Equal Opportunity Statement

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, gender, sexual orientation, height, weight, marital status, disabled veteran status, veteran status, arrest record, or disability. These policies are to be implemented with due regard for the relative qualifications of individuals involved and their ability to perform the essential function of the job.

For information about the University's Equal Opportunity statement, contact the Affirmative Programs office.

Controlled Substances

According to the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in the workplace. The University reserves the right, based on its own internal investigation, to discharge employees for the abuse of alcohol and other violations of this policy in the workplace.

Michigan Tech's Employee Assistance Program (see Section 2 for further details about EAP) provides confidential help to employees and their families for a variety of personal problems, including alcohol and drug abuse.

Discrimination and Harassment

Michigan Technological University is a diverse community of and for scholars. This community requires an environment of trust and openness where productive work, teaching, and learning can thrive. The University recognizes the necessity of protecting First Amendment rights and encouraging free speech, but also recognizes that certain conduct can threaten the mutual respect that is the foundation of scholarly communities. This policy, listed below, is intended to secure the freedom of expression guaranteed by the United States Constitution while maintaining the trust and mutual respect that are vital to a diverse university community.

The policy does not abrogate other policies, rights, and regulations set forth by MTU. Further, federal and state laws will be adhered to notwithstanding any provision of this policy.

The civil rights statutes prohibit various forms of discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, gender, marital status, age, disability, height, weight, or veteran status.

At MTU, there is no place for discrimination and/or discriminatory harassment prohibited by Title VII, 42 U.S.C. §1981, 42 U.S.C. §1983, Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Michigan Handicappers' Act, the Michigan Ethnic Intimidation Act, the Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, and Board of Control Policy. These behaviors by any member of the MTU community are prohibited and are subject to disciplinary procedures up to and including discharge ( Board of Control Policy 3.23).

For information on how to address harassment claims, including sexual harassment, contact Affirmative Programs or refer to the MTU Procedures Manual.

Disruption of University Activities

As a staff member of Michigan Tech, you assume an obligation to conduct yourself in a manner compatible with the University's function as an educational institution. In any attempt to interfere with University activity, the leaders and participants are held responsible and are subject to appropriate legal and disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment from the University under established procedures. For additional information, refer to the a Board of Control Policy, Section 15.10.

Disability Accommodation

MTU complies with all federal and state laws regarding discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Staff having a disability and needing reasonable accommodation for equal access to education or services at MTU should contact the director of Affirmative Programs (students should contact the Student Affairs Office).

Nepotism

MTU is committed to a policy of employment and advancement based on qualifications and merit. To avoid potential conflicts with this policy or perceived nepotism, the University prohibits the employee's supervisor to be a part of their immediate family.

For purposes of this policy, the immediate family includes spouse, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, step-daughter, step-son, parent-in-law, daughter-in-law, and son-in-law (see Section 4, On the Job, Conflict of Interest).

Safety Policy

The safety Policy of Michigan Technological University is based on the firm conviction that accidents which cause personal injury and/or loss or damage to the environment can be prevented. No phase of University business or operation is of greater importance than the safety of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors, and protection of the environment.

Michigan Technological University will provide and maintain a safe and healthy environment at all locations and will establish operating practices designed to assure the safety of all.

Each student, faculty, and staff is responsible for their individual safety performance and for protection of the environment. Each instructor/supervisor also has the responsibility to create a climate of safety and environmental awareness. Safety and environmental protection must be an integral part of every job. It is the responsibility of all to comply with safety rules and to work in such a manner as to prevent injuries to themselves, others, and damage to the environment.

The prevention of accidents and the protection of the environment is in the best interest of all. Only through constant mutual effort and cooperation can we achieve these goals.

Smoke-Free Environment

Smoking is prohibited in all University buildings, unless accommodations have been made to provide separate ventilation for a designated smoking area. Residence halls select a policy through their own governance process.

All employees, students and visitors share in the responsibility for adhering to and enforcing this policy (MTU Policy and Procedures Manual).

Threatening and Violent Behavior in the Workplace

At Michigan Technological University there is no place for threatening or violent behavior. Acts of violence include any physical action, whether intentional or reckless, that harms or threatens the safety of another individual in the work place. A threat of violence includes any behavior that, by its very nature, could be interpreted by a reasonable person as an intent to cause harm to another individual.

The University recognizes the necessity of protecting individual rights and encouraging free speech, but also recognizes that certain conduct can threaten the mutual respect that is the foundation of scholarly communities. This policy is intended to secure freedom of expression while maintaining the safe and cooperative environment that is vital to a university community.

This policy provides guidelines for responding to violence or threats of violence in the workplace. A threat of violence by any member of the Michigan Technological University community is prohibited, and individuals engaging in violent behaviors are subject to disciplinary procedures ranging from reprimand to termination or expulsion.

For further details including information on how to request assistance or report an offense, please refer to Operation Procedures Manual 23.10.

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