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West Virginia University recognizes and accepts its
responsibility to act in accordance with the University's Affirmative
Action Plan, and Federal laws and regulations. Therefore, WVU has established
this internal complaint procedure to review, investigate, and resolve
allegations of unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability,
national origin, race, religion, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual
orientation, or veteran status.
WVU is committed to affirmative action and equal opportunities
in all areas of employment and education and believes that this complaint
procedure will benefit students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Our
success in these efforts will contribute to an improved environment in
which to work and study. Individuals with discrimination-related complaints,
including affirmative action and equal employment opportunity complaints,
are urged to utilize this internal AA/EO complaint procedure before filing
a complaint with external enforcement agencies.
This policy does not preclude the use of any other
complaint mechanism available to the complainant.
Requirements for Filing Complaints:
- Any applicant for employment, current or former employee,
or student (herein referred to as complaintant) at WVU may file a discrimination
complaint with the AA/EO Office.
- A complaint may be filed with the AA/EO Office without
first discussing the issues with any other University official. However,
it is encouraged that individuals first attempt to resolve the complaint
by bringing the issue to their supervisors or next-level supervisors.
- A complaint should be filed within 30 days following
the alleged discriminatory act, or the date on which the complainant
knew or reasonably should have known of said act.
- The complaint must be filed with the AA/EO - Social
Justice Office.
Further
Provisions on Time Limits:
All of the time limits contained within this complaint
procedure may be extended with the approval of the Affirmative Action
Officer, or his/her designee.
Discrimination Complaints Filed with
Other WVU Departments or Units
Any complaint relating to discrimination on the
basis of age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex
(which includes sexual harassment), sexual orientation, or veteran status
that is filed with another WVU department or unit shall be referred to
the AA/EO Office within twenty-four (24) hours, or the next working day.
Responsibilities
The employee, job applicant, or student
is responsible for the following:
- Whenever possible, attempting to resolve complaints
through an immediate supervisor or next-level supervisor. If such discussions
fail to resolve the complaint, the complainant may seek a review of
his/her complaint in accordance with the steps listed below;
- Contacting the AA/EO Office for advice and/or counseling
if there is a concern about being discriminated against or harassed;
and,
- Filing a discrimination complaint with the AA/EO
Office if the situation remains unresolved.
The AA/EO Office is responsible for the
following:
- Receiving a complaint and assisting the complainant
in defining the charge and completing the complaint form;
- Apprising the person(s) named in the complaint (herein
referred to as the respondent) and his/her administrative office of
the allegation and notifying them that no retaliation may occur;
- Assisting the individuals named in the complaint
in interpreting the charge;
- Obtaining a response to the complaint within ten
(10) working days after receipt of the allegations;
- Upon receipt of the response from the respondent
named in the complaint, investigating the complaint further if necessary
and appropriate. The AA/EO Office shall have access to all necessary
documents, the right to interview witnesses, and the ability to bring
together the complainant and respondent, if desirable;
- Upon completion of the investigation, issuing a finding
on the case to all individuals named in the complaint within twenty
(20) working days. If the evidence supports a finding that there is
no basis for a charge of illegal discrimination, the AA/EO Office shall
indicate this conclusion to the complainant and advise him/her that
the case is closed;
- Making recommendations for the resolution of the
complaint if unlawful discrimination is found; and,
- Monitoring the recommendations for implemetation,
and seeing that appropriate action is taken without retaliation
against the complainant or respondent.
The respondent is responsible for the following:
- Providing a response to the charge within ten (10) working days after
receipt of the charge; and,
- Taking no retaliation or reprisal against the complainant, others
related to the complainant, or persons involved in the complaint investigation.
The respondent's supervisor is responsible
for the following:
- Providing a response to the AA/EO Office within seven
(7) business days of the action taken with reference to the AA/EO recommendations;
and,
- Taking no retaliation or reprisal against the complainant,
others related to the complainant, or persons involved in
the complaint investigation.
This policy does not prohibit the employer
from taking disciplinary action in appropriate circumstances.
AA/EO Campus Offices:
Jennifer McIntosh
Executive Office for Social Justice and
Director, Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Programs
President's Office for Social Justice
B-1 Stewart Hall
PO Box 6202
Morgantown, WV 26506
(304) 293-5496
jmcintos@wvu.edu
Ann Chester
Assistant Vice President for Health Sciences
Health Sciences Center North 1144
PO Box 9026
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV 26506
(304) 293-2420
achester@hsc.wvu.edu
Dinah Courrier
Dean of Academic Affairs
110 Administration Building
Potomac State College
Keyser, WV 26726
(304) 788-6955
dcourrie@wvu.edu
Anne Neese
Counselor II
AA/EO/ADA/Social Justice Officer
Room 613 Davis Hall
WVU Tech
Montgomery,WV 25136
(304) 442-3096
eneese@wvutech.edu
Debbie Richards
Senior Administrative Assistant
President's Office
WVU-Parkersburg
300 Campus Drive
Parkersburg, WV 26101
(304) 424-8201
debbie.richards@mail.wvu.edu
Rena Cosby
HR Branch Offices Supervisor
Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences - Charleston Division
3110 MacCorkle Ave SE
Charleston WV 25304
(304) 347-1233
rcosby@wvu.edu
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