Approved by President
Effective Date: December 1, 2020
Responsible Division: President
Responsible Office:  Institutional Equity and Compliance
Responsible Officer:  Assistant to the President for Institutional Equity and Compliance

I. Purpose

This policy provides for the orderly resolution of complaints of discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, disability, age (as applicable), status as a protected veteran, genetic information, and/or any other legally protected class. Such discrimination and harassment are strictly prohibited by Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU or University).

Complaints related to sexual misconduct, sexual discrimination, and sexual harassment (including claims based on pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression) should be addressed under the procedures set forth in Policies 27 Misconduct, Discrimination, and Harassment Based on Sex (Including Pregnancy, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity/Expression and 29 Title IX Compliance, and this policy shall not apply to such complaints. Fair and prompt consideration shall be given to all complaints in accordance with the procedures set forth below.

II. Scope

A.  These procedures shall be utilized by:

1.  Any employee or student who has been a victim of discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, disability, age (as applicable), status as a protected veteran, genetic information, and/or any other category protected by federal or state civil rights laws that apply to MTSU;

2.  Any former employee or student who has been a victim of discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, disability, age (as applicable), status as a protected veteran, genetic information, and/or any other category protected by federal or state civil rights laws that apply to MTSU, if the conduct took place during the time of employment or enrollment at MTSU;

3.  Any employee or student who has knowledge of discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, disability, age (as applicable), status as a protected veteran, genetic information, and/or any other category protected by federal or state civil rights laws that apply to MTSU against another employee or student in order to report such offenses; and,

4.  All third parties with whom MTSU has an educational or business relationship who have been a victim of discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, disability, age (as applicable), status as a protected veteran, genetic information, and/or any other category protected by federal or state civil rights laws that apply to MTSU, when the conduct has a reasonable connection to the University.

B.  This policy is adopted specifically to address the offenses defined herein.

All employees, including faculty members, and students shall be knowledgeable of policies and standards concerning discrimination and harassment. All faculty members, students, an