OSU Extension's Commitment to Diversity/EEO/AA

Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Director, OSU Extension

As an organization whose mission is "engaging people to strengthen their lives and communities through research-based educational programming", it is essential we truly do mean all people. While policy is important, embracing and demonstrating respect for diversity goes beyond the Equal Employment Opportunity Act and the Affirmative Action Plan. Mere words will not achieve our goal of establishing a diverse community in which each employee can learn, grow and prosper in a climate of mutual respect, civility and intellectual challenge and freedom. Today our world is a diverse, multicultural environment. In both our personal and professional lives, we will increasingly be made more aware of our pluralistic society. This includes all diversity and is not only defined by race and gender but by age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status and in diversity of thought as well.

Where we once thought of the world as a "melting pot" and where assimilation was organizationally and socially required, we now know that as educators we have an opportunity and a responsibility to create an environment that nurtures and sustains diversity and eliminates discrimination at all levels. We need to move beyond just having a diverse work force and diverse program audience to truly being a multicultural organization. The emphasis and appreciation of diversity will help move us to that goal. This will be an ongoing process. In order to do this, we must continually pursue programs and practices that are pluralistic in every dimension. However, it is more than just programming and practice. We must also reflect on our own background and realize that we can be personally enhanced and enriched by our interaction with others. Like a kaleidoscope that changes its configuration each time it is moved, our attitudes and beliefs can evolve as well. We can maintain our own cultural values yet appreciate and learn from other diverse cultures that make up our organization and our society.

Reference: Taylor, Lorraine S. and Whittaker, Catharine R. (2003). Bridging multiple worlds: case studies of diverse educational communities. Allyn and Bacon, Boston, MA .

 

• AA / EEO Data Collection Form (pdf)
• AA / EEO Tag Lines
• ADA Accommodations - Frequently Asked Questions
• Employee Procedures for filing a grievance or complaint related to AA / EEO or Sexual Harassment (doc)
• OSU Human Resources Affirmative Action / EEO Policy
• OSU Sexual Harassment Policy
• Statement of Understanding and Compliance with Civil Rights Laws (pdf)- (To be signed annually by groups, organizations working cooperatively with Extension to provide programming)
• Cliente Complaint Procedure (doc)
• Civil Rights Laws, Regulations, Executive Orders and related Other Guidance
• OSU Extension Strategic Diversity Plan (doc)
• CSREES Civil Rights Compliance Review Guidelines for Extension
• CSREES Civil Rights Compliance Review Guidelines for Research Stations