Educational Equity Policy
The Council on Postsecondary Education recognizes that Rhode Island as a state and the United States of America as a nation are composed of individuals with roots from throughout the world and that the state and nation are composed of many racial and ethnic groups. The co-existence of these diverse individuals and the full participation of these groups is, and should be, viewed as a positive factor in our pluralistic society.
Despite the recognition that full access of all people and groups to education opportunities and full participation of these groups in education experiences are desired goals, the Council recognizes that certain individuals and groups have not been afforded the opportunity to participate fully and thereby reach their maximum potential.
Minority groups, women, and disabled persons have found that entry and participation in certain programs and activities have been difficult. Their exclusion and lack of participation are causes of concern which must be responded to in an efficient and positive fashion.
- The Commissioner of Postsecondary Education is charged with ensuring that the educational policies and practices of the public colleges approved by the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner adhere to both federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination.
- Furthermore, the Council accepts its responsibility to provide leadership in promoting nondiscrimination and equal educational opportunity and shall require the public colleges to actively and aggressively pursue programs and activities designed to remove any existing barriers to the provision of equal education opportunity.
- The president of each public college is charged with the responsibility for developing and implementing programs and activities designed to foster education equity, including programs for increasing the participation and retention of minorities, women and disabled persons.
- The Commissioner is responsible for the development and promulgation of any additional regulations and guidelines necessary to achieve the purpose of the foregoing policy.
- The Commissioner is charged with the responsibility for implementing this policy and imposing the appropriate sanctions or penalties required to ensure compliance subject to the approval of the Council.
- The Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner shall provide assistance, to the extent possible, to education agencies in the development and implementation of programs designed to provide equal educational opportunities.
The Council undertakes this action and adopts these policies not because it is required to do so, but because it is right and proper to do.
