Discrimination based on the following categories in employment, education, training, participation in activities, or receiving services is prohibited.

Age: State law prohibits discrimination against any person, who is 18 years of age or older, for being "too young" or "too old." An organization may not discriminate in hiring, compensation and other terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, education, training or providing services. (Instructors may not discriminate in classes for reasons of age.)

Federal Law: The Age Discrimination in Employment Act covers all employment relationships, but only for those persons 40 years of age and older.

Color: Refers to a person's skin tone and involves all shades including absence of pigmentation.

Disability: A "disabled person" is a person who has a physical or mental condition that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such a condition, or is regarded as having such a condition. A "condition" is any apparent or medically detectable condition which weakens, diminishes, restricts, or otherwise damages an individual's health or physical or mental activity, leaving him/her unable to perform any major life activities, including: self care, ambulation, communication, eating, breathing, transportation, education, socialization, and employment.

Marital Status: The state of being married, single, widowed, divorced, separated, or in any transitional stage.

National Origin: 1. The individual or the individual's forebears came from a particular country; 2. The individual possesses a particular ancestry, heritage, or background; or 3. The individual's name or the name of the individual's spouse reflects a certain national origin.

Race:

• Black, Non-Hispanic--A person having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa.American Indian or Alaskan Native--A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North America, and who maintains identification through tribal affiliation or community recognition.
• Asian or Pacific Islander--A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, or the Pacific Islands. This includes China, Japan, Korea, the Philippine Islands and Samoa.
• Hispanic--A person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.
• White, Non-Hispanic--A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, North Africa or the Middle East.

Religion: It is unlawful for an organization to discriminate against any individual in hiring, termination, or any terms and conditions of employment, education and training or providing services on the basis of religion, unless such discrimination results from a bona fide occupational requirement reasonably necessary to the normal operation of the organization. Religious beliefs include personal beliefs outside of organized religion, if the belief is sincere and serves a religious purpose within the individual's life. (PSU recognizes a student's right to participate in holy days of their chosen religion, which may interfere with class attendance and assignments. Arrangements should be made ahead of time with instructors.)

Sex: GENDER discrimination is prohibited in hiring, compensation, terms or conditions of employment, on-the-job treatment and termination, grades, assignments, or participation in any PSU sponsored curricular or extracurricular activity. SEXUAL HARASSMENT: 1. Quid pro quo harassment occurs when an employer, supervisor or faculty demands non-consensual sexual favors or attention in exchange for benefits, advancement, hire, continued employment, grades, assignments or participating in any activity. Under both state and federal law, organizations are liable for quid pro quo harassment by their supervisors or agents (including instructors). 2. Hostile environment harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, within a specific context, which has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's performance or which creates an intimidating, offensive or hostile environment. Such conduct, verbal and/or physical, may be embarrassing, suggestive, or degrading to an individual.

Sexual Orientation: An individual's preference for a particular sex (be it the opposite or the same), or an individual¹s view of his/her own sexuality.

Veteran Status: The Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974 requires affirmative action in employment for Vietnam veterans and disabled veterans. Discrimination against veterans is prohibited.

Definitions of other complaint factors:

General Harassment: Unprofessional or inappropriate conduct which has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's performance or which creates an intimidating, offensive or hostile environment. Such conduct, verbal and/or physical, may be degrading to an individual. Also includes "bullying."

Interpersonal Violence: Unwelcome, violent behavior between individuals, including domestic violence and sexual assault.

Portland State University . Office of Affirmative Action . 122 Cramer Hall . 503-725-4417 . TTY 503-725-6503 . rev:08-30-2004