Civil Rights Information & Resources

Public Notification Plan

PURPOSE

This document establishes policy for ensuring positive and continuing notification of UMass Extension’s equal opportunity policy to the public.

POLICY

It is the policy of UMass Extension:

That no person shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation , or marital or family status in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by Extension. This policy will be communicated to the public through all appropriate University public information channels, in English and in languages appropriate to the local populations where ever possible and also through alternative means of communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) in accordance with the capacity of the University’s Office of Disability Services resources and the limitations of local program sites.
To reach out in proactive ways to people who have not participated equally in its programs and activities in the past. This policy will be demonstrated to persons through all public contacts.
Not to participate in any public meeting in which persons are illegally discriminated against because of their race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation , or marital or family status.
To use positive examples of employment and program participation by minorities, women and other protected groups in pictures and other visual and sound public information materials.

AUTHORITY

CSREES Civil Rights Laws, Authorities, and Regulations

University of Massachusetts and State Policies and Offices

UMass Amherst Equal Opportunity and Diversity Office
http://www.umass.edu/eod/
UMass Non-Discrimination Policy
http://www.umass.edu/ug_programguide/nondiscrim.html
UMass Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures
http://www.umass.edu/eod/sexual.html
UMass Grievance Procedure
http://www.umass.edu/eod/grievance.html
UMass Faculty and Staff Search Procedures
http://www.umass.edu/eod/search.html
Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
http://www.mass.gov/mcad/

DESCRIPTION OF UMASS EXTENSION NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENTS

The following non-discrimination statement is to be used in the next issuance of publications. It will be posted in all offices and included, in full on all materials which are produced by UMass Extension and its programs for public information, public education or public distribution, except for small brochures, business cards and web e-mail trailers where the short form may be used in a print size no smaller than the text. The statement shall be in English and in languages appropriate to the local population, and in alternative means of communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) whenever possible.

Non-discrimination Clause Short Form:

UMass Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer, United States Department of Agriculture cooperating. Contact your local Extension office for information on disability accommodations or the UMass Extension Director if you have complaints related to discrimination, 413-545-4800.

Non-discrimination Clause Long Form:

UMass Extension prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status.

UMass Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer, United States Department of Agriculture cooperating.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape; etc.) should contact their local Extension office. For reasonable accommodations information or contact the main Extension office in Amherst.

Those who wish to file a complaint of discrimination are urged to contact the Extension Director to first discuss the situation and determine remedies or to request the appropriate University, state or federal complaint procedure and forms. Contact information: UMass Extension, University of Massachusetts, 101 University Drive, Suite C1, Amherst, MA 01002; telephone: 413-545-4800, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. All such calls will be promptly responded to.

RESPONSIBILITIES

UMass Extension will:

Follow policy guidance from CSREES Office of Civil Rights and their Review Teams.
Display the USDA Non-discrimination poster “And Justice for All” in Extension offices in a prominent location.
Monitor its internal programs, affiliated agency and program recipient actions through established review activities for compliance with CSREES policy.
Consult with CSREES on the appropriate content of new or revised non-discrimination statements.
Establish outreach education programs at the local level to ensure that all persons, especially those who previously may not have participated fully, know about the availability of and how to use CSREES/USDA/UMass Extension program services effectively and are encouraged to participate.
Include appropriate references to USDA equal opportunity policy in public speeches and meetings.
Include the non-discrimination statement in full on all materials which are produced by Extension and its agencies for public information, public education or public distribution. A rule of reason will be applied as to the need for the statement in specific situation with policy guidance provided by the CSREES Office of Civil Rights. Extension offices will post the non-discrimination statement in languages appropriate to the local population whenever possible.

UMass Outreach Marketing and Communications will:

Review and monitor all public information materials submitted to it for compliance with the policy established in this regulation.
Encourage updating of Extension mailing lists on a regular basis by requesting staff updates on new organizations or individuals representing racial/ethnic minorities, disabilities and sexes to include on mailing and electronic lists.

UMASS EXTENSION PUBLIC NOTIFICATION METHODS

UMass Extension requires that significant efforts be made to notify its constituents and potential program participants of its equal opportunity, non-discrimination policies. Public Notification methods include the following:
Equal opportunity/non-discrimination statements are required in all publications, on letterhead, applications and in any other printed Extension materials.
Volunteers in Extension including advisories, task forces and committees are informed of the requirement that they comply with civil rights principles.
Legal contracts and memoranda of agreement with partnering organizations contain specific language requiring their compliance with EEO/AA/CR laws and regulations.
Catalog and brochure pictures, Extension publications, videos, research bulletins, program announcements, web-site articles and other similar publications reflect diversity in programming, employment.
An ADA statement reflecting University and USDA specifications for the disabled is prominent in all materials promoting programs or services.
Staff of Extension offices will begin to input into the main Extension mailing list local churches, civic groups, etc. with large minority membership as a way to promote programs and employment.
Position descriptions for all Extension positions are in the process of being updated to include responsibility for programming in accordance with EEO/AA/CR guidelines.
An Extension Civil Rights Web resource guide will be active and link all Extension audiences and staff to EEO/AA/CR federal and state laws, regulations and University offices providing services, including complaint procedures on campus and through the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.
All staff participate in EEO/AA/CR trainings in order to be current on the law, and are aware of the Public Notification Policy and able to communicate the same to their clientele as appropriate.
Extension’s commitment to affirmative action and equal opportunity in employment is emphasized in university presentations and public talks.
Extension programs' accomplishments in outreach to diverse audiences are consistently featured on the Extension web-site, publications and in major reports to University audiences.