I. Purpose
The University of North Carolina at Asheville (UNC Asheville) strives to cultivate an environment that is diverse, inclusive and free from discrimination. UNC Asheville is committed to compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination. This policy affirms the university’s commitment to base employment decisions on the principles of equal employment opportunity and with the intent to further UNC Asheville’s commitment to affirmative action and equal employment opportunity.
II. Scope
This policy applies to employees of UNC Asheville and applicants for employment (both internal and external). Guidelines for this policy are derived from federal Executive Order 11246, as amended; Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1988; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended; the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act; N.C.G.S.126; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008; the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, and other applicable federal and state laws.
III. Policy
The University of North Carolina at Asheville will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. UNC Asheville will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and the employees are treated respectfully during employment, without regard to these categories. Such action shall include, but not be limited to, the following: employment, promotion, demotion or transfer; recruitment or recruitment advertising; benefits, tuition assistance, layoff or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; and selection for training. Discrimination against any individual based upon the above stated categories is prohibited.
UNC Asheville will post, in conspicuous places available to employees and applicants for employment, this Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Policy. UNC Asheville will, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on behalf of UNC Asheville, include language indicating that UNC Asheville is an EEO/AA Employer. UNC Asheville shall base employment decisions on the principles of equal employment opportunity and with the intent to further UNC Asheville’s commitment to affirmative action and equal employment opportunities. It is a violation of this policy to take an adverse employment or academic action against any student, faculty or staff member because he/she has opposed a practice they reasonably believe to be discriminatory, or participated in any investigation or proceeding in accordance with this policy. Procedures for filing and managing allegations of discrimination or harassment are addressed in UNC Asheville’s Unlawful Workplace Harassment Policy. To facilitate UNC Asheville’s affirmative action efforts on behalf of disabled workers and protected veterans, individuals who qualify and wish to benefit from the Affirmative Action Plan are invited and encouraged to identify themselves. This information is strictly voluntary. Unless otherwise allowed by law, the information will be kept confidential, except that supervisors or managers may be informed about restrictions on the work duties of disabled persons and about necessary accommodations.
Applicants are encouraged to identify their race and gender during the application process. This self-identification is strictly voluntary and confidential, and will be used solely for legally required reporting purposes. This information will not be used in any other way and will not be shared with hiring officials.
UNC Asheville’s EEO Administrator, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources, is responsible for oversight of the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program and for monitoring its effectiveness. UNC Asheville invites any employee or any applicant for employment to review UNC Asheville’s written Affirmative Action Program (AAP). The AAP is available for inspection upon request during the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, in the Office of Human Resources. Any questions should be directed to Christy Williams, director of Human Resources.