AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

     Austin Peay State University is an equal opportunity employer committed to the education of a non-racially identifiable student body. APSU affirms that it does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability or veteran status in the educational programs or activities which it operates, nor in admission to or employment in such programs or activities.
     APSU adheres to the requirements of Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, as amended, Sections 799A and 946 of the Public Health Service Act, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Executive Orders 11246 and 11375, and the related regulations to each.
     APSU reaffirms that it does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, age, disability or national origin and that it has taken affirmative action on behalf of minorities, and women, as prescribed by the Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Executive Order 11246 and 11375 as amended, Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978.
     Further, it is the intent of the University to comply fully with the equal employment opportunity, affirmative action, discrimination, and nepotism programs of the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR). Therefore, the TBR's policies and guidelines relative to these matters are hereby referred to and made a part of this statement of University policy. The University's Affirmative Action Plan may be reviewed in the Felix G. Woodward Library during operating hours. Any questions or concerns regarding this subject should be addressed to the Senior Advisor to the President for Diversity, Affirmative Action and Legal Affairs, telephone 221-7572. (Policy number 5:002) 
   
Harassment
     The purpose of APSU Policy Number: 5:003 is to provide a procedure for the orderly resolution of charges of sexual, racial, or other forms of harassment at the University. Fair and prompt consideration will be given to all charges of such harassment in accordance with this policy.
    Sexual harassment may be defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when one of the following criteria is met:
submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of the individual's employment or of the individual's status in a program, course, or activity;
submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for employment decisions, a criterion for evaluation, or a basis for academic or other decisions affecting such individual;
such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance or educational experience or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or educational environment.
     Whether the alleged conduct constitutes sexual harassment depends upon the record as a whole and the totality of the circumstances, such as the nature of sexual advances in the context within which the alleged incident occurred.
     Racial harassment is defined as any person's conduct which unreasonably interferes with an employee's or student's status or performance by creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or educational environment. Harassment on the basis of race, color, or national origin includes offensive or demeaning treatment of an individual, where such treatment is based typically on prejudiced stereotypes of a group to which that individual may belong.
     Harassment - religion, handicap, or other protected status includes any conduct that has the purpose or the reasonably foreseeable effect of interfering with an individual's academic efforts, employment, or participation in institutionally sponsored activities. Such harassment also includes any activity that creates an intimidating, hostile or demeaning environment.
     The procedures to be followed regarding a harassment charge are outlined in the APSU policy. Anyone experiencing any type of harassing activity should feel free to talk with the Senior Advisor to the President for Diversity, Affirmative Action and Legal Affairs.