Nondiscrimination Policy

Olivet Nazarene University prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, sex, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or other legally protected status in employment or in the recruitment and admission of students and in the operation of all University programs, activities and services. University policy prohibits retaliation against anyone for reporting a suspected violation of this policy or participating in any investigation or resolution of a suspected violation of this policy. Any concerns regarding discrimination or harassment on the basis of any of the foregoing protected categories or retaliation should be addressed to the Director of Human Resources, who serves as the University’s equal employment opportunity coordinator and Title IX Coordinator in the Human Resources Office, Miller Business Center, (815) 939-5240. Suspected violations of this policy will be investigated in a manner that preserves confidentiality to the greatest extent possible.

The intent of this policy is to prohibit unlawful discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and sexual misconduct (i.e., sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking), and to promote the full realization of equal opportunity while preserving the religious nature of the University as a Nazarene institution as prescribed in the University’s Statement of Mission, Faith, and Lifestyle Covenant. It is understood that nothing in this policy will undermine the integrity of the University as a Nazarene University. Therefore, no oral or written statement that is in conformity with the teaching of the Church of the Nazarene shall be deemed as violating this policy.

Discrimination means material, adverse treatment of a person or group on the basis of race, sex, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or other legally protected status. Discrimination occurs when persons are excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, any University program or activity on the basis of a protected status. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this definition of discrimination does not include differential treatment explicitly permitted by law (such as the law’s allowance for sex-segregated dormitories). Furthermore, this definition shall not, in any way, limit the University’s right to maintain its Nazarene character and to implement programs, policies, and practices in furtherance of its religious identity and objectives as specifically allowed by federal law, including the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

The University qualifies as an educational institution controlled by a religious organization as specified in 34 C.F.R. § 106.12. No provision of this policy, or of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 or its implementing regulations, shall be applied in such a way as to conflict with the University’s Nazarene and Christian beliefs, including, but not limited to those points specified in the University’s Mission, Vision, and Values, and the teachings of the Church of the Nazarene.

Updated: 12/1/2022