SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO COLLEGE BOARD POLICY
Section A – General Provisions - Policy Number 300 – Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity

I. Non-Discrimination- The College dedicates itself to providing equal opportunities in its
employment and learning environments.
a. In compliance with the law, the College does not discriminate based on age, ancestry,
color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion,
serious medical condition, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, spousal
affiliation, or protected veteran status in its programs and activities. This non-
discrimination policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment and prohibits all
forms of workplace harassment based on an employee's protected class or
characteristic.

b. The College shall also not deny any student or applicant admission to the College and
access to a higher education because the student is a member of a protected class. In
further recognition of the diverse population the College serves, the College, its Board,
President, and faculty and staff shall promote inclusive recruiting, hiring, and retention
practices for applicants and employees.

II. Designation of Compliance Officers and Coordinators - The President, administration, and all faculty and employees are responsible for compliance with the College’s non-discrimination Policy and its adherence to all applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination including Title IX. The President shall designate a Title IX Coordinator and shall conspicuously publish the Title IX Coordinator’s name, office location and address, phone number, and email address to students, faculty, executives, and staff. Complaints of discrimination, harassment, sexual violence, retaliation, failure to accommodate, or any other type of discriminatory act or omission may be directed to the College’s Title IX Coordinator and the Human Resource Office. The College’s Title IX Coordinator and Human Resource will also handle a disabled person’s request for reasonable accommodation

III. Complaints Alleging Violations of this Policy - The President is charged with developing student
and employee complaint procedures consistent with this Policy Manual. In addition, any
student, applicant, or employee (including faculty and executives) who is concerned about a
possible violation of this Policy may contact the College’s Title IX Coordinator and the
Human Resource Office. He or she may also submit complaints to with the United States
Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission, and/or New Mexico Human Rights Bureau. The College takes these complaints very seriously and will promptly take action to investigate and address any complaint.

IV. Annual Training Required – The President shall require that all executives, human resource leaders, Chairs, and all other supervisors at the College, receive annual Title IX training. In addition to legal updates and general Title IX guidelines, the annual training shall cover a) sexual harassment; b) the scope and review of the College’s education programs where the Title IX policy applies; c) how to conduct a Title IX investigation; d) the grievance
process including hearings, appeals, and informal resolution; e) and how to serve impartially to avoid bias and conflicts of interest. The President may also direct other personnel to attend the same or similar trainings.