The NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences recognizes the mutual benefit of a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming community where the unique contributions, talents and skills of our faculty, staff and students are valued, respected and rewarded.

This site for CALS research faculty and staff serves as collection of policies, procedures and training relative to equal opportunity, complaint processing and resolution related to our civil rights obligations as recipients of federal grant funding.

Federal Laws and Regulations

Programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance must comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities; and the Age Discrimination Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of age. Education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance also must comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex.

As a recipient of federal HATCH, Animal Health, Smith Lever, and other competitive grant funding from the USDA for research and extension, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the North Carolina Agriculture Research Service (NCARS), and NC State Extension are required to comply with these federal civil rights laws.

Federal Laws, Regulations & Guidance

NC State Policies

North Carolina State University is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community. As a public land grant institution, the University strives to ensure that diverse persons of any background are invited, included, and treated equally. The University also strives to maintain a campus environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation and to provide an equitable and supportive process for reporting and resolving allegations of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

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.

NC State Policies, Regulations & Guidance

Training for Faculty & Staff

Educating oneself on the issues related to civil rights is essential to complying with our civil rights obligations. Both federal and university regulations specify training requirements. NC State’s Discrimination and Harassment Prevention and Response (DHPR) training provides faculty and staff with information about the laws, policies and practices surrounding the prevention of discrimination and harassment. All NC State employees are required to complete DHPR training at new employee orientation and then once every three years thereafter.

Individuals designated as Responsible Employees are required to complete Title IX training annually. Title IX Training for Employees educates responsible employees on how to respond to those who disclose incidents of interpersonal violence. 

Public Notification

A variety of methods are used to notify our staff and customers of our nondiscrimination policies. 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.

The And Justice for All poster is required to be posted in publicly visible location in all CALS facilities visited by the public. This poster notifies customers of their rights and how to file a discrimination complaint with the USDA.

Every campus building should display at least one Title IX Poster in English and preferably also one in Spanish to help ensure awareness and compliance with Title IX.

Complaint Procedures

Complaints of discrimination, harassment or retaliation may be directed to NC State University. The University will respond and provide a fair procedure with due process protections for complainants and respondents. Appropriate corrective measures will be instituted for violations of this policy. NC State Complaint Procedures

Individuals also have the option to file complaints of program discrimination on the bases of race, color, sex, age, disability, national origin, or reprisal with the USDA. USDA Complaint Procedures 

For More Information on Civil Rights & Diversity

NC State Office for Equal Opportunity
The Office for Equal Opportunity facilitates efforts to ensure equal opportunity by providing guidance, programming, and outreach. The Office of Equal Opportunity oversees the complaint reporting and investigation process to ensure that students, faculty, staff and visitors are safe and not subject to further discrimination, harassment or retaliation. Sheri Schwab, J.D. Vice Provost for Institutional Equity & Diversity and NC State Title IX Officer   slschwab@ncsu.edu

CALS Human Resources CALS HR coordinates with NC State OIED on the investigation of discrimination complaints. Rebecca Zuvich, CALS Assistant Dean for Personnel  rebecca_zuvich@ncsu.edu

The Evaluation & Accountability Office facilitates efforts to ensure equal opportunity by ensuring adherence to accountability and compliance standards and providing guidance, resources, and professional development to support Research and Extension programs and services that meet the needs of NC communities. Meredith Weinstein, Evaluation & Accountability Coordinator and CALS Title VI Compliance Officer meredith_weinstein@ncsu.edu