The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a landmark civil rights and labor law in the United States that outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, and later sexual orientation and gender identity. The law states:
"No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance."
Oakton’s Title VI Nondiscrimination Policy
Oakton College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, socioeconomic status, sex or gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation n admission to and participation in its educational programs, college activities and services, or in its employment practices.
Further, the College is committed to providing a diverse, healthy, and positive work and academic environment that is equitable and inclusive for all students or employees. The College seeks to eliminate any inequity, including racial inequity, implicit bias, barriers to success, and opportunity gaps that exist based upon race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, socioeconomic status, sex or gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation so that all students and employees have an equal opportunity to succeed within the College’s education programs, activities and services.
What programs are covered by Title VI?
Approximately 30 federal agencies provide federal financial assistance in the form of funds, training, and technical and other assistance to state and local governments, and non-profit and private organizations. These recipients of federal assistance, in turn, operate programs and deliver benefits and services to individuals (known as "beneficiaries") to achieve the goals of the federal legislation that authorizes the programs.
Federally assisted programs include:
What discrimination is prohibited by Title VI?
There are many forms of illegal discrimination based on race, color or national origin that can limit the opportunity of minorities to gain equal access to services and programs. Among other things, in operating a federally assisted program, a recipient cannot, on the basis of race, color, or national origin, either directly or through contractual means:
What should you do if you have a Title VI complaint?
Each agency that receives or provides federal financial assistance is responsible for investigating complaints of discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in the use of its funds. If you believe that you or others protected by Title VI have been discriminated against, you should file a complaint with the Office of Access, Equity and Diversity
To file a discrimination or harassment complaint, employees and students may use our Discrimination and Harassment Complaint form.
Oakton has a complaint procedure that allows for redress if you or someone you know believes they have been discriminated against. The complaint procedures are as follows:
This procedure is established for the purpose of resolving, in a consistent and equitable way, any complaints by students, employees or third parties with respect to compliance with the College's nondiscrimination policy, or with state or federal regulations regarding nondiscrimination. It is available to anyone who feels discriminated against in any educational program, activity or service, including students, employees or members of the College community.
To file a discrimination complaint, employees and students may use this form which can also be found at MyOakton, Employee, Student Affairs.
Rick Daniels, Ed.D
Director of Institutional Equity and Inclusion
sdaniels@oakton.edu
847.635.1815