Non-Discrimination Policy Notice to the Public

It is the policy of the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) not to discriminate on the basis of the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age or sex in the administration of its programs or activities, as required by applicable laws and regulations. ITEP is responsible for coordination of compliance efforts and receipt of inquiries concerning non-discrimination requirements implemented by 40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 13 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (hereinafter collectively known as the Acts).

ITEP employees shall not intimidate, threaten, coerce, or discriminate against any individual or group, either: (a) For the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege guaranteed by the Acts or this part, or (b) Because the individual has filed a complaint or has testified, assisted or participated in any way in an investigation, proceeding or hearing under this part, or has opposed any practice made unlawful by the Acts, nor will ITEP tolerate such actions. Retaliation is a serious violation of this policy and must be reported to the Title VI Coordinator immediately.

A complaint may be filed with ITEP through the Northern Arizona University Equity and Access Office or with the U.S. EPA addressed to External Civil Rights Complaint Office, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code 2310A, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington D.C. 20460, or via electronic mail to Title_VI_Complaints@epa.gov.

For more information on the ITEP non-discrimination program, and the procedures to file a complaint, contact Priscilla Mills, Northern Arizona University Title VI Coordinator, (TTY 928-523-3312); email Priscilla.Mills@nau.edu; or visit our administrative office at Northern Arizona University Equity and Access Office, Old Main, Building 10, Flagstaff, Arizona 86011. Visit the ITEP website for more information about its programs.

If information is needed in another language, contact (928) 523-3312. Para información en Español llame: (928) 523-3312.

Non-Employee Discrimination Complaint Procedures

These procedures provide guidance for all complaints filed under non-discrimination requirements implemented by 40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 13 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972. Intimidation or retaliation as a result of a complaint or cooperation in an investigation is prohibited by law.

1. Any person who believes they have been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age or sex may file a discrimination complaint by completing and submitting ITEP’s Non-Employee Discrimination Complaint Form. Because ITEP is part of Northern Arizona University, complaints will be handled by the Northern Arizona University Equity and Access Office under the direction of the NAU Title VI Coordinator.
   
   
2. Complaints must be filed within ninety (90) calendar days of when the alleged unlawful discriminatory act occurred.
   
   
3. Complaints must be in writing and signed by the complainant(s) and must include the complainant(s) name, address and phone number. The Title VI Coordinator or delegate will assist the complainant with documenting the issues if necessary.
   
   
4. Allegations received by fax or e-mail will be acknowledged and processed, once the identity of the complainant(s) and the intent to proceed with the complaint have been established. For this, the complainant is required to mail a signed, original copy of the fax or email transmittal for the complaint to be processed.
   
   
5. Allegations received by telephone will be reduced to writing and provided to the complainant for confirmation or revision before processing. A complaint form will be forwarded to the complainant to complete, sign and return for processing.
   
   
6. Once submitted, the Northern Arizona University Equity and Access Office will review the complaint form to determine jurisdiction. The Equity and Access Office will notify the complainant in writing of its determination as to whether the Equity and Access Office has jurisdiction or authority to investigate the complaint and whether the Equity and Access Office finds merit to the allegations to investigate the complaint within fifteen (15) working days from when the Equity and Access Office Title VI Coordinator received the signed complaint.
   
   
7. Within 180 days of the Equity and Access Office’s acceptance to investigate a complaint, the Title VI Coordinator will issue a letter to the complainant summarizing the allegations and findings unless it is determined that, based upon the complexity of the complaint, additional time is needed. If it is determined that additional time is needed for the issuance of the written decision, the specified number of days by which the complaint evaluation will be extended will be conveyed in writing to the complainant.
   
   
8. If more information is needed to resolve the case, the investigator may contact the complainant. The complainant has 10 business days from the date of the letter to send requested information to the investigator assigned to the case. If the investigator is not contacted by the complainant or does not receive the additional information within 10 business days, the investigator can administratively close the case. A case can be administratively closed also if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue their case.
   
   
9. "Preponderance of the Evidence" is the standard by which non-employee complaints must be proved. This standard requires that, for a finding of discrimination, the evidence must show that it is more likely than not (that is, more than 50% likely) that ITEP caused harm due to a discriminatory action.
   
   
10. In lieu of filing a complaint with ITEP, or if dissatisfied with Northern Arizona University Equity and Access Office, complaints may be filed in accordance with 40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7 with the U.S. EPA addressed to External Civil Rights Complaint Office, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code 2310A, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington D.C. 20460, or via electronic mail to Title_VI_Complaints@epa.gov.
    
    
11. A copy of these procedures can be found online at: ITEP and EAO.

Download Form:
ITEP’s Non-Employee Discrimination Complaint Form [pdf]