Purpose

This policy states Tidewater Community College’s commitment to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination consistent with the policy of the Commonwealth of Virginia as well as that of the Virginia Community College System and in compliance with the relevant Federal and State statutes and regulations.


Policy

It is the policy of Tidewater Community College to provide equal employment and educational opportunities for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, political affiliation, veteran status, gender, age, or sexual orientation and for all otherwise qualified persons with disabilities.  This policy permits appropriate employment preferences for veterans and specifically prohibits discrimination against veterans.

Tidewater Community College does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, political affiliation, veteran status, gender, age, sexual orientation, or disability.  Such behavior is inconsistent with TCC’s commitments to respect for individuality and to fostering unique strengths in different people as a core value articulated in Bearings on the Future: the Tidewater Community College Strategic Plan. The prohibition against discrimination and harassment applies to all levels and areas of college operations and programs, to students, faculty, staff, volunteers, vendors, and contractors.  This policy does not permit or require alteration of bona fide job requirements, performance standards, or qualifications to give preference to any state employee or applicant for state employment.

It is a violation of this policy to retaliate against any party for participating in a discrimination/harassment investigation (“protected activity”). Retaliation includes any adverse treatment which is reasonably likely to deter the complainant or others from filing a charge of discrimination/harassment or participating in a discrimination/harassment investigation. Retaliation can be verbal, written, graphic, electronic or physical.

Knowingly filing a false complaint of discrimination/harassment or of retaliation is a violation of this policy. Such conduct may be pursued using the steps followed for a complaint of discrimination/harassment, and if found to have occurred, will result in disciplinary action that may include termination or expulsion.

All participants in a discrimination/harassment complaint resolution process, including the complainant and respondent, witnesses, and any other parties shall respect the confidentiality of the proceedings.  Breaches of confidentiality jeopardize effective functioning of internal complaint resolution.  Participants are authorized to discuss the case only with those persons whose duties entail a clear and genuine need to know.

The college’s Director of Human Resources is the designated coordinator for matters related to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.  To comply with the Federal requirement to provide continuous notification of the college’s nondiscrimination policy, the following statement will appear in TCC publications, including but not limited to the college catalog, student handbook, employee handbooks, the TCC Website, program brochures, and college and student newspapers.

Tidewater Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, political affiliation, veteran status, gender, age, sexual orientation, or disability in its programs or activities.  Inquiries related to the college’s nondiscrimination policies may be directed to the Director of Human Resources, Post Office Box 9000, Norfolk, VA 23509-9000, 757-822-1708.

Employment/position vacancy announcements will include an appropriately worded statement of TCC’s commitment to cultural diversity.