The civil rights laws protect individuals from being treated differently based on their belonging to a protected category.   Categories protected by law include, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, mental or physical disability, age (over 40), genetic information, reprisal or retaliation, marital status, parenthood, pregnancy and veteran status.   Additionally, UAF employees are covered by policy against discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Any individual who believes he or she has been discriminated against in an employment or educational opportunity may file a complaint of discrimination and the D&EO office will process your complaint ensuring you receive due process.

If you believe you were treated differently based on one or more of the above protected categories, you may file an internal informal or formal complaint with the D&EO office.   D&EO can be contacted at the below address:

Nordic House

739 Columbia Circle

PO Box 756910

Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-6910

Telephone: 907-474-6600 or 907-474-7599

Email: mbgerdeman@alaska.edu

For informal complaints, D&EO will conduct a limited inquiry and attempt to resolve the issues.   Additionally, D&EO can arrange mediation services.   If the issues are not resolved, the complainant has a right to file a formal complaint.

When an individual files a formal complaint, one or two investigators will be assigned to gather facts, attempt resolution and write a report of investigation with conclusions.   A complainant or respondent who disputes the written findings of the investigative report may request a formal review of the findings within 5 working days of the release of the findings.

Complaint Form (PDF)

Additionally, individuals who believe they have suffered discrimination may file a complaint with organizations external to UAF.   For employment discrimination issues you may contact the Alaska State Human Rights Commission or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at the below addresses within 180 calendar days of the alleged discriminatory act.   For discrimination in regard to an educational opportunity, students may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education within 180 calendar days of the alleged discriminatory act.

Alaska State Human Rights Commission

800 A Street, Suite 204

Anchorage, AK 99501-3669

Anchorage Area: 907-274-4692

Anchorage Area TTY/TDD: 907-276-3177

Toll-Free Complaint Hot Line (in-state only): 800-478-3177

TTY/TDD Toll-Free Complaint Hot Line (in-state only): 800-478-3177

www.humanrights.alaska.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

350 The Embarcadero

Suite 500

San Francisco, CA 94105-1260

Telephone: 800-669-4000

http://www.eeoc.gov/employees/charge.cfm

Office for Civil Rights, Seattle Office

U.S. Department of Education

915 Second Ave., Room 3310

Seattle, WA 98174-1099

Telephone: 206-607-1600

TDD: 206-607-1647

Fax: 206-607-1601

E-mail: OCR.Seattle@ed.gov

http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html