Policies

Assurance of Compliance

Pursuant to applicable federal and state laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Executive Order 11246, Revised Order 4, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as such laws may be revised or amended, with their respective applicable implementing regulations, including Title 34, Subtitle B, Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (collectively, "applicable laws") and to applicable policies ("policies") of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and the President of The University of Georgia ("UGA"), UGA continues its affirmative implementation of equal opportunity to employees, students, covered contractors and vendors, and applicants for employment, admission, or contractor or vendor status. UGA will act in matters of employment, admissions, programs, services, and activities free of prohibited bias with regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, genetic information and disability.

Accordingly, UGA will not discriminate in employment, admissions, programs, services, or activities with regard to any position for which the applicant, employee, or student is qualified and will make reasonable accommodation for disabilities. UGA provides this certification of equal employment opportunity as a federal fund recipient, contractor, and vendor or supplier to federal contractors and requires like certification from non-exempt vendors, suppliers, and sub contractors.

The Affirmative Action Plan implementing applicable law is administered by the undersigned. Telephone inquiries concerning this Plan may be directed to her office at (706) 542-7912.

E. Janyce Dawkins
Director
Equal Opportunity Office

3 Peabody Hall
Athens, Georgia 30602-1622
Telephone (706) 542-7912
Fax (706) 542-2822
http://eoo.uga.edu

Revised: September 2012

Downloadable Vesion of Full Policy (.pdf)

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Disabled Veteran and Vietnam Era Veteran Faculty, Staff and Job Applicants

The University of Georgia ("UGA'') is a government contractor subject to Section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974 ("Act") that requires contractors to apply affirmative action guidelines to the employment and advancement of Vietnam era veterans and qualified disabled veterans.

Any person addressed in this memorandum who wishes to be considered under UGA's program of affirmative action may notify UGA Human Resources Division (if a classified employee or applicant) or the UGA Equal Opportunity Office (if a faculty member or administrative employee or applicant). A request to be considered under UGA's program of affirmative action may be made immediately or at any time in the future. Submission of this information is voluntary and refusal to provide it will not subject the individual to discharge or disciplinary action.

Information obtained concerning covered individuals will be kept confidential, except that (i)
supervisors and managers may be informed regarding restrictions on the work or duties of disabled individuals and regarding necessary accommodations; (ii) first aid and safety personnel may be informed, when and to the extent appropriate, if a disabling condition might require emergency treatment; and (iii) government officials investigating compliance with the Act will be informed as required.

Any disabled veteran who notifies either of the above offices of his or her desire to be included under the UGA program of affirmative action can assist responsible officials by making them aware of (i) the skills used or intended to be used to perform the job notwithstanding the disability and (ii) the accommodations UGA could make to enable proper and safe performance of the position. Inquiries and complaints involving application of this policy can be directed to the undersigned at the address and telephone number below.

E. Janyce Dawkins
Director
Equal Opportunity Office

3 Peabody Hall
Athens, GA 30602-1622
Telephone (706) 542-7912
Fax (706) 542-2822
http://eoo.uga.edu

Revised: September 2012

Downloadable Version of Full Policy (.pdf)

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UGA Faculty, Staff, and Job Applicants With Disabilities

The University of Georgia ("UGA") is subject to provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that require UGA to apply affirmative action guidelines to the employment and advancement of otherwise qualified persons who are disabled within the meaning of applicable laws. UGA is also a covered entity under the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"), which prohibits discrimination in employment, programs, services, and activities against an otherwise qualified individual with a disability on the basis of that disability.

Any person addressed in this memorandum who wishes to be considered under UGA's program of affirmative action may so notify UGA Human Resources Division (if a faculty member or applicant or a classified or administrative employee or applicant). Submission of this information is voluntary and refusal to provide it will not subject the individual to any adverse action.

Information obtained concerning covered individuals shall be kept confidential, except that (1) supervisor and managers may be informed regarding restrictions on the work or duties of a disabled person and regarding necessary reasonable accommodations; (2) first aid and safety personnel may be informed, when and to the extent appropriate, if the condition might require emergency treatment; and (3) government officials investigating compliance with federal law shall be informed. No use shall be made of such information that is inconsistent with applicable laws.

Complaints involving this policy should be addressed in accordance with the provisions of UGA's Non Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy found at: http://eoo.uga.edu/policies/NDAH-Policy.html

Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the office of the undersigned at the address and telephone number below.

E. Janyce Dawkins
ADA/504 Compliance Officer/UGA Disabilities Coordinator

3 Peabody Hall
Athens, Georgia 30602-1622
Telephone (706) 542-7912
Fax (706) 542-2822 www.eoo.uga.edu

Revised: September 2012

Downloadable Version of Full Policy (.pdf)

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SEX DISCRMINATION

Consistent with the requirements of applicable federal and state law, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as such laws may be revised or amended, with their respective applicable implementing regulations, including Title 34, Subtitle B, Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations and with the Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Policy of the University of Georgia ("UGA"), UGA does not discriminate on the basis of sex in employment, programs, services, or activities.

All recruitment is conducted without regard to sex except where sex is a bona fide occupational qualification ("BFOQ"). There are presently no positions at UGA for which sex is a BFOQ. There are, however, positions having job-related physical requirements that are not sex-based and that are not used as a subterfuge for exclusion of females. Both male and female applicants, students, employees, recipients of programs and services, and participants in activities have an equal opportunity to apply and be considered for any available job, program, service, or activity for which they are qualified.

UGA does not make any distinction based upon sex, either in employment opportunities, wages, hours, and benefits, conditions of employment or as to the normal age of retirement. Any conditions of employment or eligibility for programs, services, or activities related of marital status, parental status, or age shall apply regardless of sex. UGA provides appropriate and comparable physical facilities for both males and females.

Policy regarding leaves of absence applies equally to all employees regardless of sex. Employees availing themselves of maternity leave are permitted to work as long as allowed by their health care providers and may return to work in like manner. No mandatory time limits exist for maternity or any disability leave. Disability due to pregnancy shall be considered as any other disability and appropriate sick leave provisions shall apply.

UGA does not restrict one sex to a certain classification. Notification of all job opportunities is made available to all employees, regardless of sex, and all employees are encouraged to apply, regardless of sex. Both male and female employees within a job class have equal access to any training programs. Violations of the UGA policy on sexual harassment will be treated as a form of discrimination subject to the same level of vigilance, enforcement, and sanction as other forms of discrimination.

Sexual harassment policy is currently administered by the Equal Opportunity Office and may be reviewed at http://eoo.uga.edu/policies/NDAH-Policy.html

The Title VII and Title IX Officer of the UGA is the Director of the Equal Opportunity Office, E. Janyce Dawkins. Inquiries regarding this sex discrimination policy should be directed to the office of the undersigned at the address and telephone number below.

E. Janyce Dawkins
Director
Equal Opportunity Office

3 Peabody Hall
Athens, Georgia 30602-1622
Telephone (706) 542-7912
Fax (706) 542-2822
http://eoo.uga.edu

Revised September 2012

Downloadable Version of Full Policy (.pdf)

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Notice of Provision and Applicability of the

Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act

The University of Georgia (“UGA”) is required to comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, as well as the regulations implementing these laws (Collectively, “ADA” and “Rehab. Act”, respectively). Renovations and additions to UGA facilities, as well as new construction since effective dates of the ADA and Rehab Act, have been carried out in accordance with the ADA and Rehab Act.

The ADA provides that no qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of the disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any public entity. The ADA also requires UGA to “make reasonable modifications in policies, practices, or procedures when the modifications are necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability, unless the public entity can demonstrate that making the modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity.

If you are an individual with a disability who may require assistance or accommodation in order to participate in or receive the benefit of a service, program, or activity of UGA, or if you desire more information, you may contact the coordinator of the specific service, program or activity involved or the undersigned ADA Coordinator at the address and telephone number below.

Text telephone users may route inquiries through the Georgia Relay Center at 711.

E. Janyce Dawkins
ADA/504 Compliance Officer/UGA Disability Coordinator

3 Peabody Hall
Athens, GA 30602-1622
Telephone (706) 542-7912
Fax (706) 542-2822
http://eoo.uga.edu

Revised: September 2012

Downloadable Verson of Full Policy (.pdf)

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Posting Notices in a Format Accessible to Individuals with Disabilities

The University of Georgia (“UGA”) is required by law to post notices describing the Federal laws prohibiting job discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, genetic information and disability.

Posters, prepared by and available from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), summarize these laws and explain what action an employee or applicant can take if he or she believes that he or she has been the victim of discrimination. These posters have been distributed to employing units of UGA and are routinely placed in conspicuous locations in the workplace where notices to applicants and employees are customarily posted.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) requires that notices of Federal laws prohibiting job discrimination be available in a location that is accessible to applicants and employees with disabilities that limit mobility.

Accordingly, printed notices should be made available in an accessible format, as needed, to persons with disabilities that limit their ability to see or read. Notices can be read to applicants or employees with disabilities that limit seeing or reading ability. Questions regarding availability of notices in alternate format may be directed to the UGA Equal Opportunity Office at (706) 542-7912.

The EEOC has "Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law" posters available at:
http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
1801 L Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20507
(800) 669-EEOC or (800) 800-3302 (TDD) or (202) 663-4264

E. Janyce Dawkins
ADA Compliance Officer

3 Peabody Hall
Athens, GA 30602-1622
Telephone (706) 542-7912
Fax (706) 542-2822
http://eoo.uga.edu

Revised: September 2012

Downloadable Version of Full Policy (.pdf)

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Service Animal Policy

This policy (“Policy”) is to implement federal and state laws regarding access for service animals as defined herein that assist people with disabilities at the University of Georgia (“UGA”).

1. Service Animal Defined.
Under federal law, a service animal is defined as:
any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler’s disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition.

As indicated, the purpose of a service animal is to assist an individual with a disability as defined under federal law (“Handler”).
Georgia law (see the Appendix), provides that for purposes of access to UGA facilities, programs, services or activities (“UGA Facilities”), persons (“Partners”) accompanying dogs being trained to be “service animals,” subject to certain identification and other requirements (“service animals in training”), are required to be given the same degree of access to which a disabled Handler assisted by a service animal is entitled under applicable federal law.
Accordingly, for purposes of this Policy, “Service Animals” are collectively defined to include those that are defined by or the subject of applicable federal law and Georgia law. Service Animals do not include animals of any species that are pets or used merely for emotional comfort, support or therapy.

2. Extent of and Restrictions on Service Animal Access.

UGA may prohibit or otherwise restrict the access of Service Animals in certain UGA Facilities due to health or safety restrictions and concerns, where their presence may compromise the integrity of certain research or otherwise fundamentally alter a program or activity of UGA. Any such prohibition or other restriction on access to any UGA Facility pursuant to this Policy shall be determined in writing using the guidance provided by this Policy and other relevant information by responsible officials of each affected UGA unit with copies provided to the Director of the UGA Disability Resource Center (“DRC”) and the UGA Director of Equal Opportunity/Disability Compliance Officer (“Disability Compliance Officer”). Such restrictions include, but are not limited to:

Food preparation areas.
Teaching or research laboratories.
Classrooms or other facilities or activities involving demonstration or research animals.
Mechanical rooms or custodial closets such as boiler rooms, facility equipment rooms, electrical closets, elevator control rooms, and similar spaces.
Areas where personal protective clothing or equipment are necessary.
Areas where there is a danger to the Service Animal such as classrooms or wood/metal/machine shops, where there are sharp metal cuttings or other sharp objects on the floor or protruding from a surface, where there is hot material on the floor (e.g. molten metal or glass), where there is a high level of dust, where there are harmful chemicals or materials, or where there is moving machinery.
Such other areas where the Service Animal or other animals may be endangered or constitute a danger to persons or ,
Areas where the presence of the Service Animal would cause or require a fundamental alteration of a UGA program or activity.

3. Notifications.
The Disability Compliance Officer will coordinate with UGA units that restrict access of Service Animals from specific UGA Facilities to provide appropriate notice to all members of the UGA community and the public at large as to those UGA Facilities that are Service Animal restricted.

4. Requirements of Handlers and Partners and Grounds for Removal of Service Animals from UGA Facilities.

a. Handlers and Partners are required to keep their Service Animals under their direct physical control at all times by means of an appropriate leash or other lead of a type and length that enables the Handler or Partner to maintain close and direct physical control of the Service Animal. Handlers and Partners are also prohibited from transferring such control to another person even momentarily, requesting the assistance of other persons in supervising or controlling their Service Animals or otherwise leaving the presence of their Service Animals for any period of time while on UGA facilities. Any Handler or Partner seeking an exception from the requirements of this subparagraph 4a., such as in the case of a Handler or Partner residing in UGA housing must request an appropriate exception as provided in paragraph 7 of this policy.

b. Handlers and Partners are required to remove a Service Animal that is unruly or disruptive (e.g. biting or attempting to bite, barking, running around, jumping at or up on people or other excessive physical activity that goes beyond repositioning itself on the down stay), or may be directed to do so by a UGA faculty or staff member or by any member of the UGA Police Department. In determining whether a Service Animal is being unruly or disruptive within the meaning of this paragraph, all facts and circumstances may be considered. In the event of such behavior by a Service Animal, it may be denied access to UGA Facilities until the Handler or Partner can demonstrate that he or she has taken sufficient steps to correct or control the unacceptable behavior of the Service Animal.

c. Handlers and Partners shall not bring a Service Animal that is ill to UGA Facilities and must remove the Service Animal from UGA Facilities immediately if it becomes ill. A Handler or Partner with a Service Animal that appears to be ill may be asked to remove the Service Animal from UGA Facilities by UGA Police or other UGA faculty or staff.

d. Handlers and Partners must ensure that their Service Animals are kept clean and well groomed. Handlers and Partners with Service Animals that are in the reasonable opinion of a responsible faculty or staff member of the affected UGA unit, unhygienic (e.g. flea-infested, foul-smelling, or inadequately groomed as may be appropriate for the breed and other physical characteristics of the particular Service Animal) may be asked to leave UGA Facilities or activities until such conditions are corrected.

e. Handlers and Partners must ensure that their Service Animals are housebroken. Service Animals will be excluded from UGA Facilities if they are not. In the event of an isolated incident of a Service Animal failing to control its bodily eliminations due to illness or accident, the Handler or Partner is responsible for immediately and properly cleaning up and disposing of any bodily fluids or solid waste from the Service Animal whether indoors or outdoors.
Proper clean-up will depend on the specific circumstances but includes at a minimum physical removal of any liquid and solid wastes and disposal of the same and the cleaning materials used securely in a plastic bag and deposited in an outdoor waste container. To this end, Handlers and Partners are required to have in their possession at all times when accompanied by their Service Animals appropriate and sufficient cleaning materials and disposal bags whenever their Service Animals are present on UGA Facilities.
In the event of any such incident and after the immediate clean-up action required above, the Handler or Partner must notify an appropriate UGA employee in the affected building or area of the incident, such as those persons performing custodial or reception functions in the affected building so that further deodorization and disinfection procedures can be performed as needed by appropriate UGA personnel. Where such UGA personnel are not readily available, the Handler or Partner must contact UGA Custodial Services at 706-542-0293 (if in a building) or the UGA Grounds Department at 706-542-7540 (if outside a building).

In the case of a Handler whose disability prevents or impairs the ability to comply with the requirements of this paragraph, as required by applicable federal laws, it is the responsibility of such Handler to have previously made satisfactory arrangements for a third party to perform all actions required by this paragraph. Such arrangements must be documented in the Handler’s disability records either at the DRC, if a student, or at the Office of Faculty and Staff Relations (“FASR”) of UGA Human Resources for all others. In all cases of damage to UGA facilities by a Service Animal failing to control its bodily eliminations due to illness or accident or in any other manner, the Handler or Partner is personally responsible for the cost of additional cleaning of or repairs to UGA Facilities.

f. Handlers or Partners of a Service Animal shall be liable for any and all costs resulting when a Service Animal causes damage to UGA Facilities or injury to persons. In the case of any incident involving injury to a person by a Service Animal, the Handler or Partner shall make an immediate report to the UGA Police Department so that the incident can be properly investigated and documented and the Handler or Partner shall also fully comply with any state or local law or regulation requiring additional reports to other government agencies that may be required due to the physical injury caused by the Service Animal.
In addition to any other obligations contained in this paragraph 4, within 24 hours following any such incident involving such property damage or personal injury, the Handler or Partner shall submit a detailed written report regarding the incident that should include copies or other written confirmation that all other reports required in this policy have been duly made and that any actions required under other state or local laws such as quarantine of the Service Animal and the like have been taken. For purposes of this Policy, all such summary reports must be filed with the Office of the Disability Compliance Officer, Suite 3, Peabody Hall, Email: ugaeoo@uga.edu.

5. UGA Housing.
For those Handlers and Partners residing in UGA housing, the policies and procedures provided in the UGA Department of University Housing’s Community Guide:http://housing.uga.edu/about/publications/guides (“Guide”)continue to apply and supplement this Policy. Any provisions in the Guide inconsistent with those of this Policy shall be controlled by this Policy.

6. UGA Service Animal Committee.
A committee consisting of the UGA Chief of Police, the Disability Compliance Officer and other appropriate UGA officials when circumstances permit, will be responsible for providing the final determination on the risk, potential hazard, potential for property damage, or potential for public nuisance of any Service Animal on UGA Facilities. Nothing in this Policy is intended to limit the freedom and responsibility of UGA Police Department in the assessment or handling of any emergency situation involving any animal, including Service Animals, on UGA Facilities.

7. Exceptions.
Exceptions to any provision of this Policy, including restrictions placed by UGA units on access to specific areas or other aspects of UGA Facilities for Service Animals will normally be considered on a case-by-case basis upon written request to the Disability Compliance Officer, submitted not less than five business days prior to the effective date of any such exception. The Disability Compliance Officer will consult with other appropriate members of the UGA community in an interactive process to determine whether or not the request will be granted or denied taking into account all of the relevant facts and circumstances and will so inform the requester in writing, including any specific additional conditions or restrictions in those cases where exceptions are granted.

Under certain exigent or other unusual circumstances, a responsible official of a UGA unit may allow a temporary exemption (for a duration and extent consistent with the nature of the exigency or other unusual circumstances) to any provision of this Policy regarding restrictions placed by UGA units on access for Service Animals to specific areas or other aspects of UGA Facilities contained in paragraph 2 of this Policy or specific requirements for Handlers or Partners contained in paragraph 4 of this Policy but any such action must thereafter be reported in writing in a timely manner to the Disability Compliance Officer explaining all the relevant circumstances.

8. Administrative and Other Matters.
In the case of students, Handlers and Partners must first contact the DRC to register their Service Animals. In the case of a Handler this would require appropriate documentation of the need for his or her Service Animal in connection with the particular disability and in the case of a Partner to document his or her credentials from the accredited school for which the Service Animal is being raised. In the case of all others, such registration should be made with FASR.
For all Service Animals that are allowed access to UGA Facilities, the DRC shall maintain appropriate records on Service Animals whose Handlers or Partners are students and the FASR shall maintain such records for Service Animals of all others. Appropriate UGA units, with the assistance of the Disability Compliance Officer, will develop and implement the necessary administrative and other requirements, actions and procedures for registering all Service Animals, identifying such registered Service Animals and their Handlers or Partners, informing all Handlers and Partners of the provisions of this Policy and undertake such other actions necessary for its effective implementation.
The provisions of this Policy are minimal requirements that may be supplemented by more specific requirements and procedures developed and implemented by individual UGA units due to the particular circumstances involved. Upon approval by the Disability Compliance Officer, these shall also be enforceable under this Policy.

9. Student Violations of this Policy.
In the case of student Handlers or Partners, failure to comply with this Policy may constitute one or more violations of the UGA Code of Conduct within the jurisdiction of the UGA Office of Student Conduct.

Downloadable Version of Full Policy(.pdf)

Downloadble Version of the Service Animal Policy FAQ

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