Student Handbook - Diversity and Inclusion

Michigan State University prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, gender, gender identity, genetic information, disability, height, marital status, political persuasion, sexual orientation, veteran status or weight in its programs and activities. MSU also prohibits retaliation against those who report discrimination or harassment or who participate in the university's investigation and handling of such reports.

Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator.

• You can read the entire Notice here.
• More information at the MSU Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance website.

The Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion (IDI) serves as an institutional focal point for promoting inclusion and diversity at MSU, providing leadership and support for university-wide initiatives. A staff of experts work diligently to facilitate and support a campus environment that provides students, faculty and staff with opportunities for excellence.

MSU is committed to an inclusive atmosphere where students, faculty, staff and guests may participate in university life without concerns of discrimination. Diversity is one of MSU’s principal strengths, and the university takes its responsibility under federal civil rights laws to prohibit discrimination very seriously.

The Anti-Discrimination Policy (ADP) outlines the types of prohibited discrimination and harassment at MSU. Under the ADP, university community members are prohibited from engaging in acts which discriminate against or harass any University community member on the basis of age, color, gender, gender identity, disability status, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or weight.

• Anti-Discrimination Policy (ADP)
• ADP User's Manual

The Policy on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct (RVSM Policy) is a subset of the ADP, which prohibits university community members from engaging in relationship violence, stalking and sexual misconduct. The RVSM Policy also describes the process for reporting violations, outlines the process used to investigate and adjudicate alleged violations and identifies resources available to members of the university community who experience relationship violence, stalking or sexual misconduct.

Here is the Policy on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct (RVSM), including appendices on the investigation process, resources, sanction and appeal procedures and other important information.

Here is MSU's Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance website, including information on local and national resources available to reporters, claimants and respondents; reference guides; news; campus initiatives; and the university's Title IX program mid-year and annual reports.

MSUCOM students will be required to complete online training modules covering the RVSM Policy. Access to the training will be provided to students via email from the university. Training is facilitated by the Prevention, Outreach and Education (POE) department (poe.msu.edu). POE promotes safety and improves quality of life by educating members of the MSU campus community on sexual assault and relationship violence, eliminating violence on campus and empowering staff, faculty and students to become advocates for a non-violent community and positively affecting social change.

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and Title IX Education and Compliance is responsible for leadership of MSU’s civil rights compliance and efforts to cultivate a campus community that is free of discrimination and harassment. This includes oversight for the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) and POE. The Office for Civil Rights also coordinates with MSU entities that provide crisis and advocacy services to survivors of sexual assault and relationship violence. OCR is also home to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator.

The Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) addresses complaints related to discrimination and harassment based on age, color, gender, gender identity, disability status, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or weight under the Anti-Discrimination Policy and the Policy on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct. Reports to OIE can be made via the online form, over the phone or in-person.

The Disability and Reasonable Accommodation Policy prohibits discrimination and harassment against a qualified individual with a disability. The policy describes the process for seeking reasonable accommodation to ensure equal employment opportunities and equal access to university programs, services and facilities.

• Disability and Reasonable Accommodation Policy
• Accommodation Appeal Form

Pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendments Act, the Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act (MPDCRA) and other applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, MSU prohibits discrimination and harassment against a qualified individual with a disability. MSU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to ensure equal employment opportunities and access to university programs, services and facilities.

The MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) assists faculty members, staff, employees, job applicants, students and others by maximizing ability and opportunity for full participation at MSU.

RCPD defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such impairment or being regarded as having such an impairment. RCPD defines a “qualified individual with a disability” as an individual who, with or without reasonable accommodations, can perform the essential functions of the academic program or job.

Students may contact RCPD to identify and register a disability and request accommodation. Following a needs assessment, RCPD may issue a Verified Individualized Services and Accommodations (VISA), which is an individualized document that enables students to validate and communicate their accommodation needs to faculty. A variation is the Verified Individualized Services and Temporary Adjustments (VISTA) document, which performs the same functions as a VISA for students with conditions of a temporary nature.

RCPD also assists employees with accommodation. More details are available on the RCPD website.

MSU is committed to facilitating access to university instruction, communication, research and business processes, while enhancing community building for the broadest possible audience. The university strives to employ principles of Universal Design and uses the Web Accessibility Technical Guidelines (WA Technical Guidelines) and standards in the design, implementation, enhancement and replacement of web content and services. In doing so, MSU aims to improve access to both current and emerging technologies. The Digital Content and Accessibility team leads web accessibility initiatives and implementation at MSU. The MSU IT Digital Content and Accessibility team provides resources and tutorials for accessible web, course and content development, as well as reviews and evaluations of technology products and software for the MSU community. More information regarding MSU’s Web Accessibility Policy and training programs can be found here.