Approved: August 15, 2016
Revised: May 29, 2019
August 14, 2020
March 1, 2022
Next Scheduled Review: March 1, 2027
Rule Statement
The working environment at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) shall be free from all forms of discrimination. Conduct constituting discrimination is specifically prohibited by federal law, state law, policies and regulations of The Texas A&M University System, and/or TTI rules, and will result in appropriate sanctions.
TTI is committed to protecting its employees from discrimination by fellow employees, customers, vendors, consultants, and independent contractors. The agency requires employees to report all perceived incidents of discrimination, regardless of the position of the alleged offender. The agency will ensure that all allegations are promptly, thoroughly, and equitably investigated and resolved, and will strive to prevent recurrence of the situation.
Reason for Rule
This rule is required by System Regulation 08.01.01, Civil Rights Compliance and supports TTI’s commitment to be an employer of choice in the areas of work environment and culture, employee well-being, and fairness and respect for all.
Procedures and Responsibilities
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The Ethics and Compliance Director at TTI shall serve as the designated official for overseeing TTI’s civil rights protection program, including serving as the Title IX Coordinator. Contact information for the Title IX Coordinator is: Ethics and Compliance Director/Title IX Coordinator, 1111 RELLIS Parkway, Bryan TX,77807, (979) 317-2000.
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The following employees have authority to institute corrective measures: Ethics and Compliance Director and Title IX Coordinator. An employee with authority to institute “corrective measures” means an employee with authority to redress harassment for complaints involving only Title IX and sex-based misconduct.
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The designated official shall notify the System Ethics and Compliance Office (SECO) and Office of General Counsel (OGC) following the receipt of a complaint or report.
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The Title IX Coordinator will immediately notify the SECO when an inquiry or a charge of discrimination from a local, state or federal agency is received by the agency.
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The Title IX Coordinator will provide a quarterly report to SECO on all alleged violations.
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Any TTI employee who experiences, observes, or becomes aware of alleged or suspected discrimination must promptly report the incident(s) to his or her immediate supervisor, other TTI administrators, or TTI Ethics and Compliance. Complaints of discrimination may also be reported anonymously through TTI’s Risk, Fraud & Misconduct Hotline located on the tti.tamu.edu website.
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Employees may, at any time, file a complaint with TTI Ethics and Compliance or any local, state or federal civil rights office, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Texas Workforce Commission’s Civil Rights Division, or with the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights.
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TTI requires that all employees cooperate fully with those performing an investigation pursuant to this rule. No employee may retaliate against a person for participating in an investigation under this rule.
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As outlined in System Regulation 08.01.01, Civil Rights Compliance, Section 2.3, only certain employees may keep reports of alleged violations confidential. All other employees informed of possible discrimination should advise the reporter that they cannot keep the information confidential and are required to report it. An employee’s failure to report alleged or suspected discrimination may result in disciplinary action, including dismissal. Confidential complaints can be made to a licensed counselor at the TAMUS Employee Assistance Program at (979) 845-3711.
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TTI complies with the civil rights complaint processing procedures outlined by Section 4 of System Regulation 08.01.01, Civil Rights Compliance.
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If an employee is found responsible for discrimination under this rule, TTI may impose any of the disciplinary sanctions and remedies described in Section 4.4.3, System Regulation 08.01.01, Civil Rights Compliance. When an employee is found to have sexually harassed, or engaged in sex-based misconduct against, another member of the TTI community, the sanction will be termination of employment.
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TTI’s CEO shall serve as the appellate authority in accordance with section 4.5 of System Regulation 08.01.01, Civil Rights Compliance.
Related Statutes, Policies, or Requirements
- Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972
- System Policy 08.01, Civil Rights Protections and Compliance
- System Regulation 08.01.01, Civil Rights Compliance
Contact Office
TTI Ethics and Compliance Office
(979) 317-2730