5.3 Statement of Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity
adopted: Jan-1999
revised: Feb-2002; May-2009; May-2014; Feb-2021
Richland Community College adheres to all federal, state, and local civil rights laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination in public institutions of higher education.
Richland’s nondiscrimination policy applies to the admission and retention of students, recruitment, employment, and retention of faculty and staff, and access to and treatment in the College’s programs and activities.
Richland Community College prohibits discrimination against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant for admission on the basis of
- Race,
- Color
- Religion,
- Sex,
- Religion,
- Creed,
- Ethnicity,
- National origin (including ancestry),
- Citizenship status,
- Physical and/or mental disabilities (including perceived disability and except where they are bona fide occupational qualifications),
- Age,
- Marital or parental status,
- Sexual orientation,
- Gender identity,
- Gender expression,
- Veteran or military status (including disabled veteran, recently separated veteran, active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran, and Armed Forces Service Medal veteran),
- or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law, including protections for those opposing discrimination or participating in any grievance process on campus, with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and/or other human/civil rights agencies.
Therefore, any member of the Richland community whose acts deny, deprive, or limit the educational or employment access, benefits, and/or opportunities of any member of the Richland community, guest, or visitor on the basis of that person’s actual or perceived membership in the protected classes listed above is in violation of the Richland Statement of Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity.
When brought to the attention of Richland Community College, any such discrimination will be promptly and fairly addressed and remedied by Richland Community College according to the appropriate grievance process identified online.