Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity
Governors State University recognizes and is fully committed to both its moral and legal obligations to provide equal opportunity to its employees as well as its students. Recognizing these obligations, the university will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, citizenship, order of protection status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or veterans status in any area of university employment or in services to its students. Furthermore, the university is pledged to affirmatively recruit to ameliorate patterns of employment which indicate under-utilization of members of minority groups and women, whether in the faculty, the civil service, or among the students.
Accommodating Religious Observances
Governors State University will not discriminate against students for observing religious holidays and will reasonably accommodate the religious observance of individual students in regard to admission, class attendance, and the scheduling of examinations and academic work requirements (Policy 38).
It is the responsibility of the student to notify in writing the GSU administrator/faculty member involved at least three class periods in advance of the date of the religious observance to be accommodated.
Accommodations considered unreasonable are those which would necessitate the modification of academic standards or create undue hardship on the university or its staff.
If a student feels he/she has been discriminated against, redress can be sought through the Student Grievance Procedure.
This policy must be published in the Student Handbook and the University Catalog.
Unlawful Harassment
Governors State University will not tolerate unlawful harassment of students or employees. If a student believes he/she has been harassed, that student should bring his/her allegations to the attention of the university. Such allegations will be investigated and if appropriate, the university will take action to eliminate the harassment. The university environment must be free of unlawful harassment in work and study. Students who believe they have been victims of unlawful harassment should contact the Department of Human Resources.
Services for Students with Disabilities
Governors State University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992 and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and other federal and state legislation which states that, “No otherwise qualified person with a disability in the United States… shall, solely on the basis of disability, be denied access to, or the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity provided by any institution receiving federal financial assistance.” Inquiries about assistance to meet special needs should be directed to the Academic Resource Center, which will notify the appropriate academic and service areas. Provision of such assistance will be based upon the individual student’s need to have equal access to the learning environment. Requests for auxiliary aids, academic adjustments, or other special services which necessitate a modification of academic standards or create an undue hardship on the university, may be denied.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse
All students are prohibited from the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol, or the abuse of alcohol and drugs on university property or in connection with any university activity. Sanctions consistent with local, state, and federal law may be imposed for the violation of the standards of conduct cited above. A complete description of the applicable legal sanctions under state and federal law for unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol is included in the Student Conduct Policy.
Smoking
In compliance with the Illinois Clean Indoor Air Act, as of July 1, 1993, smoking is prohibited in the university.
In compliance with the Illinois Smoke Free Campus Act, Governors State University is a smoke-free campus as of July 1, 2015. Guidelines for smoking in private property while on campus, e.g. inside privately owned vehicles, are posted on the University website.
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