Civil Rights Information & Resources

Letter from the Extension Director

Welcome to the UMass Extension Affirmative Action website section. UMass Extension makes it a priority to reach out to diverse audiences across the state of Massachusetts, our region and the country. UMass Extension strives to offer equal access to educational programs and equal opportunity in employment for people without discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, physical ability, religion, sexual orientation and veteran status. UMass Extension adheres to federal and state statues, regulations and University policies regarding Civil Rights in our role as a cooperator with the United States Department of Agriculture, (USDA), Cooperative State Research,Education and Extension Services (CSREES).

Web-based information on our Civil Rights achievements, policies and services are organized for our public and our staff members in the following way:

1. “Non-discrimination Statements” includes both the long and short non-discrimination statements to be used on publications.
2. Extension CREES Civil Rights Review Response: Historical background, recent program innovations and action steps Extension will take over the next few years to comply with federal statutes and provide equal access to programs
3. Civil Rights Timeline: Strategic focus and action steps
   (2006-2010) that Extension administration and programs will undertake to
   achieve equal opportunity, access and reporting goals.
4. “Program Outreach” offers updates on Extension programs and lists recent program accomplishments illustrating how Extension assures our stakeholders are reasonably and equally treated.
5. “How to Report Concerns around Discrimination” refers to the process to be used to raise discrimination-related issues regarding Extension programs.
6. “Civil Rights Web Resources” provides links to the laws, regulations and policies that govern the conduct of Extension programs and offers an overview of the resources available on campus.
7. “UMass Extension Public Notification Policy” describes how Extension ensures continued notification to the public of its equal opportunity policy and includes Non-discrimination statements to be used on publications.
8. “UMass Extension Mailing Lists Policy” describes protocols related to list management, including provisions for equal access.
9. Use the “Feedback Form” to ask a question or provide feedback about how Extension is performing in the areas of Civil Rights compliance. For more information on the four individual Extension programs, please visit their web sites.

As our state becomes more diverse, Extension staff and partners are challenged to ensure civil rights compliance and equal access to our programs. Extension's Diversity Working Group, comprised of two staff representatives from each program, recently submitted the 2006-2010 Civil Rights Timeline to CSREES. It provides monthly steps to roll out diversity improvements over time. UMass Extension is committed to ongoing staff development to ensure understanding of Extension's civil rights goals, equal opportunity in employment and access to programs and services by the public across the Commonwealth. I invite your creative ideas and comments as we move forward to implement this important aspect of our work together, and look forward to seeing you at the great variety of Extension programs offered throughout the Commonwealth each year. UMass Extension is committed to ongoing staff development to ensure equal access to programs and employment. I welcome your suggestions or comments on how we can improve our services to assure equal access to programs and look forward to seeing you at the great variety of Extension programs offered throughout the Commonwealth each year.

Sincerely,

Nancy L. Garrabrants, Director
UMass Extension

UMass Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer, United States Department of Agriculture cooperating. Contact your local Extension office for information on disability accommodations. Contact the State Extension Director’ Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 413-545-4800 or see www.umassextension.org/civilrights/.