Equity
Equity means fairness. Within the context of the university community, an equity issue can be the impermissible harassment or discrimination of a student, faculty or staff member. State and/or federal laws protect all citizens from discrimination based on religion, creed, race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, political affiliation, or veteran status. Appalachian State University policy extends protection to include sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. Salary inequities may also involve discrimination.
Equity issues brought to the Office of EDC are investigated and resolved among all parties by a variety of means, from conversation to mediation to the filing of a formal grievance. Confidentiality is of paramount importance in all interactions.
Since providing education is fundamental to upholding policy, the training of all employees to understand both rights and responsibilities in recognizing and preventing unlawful harassment and other forms of impermissible discrimination is a corollary purpose of the equity component.
