Office for Equal Opportunity
North Carolina
State University

Location & Hours
1 Holladay Hall
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Monday - Friday

Mailing Address
Campus Box 7530
Raleigh, NC
27695-7530

Phone Numbers
Main: 919-515-3148
Fax: 919-513-1428
TTY: 919-515-9617

Equal_Op - November, 2007 - Volume 8, #2

What You Should Know About Veterans Day: Nov 11, 2007

Veterans Day originated as "Armistice Day" on November 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and November 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation to change the name to Veterans Day as a way to honor those who served in all American wars. The day has also evolved into honoring living military veterans with parades and speeches across the nation. A national ceremony takes place at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, where at 11 a.m. on November 11, a combined color guard representing all military services executes "Present Arms" at the tomb. This tribute to our nation's war dead concludes with the laying of a presidential wreath and the playing of "Taps."

The Protected Class of Veteran's Status

Veteran's status is one of the ten protected classes at NC State. Sometimes referred to as a "vet," a veteran is someone who has served in the Armed Forces of the United States. Veteran's status is sometimes based on the length and location of military service. For example, there are "Vietnam era veterans" or people who served on active duty for a period of more than 180 days, any part of which occurred between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975, and who were discharged or released with other than a dishonorable discharge.

There are both federal and state laws outlining the protections offered to men and women who are veterans.

The Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, amended by 38 U.S.C. 4212, requires that employers with federal contracts or subcontracts of $25,000 or more to provide equal opportunity and affirmative action for Vietnam era veterans, special disabled veterans, and veterans who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized.

Military reservist and National Guard members called to active duty have rights and responsibilities under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).

In addition, North Carolina law requires that employment preference be given for having served in the Armed Forces of the United States on active duty, for reasons other than training, during periods of war or any other campaign, expedition, or engagement for which a campaign badge or medal is authorized by the United States Department of Defense. The preference accorded eligible, qualified veterans applies in the initial selection and reduction-in-force situations only. As a federal contractor, NC State is required to engage in affirmative action in employment for veterans. This means that the University must take affirmative steps to employ qualified Vietnam era, special disabled, recently separated, and other protected veterans.

NC State has many employees and students who have benefited from educational benefits provided to veterans through the various "GI Bills." While educational benefits for veterans date back to the beginning of the 20th century, the most famous GI Bill, the Serviceman's Readjustment Act of 1944, was designed to provide greater opportunities to returning World War II veterans. The GI Bill provided federal aid to help veterans adjust to civilian life in the areas of hospitalization, purchase of new homes and businesses, and education.

By the Numbers

• 24.5 million: The total number of military veterans in the United States in 2004.
• 1.7 million: In 2004, there were 1.7 million female veterans; 16% of Persian Gulf War veterans in 2004 were women.
• 9.7 million: The number of veterans 65 or over.
• 2.4 million: The number of black veterans. Additionally, 1.1 million veterans are Hispanic; 276,000 are Asian; 59,000 are American Indian or Alaskan native; and 30,000 are native Hawaiian and other Pacific islanders.
• 8.2 million: Number of Vietnam-era veterans. Vietnam-era veterans account for more than 3-in-10 veterans, the largest share of any period of service. The next largest share, 4.4 million, or nearly 2-in-10, served during World War II.

Update: Discrimination and Harassment Prevention and Response Training

NC State's effort to conduct Discrimination and Harassment Prevention and Response (DHPR) training for all employees is well underway. Of the nearly 8,000 employees at NC State, over 5,000 have participated in an approved training program through the Office for Equal Opportunity (OEO). Approximately 20% of employees have taken advantage of OEO's online training module to fulfill the requirement; the remainder have participated in a live training session.

Training is reaching all levels of employees at NC State. On October 8, 2007, the University Council invited OEO to one of its meetings to conduct a training session. The University Council is made up of executive officers, college deans, and other administrators who advise the chancellor. In addition, OEO has trained employees within each college at the University and has traveled across the state to ensure that employees in our extension offices have access to training.

OEO understands that all employees at the University are busy, and although some are reluctant to spend their time in a training session on such a serious topic, the response to training has been overwhelmingly positive. OEO is finding that even when employees are hesitant to participate, they rate the training as useful; one participant wrote on an evaluation "Better than I thought it would be." Additional evaluation comments include:

• "Great use of examples and anecdotes – made it interesting."
• "Efficient presentation – well worth the hour as a reminder for what is expected/available."
• "Excellent presentation on what could have been a 'punitive' topic."
• "Very helpful – personalized to our department – good speakers!"
• "Great job making it interactive – even fun!"
• "Best training session I've been to on this topic."

Please assist NC State in reaching its goal of training 100% of employees by the end of 2007! If you have not yet participated in an approved training session, please check out OEO's website. Thank you for your help!

Staff Spotlight

DSO Welcomes Wyona Goodwin

The Disability Services Office welcomed Wyona Goodwin as its second executive assistant in August after the retirement of Cindy Hall. Wyona is a native of Bronx, New York and has worked at the University since March 2000. She holds an A.A.S. degree in Office Administration from Wake Technical Community College and plans to complete her B.S. degree in Management in the near future. Wyona brings 19 years of administrative experience to the position having worked in various areas including the private sector and local and state government.

OEO Bids Farewell to Kisha Simmons

Kisha Simmons left OEO in July 2007 to assume a position in medical review at Blue Cross-Blue Shield in Durham, NC. Ms. Simmons began her employment in OEO in 1993 as a work-study student. After completing degrees from NC State in Microbiology and Zoology, Simmons became OEO's administrative assistant in 1999 and later served as executive assistant. Her primary responsibilities included office manager, coordination of the BASIC race awareness seminar, facilitation of NCBI diversity training workshops, processing of recruitment paperwork for EPA positions, and updating the University's EEO plan. She was a "fixture" in OEO for nearly 14 years. OEO bids a fond farewell to Kisha Simmons!

Did you know... ?

• Women constitute 39.7% of the employees classified as executives, managers and administrators at NC State; however, among EPA professionals, women comprise nearly half, or 48.9%, of the employee group.
• Minorities (Blacks, Hispanics, Asians and Native Americans) represent 15.7% of all EPA employees and 29.7% of all employees classified as SPA personnel.

Programming Notes

Dialogue on Race Makes A Difference

By Beverly Jones Williams, Director of Outreach and Education

Have you had any discussion regarding Jena 6 with anyone from a different race? Things are happening in our world related to the issue of race, and race is difficult to discuss. Study Circles on Race and Race Relations is designed to create dialogue across racial groups about race. On our campus, we have an opportunity to gain knowledge, experience, and skills in creating productive dialogue about race and race relations through this program. The program is better than ever, with a revised curriculum that will enhance discussion and provide participants with greater insights.

Study Circles on Race and Race Relations provides an opportunity for NC State students, faculty, staff, and administrators to improve the racial climate of the campus through dialogue and action. A Study Circle is a small, diverse group of 8 to 10 individuals who meet once a week for five weeks to share individual stories, learn from others, and take action steps to improve race relations. Study Circles invites people with varied experiences and perceptions to share their stories. The intent is to get people listening to others, which can lead to greater understanding and joint efforts of action. You can learn more and register to participate in a Study Circle at www.ncsu.edu/equal_op/education/study_circles.html.

How Can I Effectively Work and Learn in a Diverse Community?

The Office for Equal Opportunity sponsors several programs throughout the year to help the campus community learn more about equal opportunity and diversity. These programs will enhance your perspective and build your skills. Upcoming programs include:

• The Protected Class of Veteran Status
  Wednesday, 11/7/2007, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• NCBI Building Bridges: Strengthening Leadership for Diverse Communities
  Tuesday, 11/20/2007, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• The EEOC
  Thursday, 11/29/2007, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Exploring Oppression
  Tuesday, 12/4/2007, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• The Protected Class of Sex
  Wednesday, 1/30/2008, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• The Protected Class of National Origin
  Wednesday, 2/13/2008, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• The Protected Class of Disability
  Wednesday, 2/27/2008, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Study Circles on Race and Race Relations
  Available spring semester 2008
  (www.ncsu.edu/equal_op/education/study_circles.html)

These and other workshops are FREE to NC State faculty, staff, and students. To learn more and register visit: www.ncsu.edu/equal_op/education/oeo_reg.html.

Did you know... ?

• Minorities represent only 15.4% of the total number of employees classified as instructional faculty at NC State.
• Among the 3,265 employees classified as EPA employees, only nine indicated their race as Native American. Only ten employees among the 3,862 employees classified as SPA employees identified themselves as Native American.
• Blacks represent only 4.7% of the tenured and tenure-earning faculty at NC State and only 10.1% of the EPA employees classified as executives, managers, and senior level administrators.

OEO Resource Directory

Office for Equal Opportunity (OEO)
1 Holladay Hall
Campus Box 7530
919-515-3148
www.ncsu.edu/equal_op

Disability Services Office (DSO)
1900 Student Health Center
Campus Box 7509
919-515-7653
www.ncsu.edu/dso

Disability Hotline
To report a disability or accommodation issue or concern, send email to ADAHotline@ncsu.edu.

Discrimination or Harassment Complaints or Concerns
For help with a discrimination or harassment concern, contact Amy Circosta at 919-513-1234 or amy_circosta@ncsu.edu. You can also submit a harassment complaint online at www.ncsu.edu/equal_op/harassment/
harassment_complaint_form.html, or send email to report_harassment@ncsu.edu.

Hiring Procedures & Search Committee Orientations
If you are beginning a new search for a position, OEO encourages you to call 919-515-3148 to schedule a search committee orientation.

Workshops & Course Offerings
For information about our workshops and course offerings, please see www.ncsu.edu/equal_op/education.html or contact Beverly Jones Williams at 919-513-3836.

Online Training
We offer online training versions of some of our workshops. See www.ncsu.edu/project/oeo-training.

Faculty Exit Interviews
If you are a departing faculty member, please contact Carson C. Cook at 919-513-2099 or carson_cook@ncsu.edu to schedule your exit interview.

About Equal_Op
This newsletter is published by the Office for Equal Opportunity at NC State University. It is available online at www.ncsu.edu/equal_op/pubs.html and in alternate formats upon request.

If you have questions or comments regarding this newsletter, please contact the Office for Equal Opportunity at 919-515-3148 or by email.