Policies and Procedures
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
University of Maine Affirmative Action Policy Statement
The policy of the University of Maine System is to provide equal
opportunity in its role as an employer and educational institution. In
complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its
own goals of diversity, the University of Maine shall not discriminate
on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation,
national origin, or citizenship status, age, disability or veterans
status in any area of the University. This policy includes, but is not
limited to, the requirements of Executive Orders 11246 and 11375, as
amended; Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as
amended; and Section 402 of the Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Assistance
Act of 1974. In addition, in order to address the effects of past
discrimination and to meet its affirmative action obligations under
federal and state laws, the University of Maine will take affirmative
action to recruit and hire qualified women and minorities in selected
areas in accordance with the goals outlined in this Plan. The University
of Maine also regards freedom from sexual harassment as an individual
employee and student right which will be safeguarded as a matter of
policy.
Through its commitment to equal employment opportunity and affirmative
action, the University will benefit by developing and utilizing all
available human resources. All employment practices of the University of
Maine, including recruiting, hiring, training, promoting, and retaining
persons in all jobs, will comply with this policy. Affirmative action
will be taken to recruit qualified women, minorities, individuals with
disabilities, and veterans for all job openings. Personnel actions such
as compensation, benefits, transfers, layoffs, return from layoff,
University-sponsored training, educational programs, leaves, tuition
assistance, and social and recreational programs will be administered
without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation,
national origin or citizenship status, age, physical or mental
disability or veterans status. Employees who are members of protected
groups will be invited to identify themselves so that the University of
Maine can monitor all personnel action to ensure that it is able to meet
its EEO/AA responsibilities. In the selected areas designated for
affirmative action by the Plan, search committees will take all
necessary steps to create as large and diverse a pool of applicants as
possible and, when choosing among applicants with substantially equal
qualifications, will give special consideration to highly qualified
women and minority candidates.
All departments and all personnel are responsible for implementing and
following the policy within the scope of their individual job
responsibilities. The achievement of applicable University Equal
Employment Opportunity goals is the responsibility of each administrator
and supervisor.
In order to ensure equal employment opportunity, the Director of Equal
Opportunity, who is responsible to the President, has been assigned the
responsibility of developing, implementing, coordinating, and monitoring
the University of Maine Affirmative Action Program. The Director of
Equal Opportunity is responsible for monitoring compliance
with equal opportunity and affirmative action laws and regulations, and
for keeping me informed of personnel actions and progress in this area.
All employees have access to informal and formal complaint procedures
for review of personnel actions that they believe are discriminatory.
Employees are encouraged to contact the Director of Equal Opportunity
for information about these procedures. Copies of the procedures are
also available at the Raymond H. Fogler Library. The Director of Equal
Opportunity is located at 101 North Stevens Hall and can also
be contacted by telephone and TDD at 581-1226.
This Affirmative Action Plan outlines goals for administrators, faculty
members, professional and classified staff, and methods of attaining
these goals at the University of Maine. The text of this Plan and
information about applicable Equal employment Opportunity goals will be
distributed to all administrators. Representatives of the bargaining
agents will also receive the text of the Plan. This policy statement
will be distributed to all employees. The availability of the Plan will
be announced internally and externally. A copy of the plan has been
placed in Raymond H. Fogler Library. The Plan will also be provided to
employees and other interested persons upon request. Requests should be
directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 North
Stevens Hall.
Peter S. Hoff, President
September 1999
