Ferris State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran or military status, height, weight, protected disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable State or federal laws or regulations in education, employment, housing, public services, or other University operations, including, but not limited to, admissions, programs, activities, hiring, promotion, discharge, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, classification, referral, or retention. Retaliation against any person making a charge, filing a legitimate complaint, testifying, or participating in any discrimination investigation or proceeding is prohibited.
Title IX is commonly associated with sex-based discrimination in athletics, but the law is much broader. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that provides:
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
Discrimination Under Title IX
In the provision of aid, benefit or service to students, the university may not, on the basis of sex:
- Treat one student differently from another in determining whether the student satisfies any requirement or condition for the provision of any aid, benefit, or service
- Provide different aid, benefits, or services or provide aid, benefits, or services in a different manner
- Deny any student any such aid, benefit, or service
- Subject students to separate or different rules of behavior, sanctions, or other treatment
- Aid or perpetuate discrimination against a student by providing significant assistance to any agency, organization, or person that discriminates on the basis of sex in providing any aid, benefit, or service to students
- Otherwise limit any student in the enjoyment of any right, privilege, advantage, or opportunity.
Source: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/shguide.html
Such aids, benefits or services may include, but are not limited to, admissions, recruitment, financial aid, academic programs, student treatment and services, counseling and guidance, discipline, classroom assignment, grading, vocational education, recreation, physical education, athletics, housing and employment.
Source: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.pdf
Discrimination Complaint Resources
The University takes all complaints of discriminatory conduct seriously and is committed to prompt, thorough, and appropriate review of allegations made or known to the administration. Individuals who believe that they have been the victims of conduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Non-Discrimination and/or its Employee and Student Dignity Policy or who believe that they have witnessed or otherwise have information about conduct in violation of those University policies should promptly report complaints to the University.