Academic Catalog

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Policy

Clark Atlanta University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The University provides equal employment opportunities to all faculty, staff, students and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, physical handicap, military or status as a Vietnam veteran in compliance with applicable federal and state laws that pertain to nondiscrimination. Such action shall include, but is not limited to, employment, promotion, demotion or transfer; recruitment or recruitment advertising; lay-off or separation; rates of pay or other forms of compensation and selection for training programs.

Clark Atlanta University is committed to providing equal educational opportunity for all qualified student applicants and enrolled students without regard to race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. This commitment to equal opportunity includes recruitment, admission, access to and usage of facilities, counseling and testing, financial assistance, placement and curricular programs and activities.

Sexual Harassment Policy

It is the policy of Clark Atlanta University that sexual harassment and discrimination on the basis of gender will not be condoned. As a matter of practice and policy, the University is committed to maintaining an educational and working environment free of conduct that degrades or subjugates employees or students. This policy applies equally to faculty, administrative and support staff and students, and is in keeping with the spirit and intent of Federal guidelines (Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) on discrimination because of gender.

It is the policy of Clark Atlanta University to provide each student, faculty member, and staff member with an environment free from harassment.

Sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that interferes with performance by creating a hostile, offensive, or intimidating work environment or is an expressed or implied condition of employment. Such behavior will be subject to disciplinary actions up to and including dismissal.

Title IX – Policy Statement

The University is a recipient of federal funds. As such, the University complies with Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §1681 et. seq. (“Title IX”), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities. In compliance with Title IX, the University is and remains committed to:

  • Providing programs, activities, and an educational environment free from Sex Discrimination;
  • Providing programs, activities, and an educational environment free from “sexual assault,” “domestic violence,” “dating violence,” and “stalking,” as those terms are defined under section 40002(a) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 and/or applicable state law;
  • Fostering an environment that encourages prompt reporting of all types of Sexual Misconduct and Sex Discrimination and a timely response to complaints;
  • Providing adequate, prompt, fair and impartial investigations into and resolution of allegations of Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Discrimination; and
  • Ensuring that Title IX investigations are conducted by University officials who receive annual training on the issues related to Sexual Misconduct and Sex Discrimination, and on how to conduct an investigation and hearing process that protects the safety of the accusers and promotes accountability.

For additional information about Title IX, please click on the following link: http://www.cau.edu/titleix-overview/index.html or visit the CAU website, then click on Offices and Resources to access the Title IX link.

Drug and Alcohol Policy

Clark Atlanta University does not permit or condone the illicit or unauthorized possession, use, consumption, sale or distribution of illegal drugs and/or alcohol by its students and employees on its property or as part of its activities. This policy applies to all full-time and part-time students; and all full-time and part-time permanent and temporary employees, including faculty, administration, all exempt and non-exempt staff and any student employees and interns.

Students who violate this policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action consistent with local, state and federal law, which may include counseling, a reprimand and warning, disciplinary probation, suspension, expulsion and referral to the proper law enforcement authorities for prosecution.

Employees who violate this policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action consistent with local, state and federal law, which may include counseling, mandatory participation in an appropriate rehabilitation program, being placed on strict probation, unpaid suspension from employment, termination of employment and referral to the proper law enforcement authorities for prosecution.

All disciplinary procedures and appeals presently applicable to students and employees will continue to be available for violations of this policy.

The purpose of this policy is to produce a workplace and campus environment that discourages the unauthorized or illegal use of drugs and alcohol by students and employees. The University has prepared and made available information that is important for each student and employee to read and understand regarding the legal penalties and the health risks that are associated with alcohol and drug abuse.