Section 4: Civil Rights Training for Research and Extension

Goal:   All Purdue Agriculture administrators, faculty and staff will be knowledgeable of laws, policies, and procedures designed to ensure equal access and opportunity.

Purdue Agriculture is committed to ensuring that all employees fully understand the laws and policies regarding civil rights, affirmative action, and equal access/equal opportunity

Objective: Develop and enhance in-service education.

Professional development opportunities to enhance awareness, understanding and appreciation of diversity and the principles of civil rights compliance are a priority and expectation for participation by Purdue Agriculture faculty and staff if they are to be able to effectively reach out to underserved audiences.  

All Purdue Agriculture employees are expected to be familiar with and have a full understanding of the federal laws relating to civil rights. In addition, employees are expected to have a working knowledge of their roles and responsibilities to ensure that they fulfill both the letter and the spirit of the law as they identify needs, develop, implement and evaluate programs for adults and youth; and, as they recruit and work with a diverse audience of volunteers

  • Provide and enhance awareness of training opportunities provided by Purdue University, Agriculture EEO Coordinator, Purdue Agriculture administrators.
  • Encourage all faculty to attend new faculty training by the University which includes training on civil rights.
  • Pursue a variety of staff development programs in which all employees are expected to participate.
    • All new employees will be provided educational resources to learn how to meet these expectations.
  • Renew efforts to ensure that all unit administrators (Department Heads, Center Directors, District Directors, County Extension Directors and program and ag research center supervisors) have an appreciation and understanding of diversity, affirmative action, equal employment opportunities, civil rights laws, policies and compliance requirements. 
    • Develop methods to enhance knowledge of the demographics of their constituencies so that they can actively lead their staff and boards in identifying potential audiences to strive for parity in their efforts to reach underserved and underrepresented audiences. 
  • Make sure that all Faculty, on-campus staff, field staff and graduate students are offered professional development training on harassment, discrimination, and procedures for complaints and grievances and understand their rights and responsibilities  
  • A Civil Rights website, located on the Purdue Agriculture website, provides resources for employees and program participants, including Purdue policies on:

 

Examples of Purdue Training Programs with Civil Rights components:

  • New Educator Day on Campus (as needed)
  • New Educator Orientation (3 days, twice each year), includes ADA Compliance Training
  • New Educator Fostering Respect Training taught by EEO Counselors
  • County Extension Director Update (annual)
  • Level One County Extension Director training includes a focused session on EEO, AA, and Civil Rights.
  • Academic Council Retreats: session on “Leadership, Climate and Change Management” conducted by Alvin Lee, Training Specialist, Human Resources Services
  • Purdue University Search Committee Training
  • Purdue University ADVANCE training
  • Equal Access/Equal Opportunity Training
  • Regular participation in the Tri-State Diversity Conference jointly sponsored by Purdue, Ohio State and Kentucky.