What is Title VI?
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) is the federal law that protects individuals from being discriminated against on the basis of their race, color, or national origin in programs that receive federal financial assistance.
What organizations are covered by Title VI?
Approximately 30 federal agencies provide federal assistance in the form of funds, training, technical and other assistance to state and local governments, non-profits and private organizations. Recipients of federal assistance, including Boise State University, operate programs and deliver benefits and services to individuals to achieve the goals of the federal legislation that authorizes the program.
What discrimination is prohibited by Title VI?
In operating a federally assisted program, an organization or individual cannot, on the basis of race, color, or national origin, either directly or through contractual means:
- Deny program services, aids, or benefits.
- Provide a different service, aid, or benefit, or provide services in a manner different than they are provided to others.
- Segregate or treat individuals differently in any matter related to the receipt of any service, aid, or benefit.
At Boise State University, discrimination prohibited by Title VI is addressed in Policy 1060 (Non-Discrimination & Anti-Harassment).
What do I do if I feel that I have been discriminated against?
Boise State University’s Title VI Coordinator is responsible for Title VI compliance. If you or someone you know believes they have been discriminated against, please contact the Coordinator at (208) 426-1258 or complete the Title VI Complaint Form here
(View Title VI Process (PDF) for more information / Consulte Titulo VI Proceso (PDF) para más información). Title VI complaints must be filed with the Coordinator no later than 180 business days from:
- The date of the alleged discrimination.
- The date when the individual became aware of the alleged discrimination.
- Where there has been a continuing course of conduct, the date on which that conduct was discontinued or the most recent instance of that conduct.
Exceptions to this requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis when the complaining party can show cause for the delay in reporting. Contact the Coordinator for additional information.
What if I am not comfortable filing a complaint with the University?
Any individual or organization who believes they have been denied benefits, excluded from participation, or subject to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, or national origin may submit a complaint to the U.S. Department of Education:
Office of Civil Rights – Seattle Office
915 Second Avenue, Room 3310
Seattle, WA 98174-1099
(206) 607-1600
ocr.seattle@ed.gov
What is the University’s complaint investigation process?
10 Business Days
When a complaint is submitted, the Coordinator will acknowledge receipt of the complaint in writing and, if appropriate, initiate an investigation within 10 business days. If the Title VI Coordinator determines that no investigation is required, the Coordinator will provide the reasons for this determination. In some cases, issues are resolved informally without an investigation. In other cases, the complaining party withdraws the complaint or cannot be located.
In certain instances, the university may be required to notify external governmental agencies when a discrimination complaint is filed. Information provided may include but is not limited to name, address and phone number of the complaining party, basis of the complaint, date of the alleged discriminatory act, summary of complaint, other agencies where complaint has been filed, and an explanation of the actions the University will take to resolve the complaint.
14 Business Days
If additional information is necessary to process a complaint, the party filing the complaint will be notified in writing and given 14 business days from the date of the notification to provide the additional information requested. If no response is received, the Coordinator may close the case without further action.
Once the Coordinator has all the information necessary to investigate a complaint, an investigator will be assigned. When the investigation is complete, one of two reports will be issued – a closure report or report of finding. A closure report summarizes the allegations and states that no Title VI violation occurred so the case will be closed. A report of finding summarizes the allegations and the interviews regarding the alleged incident, provides a summary of the violations that occurred, and explains what corrective action the University will take.
60 Business Days
Although the University strives to complete all investigations and issue a final report within 60 business days of receipt of all relevant information, occasionally more time may be needed to complete an investigation. If additional time is necessary, the complaining party will be notified in writing.
What if I disagree with the outcome of the investigation?
University Policy 1060 does not provide for an appeal. However, if you are unsatisfied with the outcome of the investigation, you may file a complaint with OCR:
Office of Civil Rights-Seattle Office
915 Second Avenue, Room 3310
Seattle, WA 98174-1099
(206) 607-1600
ocr.seattle@ed.gov
What if the recipient retaliates against me for filing a complaint?
You should be aware that all recipients of federal funds, including Boise State University, are prohibited from retaliating against you or any person because they opposed an unlawful policy or practice, or made charges, testified, or participated in any complaint action under Title VI. If you believe that you have been retaliated against, you should immediately file a complaint with the Title VI Coordinator.
Does Boise State University prohibit other types of discrimination?
It is the policy of Boise State University to comply with all federal and state authorities requiring nondiscrimination, including but not limited to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and Executive Orders 12898 (Environmental Justice) and 13166 (Limited English Proficiency), in all programs and activities regardless of funding.
The university does not exclude, deny benefits, or subject any individual to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, income, veteran status, limited English proficiency, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
The University’s nondiscrimination and anti-harassment policy may be found at: Policy 1060 (Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment). Any individual requiring information in alternative formats or in another language, subject to the University’s Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan, should contact the Title VI Coordinator:
Title VI Coordinator Contact Information
Title VI Coordinator
Office of Title IX and Institutional Equity
University Plaza, Suite 250
960 S. Broadway Ave.
Boise, ID 83725
Phone: (208) 426-1258
Email: tixie@boisestate.edu
Who should I contact if I’ve experienced discrimination not covered by Title VI?
There are multiple individuals on campus responsible for enforcing nondiscrimination requirements. Contact information for some of these individuals is listed below. If you are unsure who to contact, you may submit a Title VI Complaint Form (which has a place to report discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender, limited English proficiency, low income, age, disability, environmental justice or other protected characteristic), or call the Title VI Coordinator for assistance.
Contact Information
Director of Title IX and Institutional Equity, Title IX Coordinator
Office of Title IX and Institutional Equity
University Plaza, Suite 250
Email: tixie@boisestate.edu
Phone: (208) 426-1258