NDSU is fully committed to the concept and practice of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action. NDSU, as an institution of higher education, is subject to the nondiscrimination and affirmative provisions of Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, among other laws. Affirmative Action is having, and abiding by, an equal opportunity policy. This means ensuring equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees by making employment decisions without regard to race, gender, national origin, religion, disability status, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other legally protected classes. There are three Affirmative Action Programs.  They and the federal laws that they implement are as follows:

Affirmative Action Program for Minorities & Women - Executive Order 11246 of 1965 (as amended) - requires affirmative action programs for women and minorities and prohibits job discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.  

Affirmative Action Program for Individuals with Disabilities - Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - requires affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities and prohibits discrimination based on disability in federally assisted programs.

Affirmative Action Program for Protected Veterans - Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 - requires affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified special disabled veterans and veterans of the Vietnam era and prohibits discrimination based on Vietnam era veteran status or special disabled veteran status in federally assisted programs.

Components of the Affirmative Action Programs include:

• Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy
• Responsibility for Implementation
• Job Group, Utilization, and Data Collection Analyses
• Internal and External Dissemination of Policy
• Identification of Problem Areas
• Action-Oriented Programs

NDSU's Affirmative Action Programs are available for viewing at the Equal Opportunity and Title IX Compliance Office, 201 Old Main on the Fargo campus during regular business hours upon request.  Other arrangements can be made if necessary.  For more information about the Affirmative Action Programs or to schedule a viewing of the Programs, please contact the Equal Opportunity and Title IX Compliance Office at (701) 231-7708 orndsu.eoaa@ndsu.edu.