Policy Statement:

1. Valencia Community College strives to be a learning community in which all members can participate fully and equally in an atmosphere free from all forms of harassment, including sexual harassment, discrimination, or intimidation. Valencia Community College is an equal opportunity institution, and it is the policy of the District Board of Trustees to provide equal opportunity for employment and educational opportunities to all applicants for employment, employees, applicants for admission, students, and others affiliated with the College without regard to race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, marital status, gender, sexual orientation and any other factor protected under applicable federal state, and local civil rights laws, rules and regulations ("the Protected Categories").
    
2. Respect for the rights and privileges of each other is essential in preserving the learning environment at the College. Actions that make the atmosphere intimidating, threatening, or hostile to individuals are, therefore, regarded as serious offenses.  Valencia Community College prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of the Protected Categories in educational services and activities and in employment policies and practices.  Additionally, no member of the Valencia Community College community will be retaliated against, intimidated, or coerced for making a good faith report of alleged discrimination or harassment or for participating in an investigation, proceeding or hearing conducted by the College or by a state or federal agency. 
    
3. Socially and economically disadvantaged businesses, and local developing businesses, as defined in this Policy, shall have an opportunity to participate in College contracts in a non-discriminatory environment.  All employees involved in College procurement activities shall adhere to this policy of nondiscrimination.  Similarly, all vendors and/or contractors who do business with the College shall do so subject to this policy, to the extent that it requires that vendors and/or contractors do not discriminate against or harass members of the College community.
    
4. Any employee, student, student organization, business entity or person privileged to work or study in or for the Valencia Community College community who violates this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including periodic or permanent exclusion from the College or College business. The College shall implement grievance procedures for filing a complaint regarding discrimination or harassment in violation of this policy which may be found on the College website, in any Learning Resource Center, or in the office of any Dean, Provost, or Vice President. 
    
5. The person designated for general coordination and compliance with this policy is the Vice President for Human Resources and Diversity who can be contacted at Valencia Community College, Post Office Box 3028, Orlando, Florida 32802, 407-582-5000.
    
6. Applicants for employment, employees, applicants for admission, and students shall be notified of this policy in appropriate College publications, documents and the College website.

Related Documents and Policies:

History:

Formerly 6Hx28:07-01 Equal Opportunity Employment; 6Hx28:04-18 Civil Rights Discrimination Grievances; Hx28:04-39 AIDS; Hx28:04-44 Sexual Harassment; 6Hx2t8:05-14 Substitute Admission and Graduation Requirements for Disabled Students; Amended 12-10-02; Amended 12-21-04; Formerly 6Hx28:02-01