STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT

Winona State University is committed to conducting all personnel and educational activities without regard to race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, or membership or activity in a local commission as defined by law.  Personnel activities include, but are not limited to: recruitment, selection, placement, employee development, promotion, retention, compensation, leaves of absence, disciplinary action, transfer, demotion, termination, layoffs affecting all employees, and applicants for employment.  In accordance with state and federal equal opportunity/affirmative action laws, directives, orders, and regulations, Winona State University does not tolerate discrimination against persons based on their protected class status. 

Winona State University is committed to implementation of this affirmative action plan and fully supports the State of Minnesota’s affirmative action efforts.  Winona State University will implement and maintain an affirmative action program that takes aggressive measures to eliminate internal barriers to equal opportunity and that strives to remedy the historical under-representation in the employment, retention and promotion of persons with disabilities, minorities, and women. 

It is Winona State University’s policy to actively pursue equal employment practices during all phases of the employment process.  In that spirit, Winona State University will continue to seek opportunities to maximize the selection and retention of protected group employees by:

*Continuing to actively and aggressively recruit protected group applicants;

                               *Continuing to provide affirmative action training for employees, with an

                                   emphasis on those serving on selection committees; and

           *Supporting affirmative measures to retain protected group employees.

The University is committed to a policy and plan of affirmative action to support the implementation of fair and equitable employment practices.  The University is also committed to affirmatively retaining protected group employees.

All members of the University community bear responsibility for achieving the goals of the University’s equal opportunity and affirmative action policies.

I am committed to implementation of this plan.  I encourage employees of Winona State University to be actively involved in carrying out the Winona State University Affirmative Action Plan.

Judith A. Ramaley, President