Affirmative Action & EEO Law

Portland State University's stand on affirmative action and equal employment opportunity is supported by federal, state and local laws and regulations which provides the legal basis for affirmative action and equal employment opportunity. These include the following:

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended. This act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in all programs and activities receiving federal funds.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended. This act prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. Conditions of employment covered by the act include hiring, promotion, salary, fringe benefits, training and treatment of pregnancy.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended. This act prohibits discrimination based on sex in all educational programs and activities receiving federal funds.

Executive Order 11246, as amended. This presidential executive order prohibits federal contractors and subcontractors from discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. Conditions of employment covered by the executive order include hiring, promotion, salary, fringe benefits, training, and other conditions of employment

Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended. This act prohibits discrimination in salaries and most fringe benefits based on sex.

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967. This act prohibits discrimination against applicants and employees who are 40 or more years of age. ( State of Oregon law prohibits discrimination based on age against anyone 18 years or older.)

Age Discrimination Act of 1975. This act prohibits discrimination based on age in programs and activities receiving federal funds.

Vietnam-Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act. This act is based on being either a disabled veteran or a veteran of the Vietnam era.

Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. This act establishes affirmative action obligations of federal contractors and subcontractors with respect to employees and for the advancement in employment of individuals with disabilities.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. This act prohibits discrimination against any qualified applicants, students, or employees based on disability in all programs and activities receiving federal funds.

The Retirement Equity Act of 1984. This act is designed to provide greater pension equity for women and for all workers, their spouses, and dependents by taking into account changes in work patterns and in the status of marriage as an economic partnership.

Americans With Disabilities Act of 1991. This act prohibits discrimination against a qualified individual with a disability regarding job application procedures; the hiring, advancement, or discharge of employees; employee compensation; job training; and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment.

Civil Rights Act of 1991. This act reverses parts of seven U.S. Supreme Court decisions handed down between 1988 - 1990 that were adverse to the interests of alleged victims of employment discrimination and provides for increased damages and jury trials in cases of intentional sex, religious and disability bias.

The Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 577, Division 32-Portland State University. These rules prohibit discrimination based upon sex, race, age, national origin, marital status, religion, disability or sexual orientation in any activity or service at Portland State University. They also provide procedures for resolution of informal or formal grievances, and complaints.

Chapter 580, Division 21--Board of Higher Education. This rule mandates the president of each institution in the Oregon State System of Higher Education to establish affirmative action goals to increase the proportion of ethnic minorities and women in all areas of the college. It also defines ethnic minorities and provides for periodic review by the president of the affirmative action goals and time tables.