General Information and Policies

West Virginia University at Parkersburg policies comply with a number of federal and state laws that prohibit harassment, discrimination and retaliation on the basis of the characteristics listed in the college’s Notice of Nondiscrimination. WVU Parkersburg is committed to ensuring that members of the college community are able to work and pursue their education in a safe and respectful environment free from any form of harassment, discrimination or retaliation. The Executive Director of Policy and Compliance serves in the capacities of Title IX Coordinator, ADA & Section 504 Coordinator, and Affirmative Action / Equal Employment Opportunity Administrator, and oversees WVU at Parkersburg’s compliance with state and federal laws that protect civil rights. Protection from harassment or discrimination is based on one’s status in any of the following categories:

• • Age: Discrimination that involves treating an applicant, student, or employee less favorably because of his or her age. In the employment context, people age 40 and older are protected.
  • Ancestry: Ancestry discrimination refers to discrimination on the basis of the nation, country, tribe or other group from which a person descends, along with any cultural characteristics that may accompany such ancestry.
  • Disability: Harassment and discrimination on the basis of disability is addressed separately HERE.

• Genetic Information: Discrimination on the basis of genetic information is prohibited in employment or employee health benefits.
• Race, Color, National Origin: All persons must be treated equally without regard to their race, color, or national origin.
• Religion: Discrimination on the basis of religion is valuing or treating a person or group differently because of what they do or do not believe.
• Retaliation: Any adverse action taken against a person because he or she complained about harassment or discrimination, supported a complainant alleging harassment or discrimination, or participated in the investigation of a claim of harassment or discrimination constitutes Retaliation.
• Sex (including sexual harassment, gender identity, pregnancy, and sexual orientation): Harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex may, under some circumstances, be covered by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and, when pertaining to employment, may be covered by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Sexual harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex may also include gender identity, pregnancy, or sexual orientation.  Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence (including sexual assault, stalking, domestic violence and dating violence) under Title IX are addressed separately HERE.

Please refer to our harassment and discrimination policies for specific guidelines on these matters.

Report Harassment or Discrimination

Employees who want to learn more about the range of options for addressing harassment, discrimination or retaliation, contact the Executive Director of Human Resources and Compliance. The Executive Director will respect the privacy of the information you report and will share it only as necessary with those who “need to know” in order to assist in the assessment, investigation, and/or resolution of the report.

Mary Bentz, Executive Director of Human Resources and Compliance
West Virginia University at Parkersburg
300 Campus Drive, Parkersburg, WV 26104
304-424-8212 | Email: mary.bentz@wvup.edu

For students experiencing these issues, please contact the Executive Director of Student Support Services.

Kelly Wiltsey, Campus Counselor & Accessibility Services Specialist
West Virginia University at Parkersburg
300 Campus Drive, Parkersburg, WV 26104
304-424-8388 | Email: kelly.wiltsey@wvup.edu

For more information about reporting harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex.
For more information about reporting harassment or discrimination on the basis of disability.

External Reporting Options:

Office of Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
The Wanamaker Building
100 Penn Square East, Suite 515
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3323
Telephone: 215-656-8541
FAX: 215-656-8605; TDD: 877-521-2172
Email: OCR_Philadelphia@ed.gov
Website: U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights

The West Virginia Human Rights Commission
1321 Plaza East – Room 108A
Charleston, WV 25301
Telephone: 304-558-2616
Toll Free: 888-676-5546
Facsimile: 304-558-0085
Website: West Virginia Human Rights Commission

For complaints involving employees:
United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
801 Market Street, Suite 1300
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3127
Telephone: 866-408-8075
Fax: 215-440-2606
TTY: 800-669-6820
Website: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission