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Sexism and Racism Reported at St. Cloud State University
In a report issued in February, a regional office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) found that faculty and staff at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota believe that systemic sexism, racism, and anti-Semitism exist at St. Cloud, and that the university is a difficult place for anyone who has a perspective outside of "mainstream white, Christian thinking." The EEOC concluded that the university "suffers from a severe lack of credibility with regard to diversity issues."
The report was based on an investigation the EEOC conducted at the joint request of the institution’s president and the former chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, of which St. Cloud is a part. They requested the investigation after several individuals filed lawsuits against the university.
According to the EEOC’s report, faculty and staff are reluctant to take employment-discrimination complaints to the university’s affirmative action officer because that officer reports directly to the president, discourages discrimination complaints, and does not appear knowledgeable about employment-discrimination laws. In addition, the EEOC wrote, the process for appealing unfavorable decisions by the affirmative action office is compromised, and faculty members believe that university administrators retaliate against anyone who speaks out about equal employment opportunity, the union contract, or other issues.
The university has recently taken steps to ameliorate the situation, including instituting mandatory diversity training for students, administrators, and new staff; hiring a new affirmative action investigator; and attempting to meet Jewish dietary and religious observance needs. The report further recommends that the university substantially overhaul the affirmative action office, ensure that university policies and procedures are enforced consistently, and form task forces and committees to discuss specific aspects of the problem with an eye to their resolution.
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