Laws, Regulations, and Policies

As a recipient of federal financial assistance, NC State Extension is required to comply with federal civil rights laws which prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in all extension and research programs and activities.

Federal Laws, Regulations & Guidance

Equal opportunity and a commitment to an inclusive and diverse community are vital to the achievement of NC State University’s missions in teaching, research, and public service. NC State nondiscrimination policies apply to all employees and students.

NC State Policies, Regulations & Guidance

N.C. Cooperative Extension is dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs that comply with all civil rights, equal employment and affirmative action requirements. Discrimination is prohibited across the Extension system in programs, with respect to individuals, audiences, groups, and organizations.

Extension Policies, Regulations & Guidance

Complaint Procedures

NC State provides equal opportunity and affirmative action efforts, and prohibits discrimination and harassment based upon the following, which is considered by NC State to be a protected status: race, color, religion (including belief and non-belief), sex, including but not limited to (i) pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, (ii) parenting; and (iii) sexual harassment; sexual orientation; actual or perceived gender identity; age; national origin; disability; veteran status; or genetic information. NC State also prohibits retaliation based upon a person’s engagement in a protected activity. Individuals in one of the aforementioned protected classes participating in Extension programs may file a discrimination complaint with NC State University.

NC State Complaint Procedures

Discrimination is prohibited on the bases of race, color, sex, age, disability, national origin, or limited English proficiency and reprisal is prohibited based on prior civil rights activity in programs that receive Federal financial assistance from the USDA, including NC State Extension. Individuals participating in Extension programs may file a discrimination complaint on one of the aforementioned bases with the USDA.

USDA Participant Complaint Procedures

Nondiscrimination & Accommodation Statements

A nondiscrimination statement is required on print and electronic documents and websites that are made available to the public, participants, students, applicants, or employees. An accommodation statement is required to be included on all event announcements. This statement informs participants (employees, students, and the public) of the process to obtain a reasonable accommodation. Although not a civil rights statement, the public document cost statement is required by NC General Statute to be included when 200+ copies are printed for the public.

It is important that the correct nondiscrimination and accommodation statements are included on materials developed for county Extension professionals. All print and digital materials developed for county Extension use must include the N.C. Cooperative Extension nondiscrimination statement. All program announcement and marketing materials developed for county Extension use must include an editable accommodation statement.

Required Statements

Public Cost Statement

Notice of Nondiscrimination

N.C. Cooperative Extension does not discriminate in program admission or access, in the treatment of program participants, or in the provision of services. N.C. Cooperative Extension and its employees may not participate in or provide support to any organizations and efforts that would result in a program that excludes, restricts, or denies any person from participation because of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability.

USDA regulations issued pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 require that Extension can provide assistance only to those organizations that do not exclude any person from membership or participation in any activities of the organization or subject any person to discrimination because of race, color or national origin. Pursuant to Title IX of theEducation Amendments of 1972, Extension cannot provide significant assistance to organizations that exclude any person from membership or participation on the basis of sex. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits significant assistance to organizations that exclude persons from membership or participation on the basis of disability. Pursuant to the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Extension cannot provide assistance to organizations which illegally exclude persons from membership or participation on the basis of age.

Extension employees involved in collaborative efforts are responsible for assuring that an organization or group is nondiscriminary before rendering Extension assistance. Employees should provide a copy of the Notice of Nondiscrimination to each organization that Extension provides support to. A Notice of Nondiscrimination should be provided to organizations before joint programs are provided. Subsequent annual Notices of Nondiscrimination should be provided to partner organizations where there is ongoing collaborative program efforts. 

Collection of Demographic Data

As a recipient of federal financial assistance, NC State Extension is required to maintain evidence that programs and services are provided in a nondiscriminatory manner. All Extension programs must collect and securely maintain data on the race, ethnicity and sex of the program’s participants.

In the majority of cases this data is collected by County Extension Agents and data is stored in the ERS system. However, Extension Specialists and Associates conducting programs not associated with an agent are responsible for collecting and maintaining their program data for 3 years.

If the program registration is conducted through Extension Eventbrite it is strongly recommended that you use the standard demographics which have been designed to comply with the federal requirements. If you mark your attendance following your program, your responsibility to maintain the data will be eliminated.

• Standards for Collecting Data on Race and Ethnicity
• Sample Data Collection Cards
• USDA Data Collection Form

Disability Resources

Individuals with disabilities must be provided an equally effective opportunity to participate in or benefit from Extension’s programs and services. An accommodation statement is required to be included on all event announcements to inform participants of how to request an accommodation.

• NC State University Accessibility Resources
• NC State University Accessibility, Accommodations, & Modifications
• IT Accessibility Handbook
• Captioning Service (rev.com)
• Zoom Accessibility
• Accessible Meetings
• Effective Communication
• Making Events Accessible
• Service Animal FAQs
• Dietary Accommodations (Allergies & Religion)

Other Resources

• “And Justice for All” Posters
• Department of Labor Postings
• NC State Title IX Posters
• NIFA Civil Rights
• NC State Office of Equal Opportunity