SDSU Extension has developed a Civil Rights Plan to ensure our services are provided in compliance with federal civil rights law. The plan provides a systematic process for assessing compliance with federal regulations regarding policies, procedures, programs, and practices.
Federal Civil Rights Laws
As a land-grant university, South Dakota State University receives federal financial assistance and must comply with laws prohibiting discriminatory behaviors. SDSU Extension does not discriminate in employment or in its provided educational programming on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin or age in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Civil Rights Act of 1991.
SDSU Extension maintains an environment that prohibits anyone, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation or being subjected to discrimination as stated in Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The programs provided will serve all citizens of South Dakota equally in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Additionally, SDSU Extension will provide reasonable accommodations to employees and program participants with disabilities.
Nondiscrimination Statement
The nondiscrimination statement shall be posted in all SDSU Extension offices and included on materials produced by SDSU Extension for public information, public education, or public distribution. Staff and registered volunteers should consult internal policies and training resources for usage guidance.
SDSU Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer in accordance with the nondiscrimination policies of South Dakota State University, the South Dakota Board of Regents and the United States Department of Agriculture. Learn more at extension.sdstate.edu.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
AD-475-A: “AND JUSTICE FOR ALL” POSTER LANGUAGE FOR ASSISTED PROGRAMS (green poster)
Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 (Title IX) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex – including pregnancy or parental status - in educational programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance. The law also prohibits individuals from exclusion from such programs or activities, or from denial of benefits from such programs or activities based on sex. This prohibition applies to a wide array of public and private schools at the K-12 grade levels, as well as colleges and universities which receive federal funding. A school that is controlled by a religious organization is exempt from Title IX when the law’s requirements would conflict with the organization’s religious tenets. The law requires federally funded education institutions or programs to disseminate Title IX information widely, including the name, address, and telephone number (or other contact information) of the designated Title IX Coordinator.
Program information is available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Federal Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY).
Prior to filing a Title IX complaint with USDA against an institution, a potential complainant may want to find out about the institution’s grievance process and use that process to have the complaint resolved. However, a complainant is not required by law to use the institutional grievance process before filing a complaint with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (OASCR). If a complainant uses an institutional grievance process and chooses to file the complaint with OASCR, the complaint must be filed with OASCR within 60 days after completion of the institutional grievance process.
To file a USDA program discrimination complaint, a complainant should complete Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which can be obtained online at AD-3027 (PDF, 351 KB); from any USDA office; by calling (866) 632-9992; or by writing a letter addressed to the USDA office listed below.
The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform OASCR about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA via:
Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
AD-475-D: “AND JUSTICE FOR ALL” POSTER LANGUAGE FOR TITLE IX PROGRAMS (orange poster)
South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service. SDSU is an equal opportunity employer who prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.
Accessibility and Accommodations
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, SDSU Extension is committed to providing equal access to educational opportunities for persons with disabilities. SDSU Extension realizes that individuals with disabilities may need accommodations to participate in educational programs, activities, and services. This includes educational materials and supplies as well as the physical facilities. To request an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a modification of policies or procedures contact South Dakota State University’s ADA Coordinator. All inquiries, allegations, comments, concerns, or complaints relating to discrimination or violations of the ADA must be reported to South Dakota State University’s Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Coordinator.
SDSU Extension staff will strive to:
- Document all requests for accommodations.
- Use a reasonable accommodation statement on promotional documents and/or the website announcing activities or events.
- Be trained on reasonable accommodations.
- Consider barriers for individuals with disabilities.
Public Notification
Affirmative action procedures encourage participation from underrepresented groups. These actions are a normal part of day-to-day program planning and delivery.
SDSU Extension staff will strive to:
- Utilize the nondiscrimination statement on the website and/or publications.
- Utilize the USDA “And Justice for All” poster to notify the public of their rights and complaint procedures.
- Seek assistance from underrepresented groups in helping to increase their involvement.
- Select meeting places and times which encourage, rather than inhibit, participation from underrepresented groups.
- Announce meetings, activities, events, etc. in a manner that reaches all segments of the population.
SDSU Extension Volunteers
SDSU Extension volunteers choose to serve their families and communities; to pursue their passions and connect with like-minded people. Our volunteers bridge the gap between research and community knowledge throughout South Dakota. All volunteers are required to read the policy guidebook and submit the necessary forms before volunteer projects being.
SDSU Extension Documents
SDSU Extension staff can visit the SDSU Extension Policy and Procedures folder to access Civil Rights reporting documents. To view documents, log into Box using your SDSU account.