Message from President Earl Potter

Preventing Harassment and Discrimination at St Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University is committed to providing quality education within an environment that is respectful of its students, staff, and faculty. As a center of learning, we work to enhance civility in the free exchange of ideas and respect for each individual. To this end, we have established policies and procedures, as required by Federal and State law and MnSCU policy to prevent discrimination and discriminatory harassment, and to provide recourse for those who believe they have been harmed by such conduct.

To be effective, we must have a shared understanding of what this commitment means. We must all of us - students and employees - know what constitutes employment discrimination and sexual harassment. The U.S. courts, in 40 years of judicial opinion in employment discrimination cases, have articulatedstandards and criteria in distinguishing between discriminatory and nondiscriminatory behaviors in the workplace.These guide management policy and procedures to prevent discriminatory conduct.

The Offices of Affirmative Action and Human Resources have arranged for all our employees to access a computerized, online training program, "Preventing Discrimination in the Workplace.” This includes “Preventing Employment Discrimination” and “Preventing Sexual Harassment." The program explains state and federal laws and System and University policies defining discrimination and harassment, and provides guidance for reporting potential.

This program will allow each of us to understand our personal and collective responsibility for helping create a more civil workplace and a harassment- free learning and work environment. Such understanding will enhance the quality of our campus life and help create an atmosphere that values the dignity of each individual. An environment of mutual respect is one of the benchmarks of a quality institution. I am asking all administrators and supervisors to take this training, and I strongly encourage all faculty, non-supervisory employees and students, to do so as well.For further information, contact Dr. Susan Moss, Director, Office of Affirmative Action, slmoss@stcloudstate.edu.

President Earl H. Potter III