all individuals and provides a program of affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunity. Tennessee Tech University’s Diversity and Legal Affairs Office oversees the implementation and compliance of the university’s policies and procedures regarding employment, discrimination and harassment. https://www.tntech.edu/hr/diversity-equity/nondiscrim.php

Depending on the type of offense, the matter can be handled by a number of different resources on Tennessee Tech's campus. The offices that handle these incidents are the Human Resources Department, Campus Police, Dean of Students, and the Counseling Center. Contact information is given on the Tech website for all personnel and depending on the incident, the appropriate office will be involved. Human Resources: https://www.tntech.edu/hr/ Campus Police: https://www.tntech.edu/police/ Dean of Students: https://www.tntech.edu/dos/ Counseling Center: https://www.tntech.edu/counsel/ Tennessee Tech developed a complaint process to ensure the concerns of students or prospective students are resolved fairly and promptly. Resources available are Informal Resolution, Specific Complaints (including Prohibited Discrimination and Harassment), How to File a Complaint, Anonymous Complaints, and Complaint Resolution Process. A full step-by-step process is explained concerning the Complaint Resolution Process. Information found at: https://www.tntech.edu/sa/stucomplaint/index.php Student Complaint form: https://www.tntech.edu/sa/stucomplaint/form.php Tennessee Tech adopts the Tennessee Board of Regents Guideline P-080 Discrimination and Harassment – Complaint and Investigation Procedure According to TTU's Policy No. 141 Prohibited Discrimination and Harassment: VI. Reporting and Tennessee Tech Response A. Any faculty, staff, or student who believes that he/she has been a victim of Discrimination, Harassment, or Retaliation or any faculty or staff member who has witnessed Discrimination, Harassment, or Retaliation should report the incident, as soon as possible, to any Responsible Employee or directly to the appropriate Reporting Authority. 1. If the complaint is determined to meet the standard definition, the Reporting Authority will assign an investigator to investigate the complaint. 2. If the complaint is determined not to meet the standard definition, the Reporting Authority will forward the complaint to the appropriate administrator for action,if any. F. The investigator will conduct a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation of the complaint and provide notification of the outcome within sixty (60) days of the report of Discrimination, Harassment, or Retaliation, absent good cause. G. Tennessee Tech will maintain the confidentiality of the complaint, and the privacy of the persons involved, to the greatest extent possible, consistent with its goal of conducting a thorough and complete investigation and to the extent permitted by the law. H. In situations that require immediate action because of safety or other concerns, Tennessee Tech may take reasonable, appropriate administrative action. I. Upon completion of the investigation, the investigator will provide a summary of his/her findings and conclusions to the appropriate Vice President. 1. In cases where the complaint includes an employee, the Vice President for Planning and Finance will review the findings and conclusions. 2. In cases where the complaint is between two or more students, the Vice President for Student Affairs will review the findings and conclusions. J. The Vice President will decide whether or not a violation of this policy has occurred based on the findings and conclusions

The Multicultural Affairs Office is responsible for creating a diverse student, staff and faculty body at Tennessee Tech. They have an Ambassadors Program in which current students assist staff in recruitment of minority students. https://www.tntech.edu/bcc/ Tennessee LSAMP is a National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored program with the mission to significantly increase the number of underrepresented minorities receiving degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Our alliance consists of nine institutions, with Tennessee State University serving as the lead institution. With a student focus in mind, each institution provides services that assist underrepresented minorities with the transition from high school to college, integrate them socially and academically into the university environment, and engage them in research and summer internship opportunities. In an effort to meet the needs and expectations of the underrepresented minorities in STEM, TLSAMP provides services such as academic enrichment, financial support, peer and faculty mentoring, research opportunities, and summer bridge programs. https://www.tntech.edu/engineering/about/outreach/tlsamp/about.php The Office of Military and Veterans affairs offers many resources for incoming, transfer, and current students. This office works directly with students and the VA to ensure that each Veteran and Military family member maximizes their education benefit. Eligibility for VA educational benefits can be extended to veterans, reservists, spouses and children of service-connected deceased or disabled veterans under the following programs: Pot-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program, Dependents GI Bill, and the Yellow Ribbon Program. TN Tech is also part of the Tennessee STRONG Act program, which is a reimbursement program for members of the Tennessee National Guard to obtain funding towards a first bachelor's degree. Aside from funding, there is also a Student Veterans Organization. The purpose of this organization is to ensure an effective transition to student life through any resource available. The SVO provides a fellowship of like-minded individuals in order to create a network of students and successful alumni focused on professional and leadership development. https://www.tntech.edu/veterans/index.php

R.A.C.E. - REACHING ACHIEVEMENT AND COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE The Multicultural Affairs peer mentoring program exists to assist first-time students from underrepresented ethnic populations with their transition to life at Tennessee Tech. The program is designed to provide social and intellectual support for students in an effort to help them become positively involved academically, culturally and socially as part of the TTU community. Website link: https://www.tntech.edu/multicultural-affairs/race-program.php The TN Tech Women's Center advocates for gender equity on campus. They host a book club, BIDE (Body Image and Disordered Eating) support group, a semiannual newsletter written and edited by students, film screenings, and keynote speakers. We're here to help by providing resources, referrals, and programming designed to educate and enlighten. The Center offers a comfortable space where women's needs come first. We hope that women, in all their diversity, will feel empowered to seek information and to share their concerns and interests within these walls.Though our focus is women and their needs, there is not a "for women only" attitude here. We delight in anyone using our resources for the betterment of themselves and the community. https://www.tntech.edu/women/ The Office of Disability Services is a resource for students with disabilities and university faculty. ODS works in collaboration with faculty members to ensure students with disabilities experience access and inclusion in their coursework through accommodations. The Accessible Education Center (AEC) professionals are committed to ensuring equal access for all qualifying individuals to Tennessee Tech's academic and physical environments, and further dedicated to providing quality services to students and faculty, through a variety of resources including academic adjustments, assistive technology and software, as well as other support programs that promote awareness of the law and other disability-related services. https://oudev.tntech.edu/disability/index.php

Within the College of Engineering, there is Engineering Career Awareness Program (ECAP) which serves as a support network for underrepresented groups in the College of Engineering. This program provides support, both financial, intellectual, and social, from the summer before freshmen year through graduate school. https://www.tntech.edu/engineering/about/outreach/ecap.php For Graduate students, a Diversity Fellowship is available that provides financial assistance to underrepresented groups on campus.The diversity fellowship is designed to promote Tennessee Technological University's commitment to a more inclusive and diverse campus that enriches the educational experience, promotes personal growth and a healthy society, strengthens communities and the workplace, and enhances America's economic competitiveness. https://www.tntech.edu/graduatestudies/diversity-fellowship.php

TN Tech hosts a workshop annually called Engineering A Future. This is a program geared towards young women interested in pursuing a career in engineering. This is a great opportunity for young women interested in becoming problem solvers and creative thinkers to spend time experiencing the ever-changing and exciting field of engineering. https://www.tntech.edu/engineering/about/outreach/eaf.php