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VI

titleviPrograms and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from the United States Department of Education (ED) are covered by Title VI.

Education Programs and Activities Covered by Title VI

Programs and activities that receive ED funds must operate in a non-discriminatory manner. These 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, housing and employment, if it affects those who are intended to benefit from the Federal funds. Also, a recipient may not retaliate against any person because he or she opposed an unlawful educational practice or policy, or made charges, testified or participated in any complaint action under Title VI. For a recipient to retaliate in any way is considered a violation of Title VI. The ED Title VI regulations (Volume 34, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 100) provide a detailed discussion of discrimination prohibited by Title VI.

The Office of Institutional Culture

The Office of Institutional Culture is responsible for enforcing Title VI as it applies to programs and activities at APSU. The office is responsible for ensuring that because Austin Peay State University receives ED funds that the university complies with Title VI and that it is carried out through compliance enforcement. The principal enforcement activity is the investigation and resolution of complaints filed by people alleging discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin.

In order to maintain compliance with Federal Regulations all new employees are required to complete mandatory training on Title VI as well as annual refresher training. Each employee is enrolled in the training upon hire and requested to complete it within the first 90 days of employment.

Preventing Workplace Harassment & Discrimination
 Mandatory Training for all Faculty, Staff and Student EmployeesEnter Here

Please go to the following link for instructions on enrolling and completing this training.

How to File a Discrimination Complaint?

Anyone who believes there has been an act of discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin, against any person or group, in a program or activity that receives ED financial assistance, may file a complaint under Title VI. The person or organization filing the complaint need not be a victim of the alleged discrimination but may complain on behalf of another person or group. A complaint should be sent to Office of Institutional Culture. A complaint must be filed within 180 days of the date of the alleged discrimination unless the time for filing is extended for good cause. 

Complaint letters should explain who was discriminated against; in what way; by whom; when the discrimination took place; who was harmed; who can be contacted for further information; the name, address and telephone number of the complainant(s) and the alleged offending person(s); and as much background information as possible about the alleged discriminatory act(s). The complaint can be in person or you can use the online complaint form. The Office of Institutional Culture keeps the identity of complainants confidential except to the extent necessary to carry out the purposes of the civil rights laws, or unless disclosure is required under the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act or otherwise required by law.

If evidence indicates there has been a violation of Title VI, the Office of Institutional Culture will initiate an investigation. The procedures for this investigation can be found in APSU Policy 6:004.

Where to Request Additional Information or File a Complaint

Below are the APSU personnel to contact in reference to filing a complaint at APSU. Please contact one of these people prior to filing a complaint with the OCR in order to get advice on filing the complaint.

LaNeeça R. Williams, Ph. (931) 221-7690, Email Williamslr@apsu.edu

Sheila M. Bryant, Ph. (931) 221-7178, Email Bryantsm@apsu.edu

Jayme Dunn, Ph. (931) 221-7160, Email Dunnj@apsu.edu

The addresses and telephone numbers of the OCR regional office are listed below.   

Tennessee Human Rights Commission, 312 Rosa L Parks Ave., 23rd floor, Nashville, TN 37243, Ph. (800)251-3589, Email ask.thrc@tn.gov

Regional Civil Rights Office, U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights, Atlanta Office, 61 Forsyth Street, Suite 19T10, Atlanta, GA, 30303, Ph. (404) 974-9356, Email: OCR.Atlanta@ed.gov 

Compliance Reports

Compliance Report 2016-2017
Compliance Report 2017-2018