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The Equity Plan of Clarion University represents an amalgam of the equity guidelines as set forth by the State System's plan, Equity and Excellence, and the working recommendations articulated in the University's strategic plan, Focus on Diversity.

Guided and informed by both these documents, the Equity Plan is the articulation of the University's vision relative to the establishment of a pluralistic community by the 21st century. Fundamental to this vision is the plan's recognition of equity and diversity as hallmarks of academic excellence. As such, the plan challenges each and every member of the University's community to both celebrate diversity and cherish commonalities. In addition to the goals proposed therein, the plan allows for each academic or administrative unit to incorporate its own equity initiatives.

The plan, in its current draft form, consists of seven major subject areas: climate, students, personnel, compliance guidelines, economic opportunities, and assessment. In the areas of climate, students, personnel, and economic opportunities, the plan provides a quantitative and qualitative snapshot of the University's current profile as it relates to various equity groups on campus and also provides recommended strategies and/or initiatives for goal attainment in the respective areas. In the creation of community, each of these major components warrants critical attention.

As suggested by its title, the section of "Compliance Guidelines" articulates the policy of the University to ensure compliance with the relevant federal and state laws or regulations. These laws and regulations are inclusive of: protection accorded by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to individuals with physical and learning disabilities; protection accorded by the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Act to veterans and disabled veterans; and protection provided by Title VII, Title IX, the Governor's Executive Order #1996-9, or case law against incidents of harassment on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin and, sexual orientation.

This section culminates with the articulation of the University's compliance and grievance policies and procedures that are designed to address student or employee complaints of harassment or discrimination on any of the aforementioned bases.

In keeping with the State System's objectives for continuous improvement, the area on "Assessment" addresses the means by which the overall effectiveness and quality of the plan may be measured and sustained. This section provides the University with the opportunity to evaluate its climate.

The area of "Responsibility for Implementation" addresses the lines of responsibility and accountability for the plan's implementation. While the plan acknowledges that the ultimate responsibility for its implementation rests with the President of the University, the plan also recognizes that each member of the University's community, especially supervisory staff, must share that responsibility and accountability in order to ensure the plan's success. Following the plan's review by the appropriate governing bodies of the university, the plan will be implemented university-wide. Copies of the Equity Plan are available in the Office of Social Equity.