2022-2023 Academic Catalog (August 2022 - July 2023) 
    
    Oct 09, 2024  
2022-2023 Academic Catalog (August 2022 - July 2023) [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Federal Policies


NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and other state and federal laws prohibit unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex.  The institution does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex (biological including pregnancy and breastfeeding), age, disability, military or veteran status, religion, color, ancestry, marital status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or national origin in the administration of any of its educational programs, activities, or with respect to admission or employment.  The institution also does not discriminate based upon genetic information in the areas of employment or employee health insurance benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action

Concord University is committed to providing a workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment; promoting fairness in employment opportunities for all qualified persons; encouraging outreach efforts to attract underutilized minorities and women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities; and provide for appropriate remedies due to acts of discrimination, harassment, or other violations of federal or state laws regarding Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action.

In support of its commitment to diversity, equal employment opportunity, and affirmative action, CU has adopted three affirmative action programs:

  • Minorities and Women
  • Individuals with Disabilities

Board Policy CU-HR-47, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) / Affirmative Action (AA). The Chief Human Resources Officer is also the EEO/AA Officer. See contact information below.

The University maintains compliance with all federal, state, and local law, rules, and regulations including by not limited to: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the West Virginia Human Rights Act, Title IX (Educational Amendments of 1972), Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable laws and regulations.

Sexual Harassment

Concord University will not and does not tolerate sexual harassment in any form. The University herein affirms that employees have a right to work and students have a right to study in a positive atmosphere free from sexual harassment and abuse.

Consistent with its comprehensive mission, and in recognition that the development of human potential is a fundamental goal in a democratic society, Concord is committed to providing students, faculty, staff, and applicants for employment and admission and participants in its education and employment programs with a work and educational environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination, stalking, hazing, bullying, or harassment based on race, color, sex, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, or any other class protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. 

To that end, Concord University has adopted Board Policy CU-GA-29, Social Justice, which addresses social justice, unlawful discrimination, unlawful harassment, sexual harassment based on a protected class, establishes grievance procedures, defines the institution's prevention and education obligations, and establishes the institution's religious and disability reasonable accommodation policy.

Reporting Discrimination / Harassment

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries, complaints, or grievances regarding the institution's unlawful discrimination, harassment and sexual harassment policies and to receive and manage discrimination/harassment reports and complaints.

Sexual Harassment Complaints

Title IX Coordinator:           Dr. Joan Pendergast, Professor of Social Work
Mailing Address:                 Box F42, Athens, WV 24712

Phone Number:                   (304) 384 - 5289
Facsimile Number:              (304) 284 - 6091
Email:                                  jpendergast@concord.edu
Physical Location:               105B Marsh Hall, 1000 Vermillion, Athens, WV 24712
 

All Other Protected Class Complaints

EEO/AA/Social Justice:         Dan Fitzpatrick, VP and COO/CHRO
Mailing Address:
                  P.O. Box 1000, Athens, WV 24712
Phone Number:                    (304) 384 – 5276
Facsimile Number:               (304) 384 – 5271

Email:                                   dfitzpatrick@concord.edu
Physical Location:                332A Marsh Hall, 1000 Vermillion, Athens, WV 24712

Disability Services

The Office of Disabilities Services exists to provide the supportive environment necessary for students to achieve their academic goals. This office provides reasonable educational accommodations, advocates for an accessible learning environment and promotes self-advocacy and responsibility on the part of the students which it serves.

Students with disabilities have rights granted by two civil rights laws. These laws are the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Basically, these laws provide students with the following rights:

  • Equal access to post-secondary education
  • Non-discrimination
  • Appropriate and reasonable accommodations based on each student's individual disability and how it affects learning and
  • The right to have information about the student's disability kept confidential.

Student Responsibilities

  • The responsibility to disclose your disability
  • The responsibility to provide the Office of Disability Services with adequate documentation of your disability
  • The responsibility to meet with the Disability Services Coordinator at the beginning of each semester to set up appropriate accommodations
  • The responsibility to meet the academic and conduct standards in place at Concord University

Accommodations

  • Are defined as a change in how things are usually done, and may be granted to a student with a disability if that disability affects his/her functioning
  • Provide students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in school
  • Must be appropriate and effective for each individual
  • Cannot fundamentally alter a program or course
  • Cannot lower or change the academic or conduct standards of Concord University
  • Cannot cause an undue burden
  • Will not be provided without adequate documentation

The Letter of Accommodation Process

Any Concord University student who (1) discloses a disability to the Disability Services Coordinator, (2) presents adequate documentation of the disability and requests accommodations that are appropriate for the effects of the disability, will receive a letter of accommodation. The Disability Services Coordinator writes the letter of accommodation which states the necessary accommodations for each course. The letter of accommodation does not state what disability the student has. When the student is requesting accommodations that involve the instructor or the classroom setting, the student must share a copy of the letter of accommodation with the instructor for the accommodations to be implemented. For example, if the student has an approved accommodation of extended test time, the instructor will not be able to provide extended test time without a copy of the letter of accommodation.