{"id":74,"date":"2025-05-22T10:16:10","date_gmt":"2025-05-22T15:16:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/live-wsu.pantheonsite.io\/about\/?page_id=74"},"modified":"2025-05-30T13:16:53","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T18:16:53","slug":"affirmative-action","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/about\/leadership\/affirmative-action\/","title":{"rendered":"Affirmative Action"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"hero\">\n    <div class=\"hero__wrap\">\n        <div class=\"hero__media\">\n                        <picture>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/12\/WSU-Campus-Fall-2018-10-24_115854.jpg\" alt=\"placeholder\">\n            <\/picture>\n                     \n                    <\/div>\n        <div class=\"hero__container\">\n            <div class=\"breadcrumbs\"><div class=\"breadcrumbs__container\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/about\">About<\/a> <span class=\"breadcrumbs__separator\"><\/span> <span class=\"current\">Page<\/span>\n<\/div><\/div>\n            <div class=\"hero__content\">\n                <div class=\"hero__text\">\n                                        <h1 class=\"hero__title\" data-animation=\"fade-in-up\" data-animate=\"true\">Affirmative Action<\/h1>                    <div class=\"hero__description\" data-animation=\"fade-in-up\" data-animate=\"true\">\n                        <p>WSU ensures that everyone has opportunities to pursue academics, apply for jobs and maintain employment, and use University services without discrimination.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    \n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n    \n<div id=\"\" class=\"panel panel--relative panel--white\">\n    <div class=\"panel__container\">                    <div class=\"panel__header\">\n                <div class=\"panel__intro\">\n                                                    <div class=\"panel__description panel__description--wide\">\n                        <p>Winona State University is committed to providing a campus environment where all people are welcomed, valued, respected, and unobstructed in their education and employment.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div class=\"panel__main\">\n            \n\n<p>Our policy of equal opportunity and nondiscrimination prohibits discrimination or harassment based upon:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>race<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>sex<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>color<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>creed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>religion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>age<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>national origin<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>disability<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>marital status<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>use of public assistance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>gender identity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>gender expression<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, discrimination in employment based upon familial status or membership or activity in a local commission as defined by law is also prohibited.&nbsp; \u200b<\/p>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n    \n<div id=\"\" class=\"panel panel--relative panel--purple\">\n    <div class=\"panel__container\">                <div class=\"panel__main\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"wsu-block feature-panel\">\n    <div class=\"feature-panel__content\">\n        <div class=\"feature-panel__main\">\n   <div class=\"feature-panel__title h2\">Affirmative Action Plan<\/div>\n   <div class=\"feature-panel__description\">Through Affirmative Action, we actively take steps to overcome the present effects of past practices, policies, and barriers to equal education and employment opportunities.<\/div>\n   \n\n<p>Affirmative Action policies and programs are tools to make additional efforts to recruit, hire, and promote qualified women, people of color, and people with disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/WSU-Affirmative-Action-Plan.pdf\" class=\"wsu-link cta-button cta-button--external cta-button--lime cta-button--\" data-animation=\"fade-in-up\" data-animate=\"true\" >\n    <span>WSU Affirmative Action Plan (PDF)<\/span>\n<\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"feature-panel__media\">\n   <div class=\"feature-panel__image\">\n       <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/12\/WSU-Students-Classroom-2017-11-28_155729-600x400.jpg\" alt=\"A group of students talk and laugh in a classroom.\">\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n    \n<div id=\"\" class=\"panel panel--relative panel--white\">\n    <div class=\"panel__container\">                <div class=\"panel__main\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"wsu-block feature-panel feature-panel--reverse\">\n    <div class=\"feature-panel__content\">\n        <div class=\"feature-panel__main\">\n   <div class=\"feature-panel__title h2\">Reasonable Accommodations<\/div>\n   <div class=\"feature-panel__description\">WSU is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors with disabilities.<\/div>\n   \n\n<p>We will provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations to people with disabilities in compliance the <a href=\"https:\/\/adata.org\/learn-about-ada\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/adata.org\/learn-about-ada\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Americans with Disabilities Act<\/a>\u00a0(ADA) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dol.gov\/agencies\/oasam\/centers-offices\/civil-rights-center\/statutes\/section-504-rehabilitation-act-of-1973\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"feature-panel__media\">\n   <div class=\"feature-panel__image\">\n       <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/12\/WSU-Campus-Banners-2017-06-12_143111-600x400.jpg\" alt=\"Purple banners with the WSU mission and Flaming W logo hang from campus light poles.\">\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Under the ADA and Section 504, a person is considered to have a disability if they:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol style=\"list-style-type:1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity (such as hearing, seeing, speaking, breathing, performing manual tasks, walking, caring for oneself, learning, or concentrating)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>have a record of having such impairment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>are regarded as having such an impairment class<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Concerns &amp; Complaints<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have any concerns about disability accommodations, reach out to ADA\/504 Compliance Officer Lori Mikl at <a href=\"mailto:legalaffairs@winona.edu\" data-type=\"mailto\" data-id=\"mailto:legalaffairs@winona.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">legalaffairs@winona.edu<\/a> or 507.457.5003.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You could also access the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/ocrportal.hhs.gov\/ocr\/smartscreen\/main.jsf\" target=\"_blank\">Office of Civil Rights Complaint Portal<\/a> to file a complaint.<\/p>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n    \n<div id=\"\" class=\"panel panel--relative panel--white\">\n    <div class=\"panel__container\">                    <div class=\"panel__header\">\n                <div class=\"panel__intro\">\n                                    <div id= \"file-a-complaint\" class=\"h2\">File a Complaint<\/div>\n                                                    <div class=\"panel__description panel__description--wide\">\n                        <p>The Affirmative Action Office provides services to faculty, staff, and students who believe they have been harassed or discriminated against because they are a member of a protected class.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div class=\"panel__main\">\n            \n\n<p>We are also responsible for investigating <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/about\/leadership\/title-ix\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"77\">Title IX <\/a>allegations of discrimination, harassment, sexual violence, and sex discrimination. \u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You may file a discrimination or harassment complaint verbally or in writing by contacting the Affirmative Action Office.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-block contact-card mb-1\">\n   <div class=\"contact-card__content\">\n       <div class=\"contact-card__title h4\">\n           Lori J. Mikl\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__subtitle h4\">\n           Title IX Coordinator | Director of Affirmative Action, Equity &amp; Legal Affairs\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__description\">\n           <p>Somsen Hall 211<br \/>\n507.457.2766<\/p>\n\n       <\/div>\n       <a class=\"wsu-link contact-card__link\" href=\"mailto:legalaffairs@winona.edu\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"\">Email Affirmative Action, Equity, &amp; Legal Affairs<\/a>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>While not required, you are encouraged to complete the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Discrimination-Complaint-Form-2022.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Discrimination &amp; Harassment Complaint Form<\/a> (PDF) and deliver it as part of your complaint to the Office of Affirmative Action\/Equity and Legal Affairs located in Somsen 211.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All complaints received will be handled in a timely and appropriate manner in accordance with the Minnesota State 1B.1.1 Investigative Procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information, please see <a href=\"http:\/\/www.minnstate.edu\/board\/policy\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Minnesota State Policies and Regulations<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/administration.winona.edu\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/administration.winona.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Winona State University Policies and Regulations<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to the internal complaint process, you may also file a complaint with the following organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-block grid grid--33\">\n    <div class=\"wsu-block contact-card mb-1\">\n   <div class=\"contact-card__content\">\n       <div class=\"contact-card__title h4\">\n           MN Department of Human Rights\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__subtitle h4\">\n           \n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__description\">\n           <p>612.296.5663 or 800.657.3704\u200b<br \/>\nTTY: 651.296.1283\u200b<\/p>\n<p>190 East 5th Street, Suite 700\u200b<br \/>\nSt. Paul, MN 55101\u200b<\/p>\n\n       <\/div>\n       <a class=\"wsu-link contact-card__link\" href=\"https:\/\/mn.gov\/mdhr\/\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"\">Learn More<\/a>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wsu-block contact-card mb-1\">\n   <div class=\"contact-card__content\">\n       <div class=\"contact-card__title h4\">\n           U.S. Department of Education\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__subtitle h4\">\n           Office for Civil Rights\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__description\">\n           <p>312.730.1560 or TDD: 877.521.2172\u200b<br \/>\nFax: 312.730.1576\u200b<br \/>\nEmail: <a href=\"mailto:OCR.Chicago@ed.gov\">OCR.Chicago@ed.gov<\/a> (preferred)\u200b<\/p>\n\n       <\/div>\n       <a class=\"wsu-link contact-card__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ed.gov\/about\/ed-organization\/functional-statements\/ocr-functional-statements\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"\">Learn More<\/a>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wsu-block contact-card mb-1\">\n   <div class=\"contact-card__content\">\n       <div class=\"contact-card__title h4\">\n           U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__subtitle h4\">\n           Chicago District Office\u200b\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__description\">\n           <p>1.800.669.4000<br \/>\nTTY: 1.800.669.6820\u200b<\/p>\n\n       <\/div>\n       <a class=\"wsu-link contact-card__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eeoc.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"\">Learn More<\/a>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>WSU provides an education and employment environment which embraces diversity and provides equal opportunity for students and employees with affirmative action 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