Chapter 4. Affirmative Programs

4.3. Discrimination

Discrimination: The act of making decisions that may have an adverse effect on a person, when the decisions or actions are on the basis of a person's membership in a protected group. The list of protected classes and members are listed in the policy statement below. Key concepts are "disparate treatment" and "disparate impact." They are related to the effect or impact on a person or group of persons that are the result of decisions and/or actions of others at the University.

Equal Opportunity: Laws require that the University provide equal opportunity to all persons regarding employment or educational programs. Processes for hiring and admissions are developed and monitored with this consideration in mind.

Disparate Treatment: Active discrimination of an individual when a person, who is a member of a protected class, is treated differently than others and the resulting conditions are adversely affecting him or her in performance of job duties, studies, or the receipt of services.

Disparate Impact: Discrimination, active or passive, that may result from implementing a policy or practice. In this case a group of protected class persons may be experiencing adverse outcomes as a result of a policy, when other groups may gain or are unaffected from that same policy.

The MTU Board of Control Policy, 3.7. Equal Opportunity states:

"In keeping with its responsibilities as an educational institution, Michigan Technological University is committed to a policy of affording equal opportunity to all of its employees, students, applicants for employment and applicants for admission without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, height, weight, or marital status. The University is also committed to a policy of educating and employing disabled individuals and veterans without discrimination. These policies are to be implemented with due regard for the relative qualifications of all involved."

Refer to section 4.5. Filing a Complaint of this chapter.