FROM:     Theodore R. Alter
                 Associate Vice President for Outreach and
                 Director of Penn State Cooperative Extension

TO:           All Faculty and Field-based Educators with Cooperative Extension Appointments

RE:           Penn State Cooperative Extension Civil Rights Performance Plan

In October 1999, the Office of Equal Opportunity, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, USDA conducted a civil rights program and employment compliance review in Centre and Washington Counties and at University Park. Following this review, we received recommendations regarding the enhancement of our employment process, as well as suggestions for ensuring that we do not discriminate as we plan, implement and evaluate our Penn State Cooperative Extension programs across the Commonwealth. As a result of the review, we have revised our Penn State Cooperative Extension Affirmative Action Plan.

The revised plan, now called the Penn State Cooperative Extension Civil Rights Compliance Plan, is attached. This document serves as the foundation of our civil rights and affirmative action programming for Cooperative Extension in Pennsylvania. It outlines initiatives and directives for assuring that we are carrying out both the letter and spirit of the laws related to nondiscrimination in program access for citizens of the Commonwealth and equal employment opportunity.

Our plan is focused around four overarching Civil Rights program goals:

1. Increase participation of people of underrepresented groups on the County Extension Board and on program planning and advisory committees.
2. Modify educational programs to increase participation of people of underrepresented groups.
3. Educate staff in Civil Rights program planning.
4. Advise all potential recipients of program availability and Penn State Cooperative Extension's policy of equal access.
   

Within each of these goals are objectives for which all program areas are responsible. The plan details responsibilities for extension field-based educators, faculty and administrators that are essential in fulfilling our philosophical commitments and legal obligations. Please review the document carefully so you are aware of the commitments required to successfully implement the plan.

The plan also details procedures for conducting compliance reviews and internal monitoring, reporting requirements and plans for enhancing Penn State Cooperative Extension workforce diversity.

I am personally committed to ensuring that we do not discriminate or condone discriminatory practices in any way, and to meeting all of Penn State Cooperative Extension's legal obligations. We will be required to report on our progress toward the goals identified in the Penn State Cooperative Civil Rights Performance Plan. The information field-based educators report on annual desk audits will be an important element in the preparation of that report. As another important component in the preparation of our report, faculty will be asked to also document their accomplishments under each of the relevant overarching Civil Rights program goals. Therefore, it is important that all faculty and field-based educators maintain appropriate documentation for each of the goals and report both contact data and narrative "success stories" via our web-based reporting system.

The success of our individual and organizational efforts to afford equal access and achieve balanced participation in our cooperative extension education programs is the responsibility of each field-based educator, faculty member and administrator who holds a cooperative extension appointment within our organization. I know I can continue to count on you to carry out your responsibilities to help Penn State Cooperative Extension fulfill its responsibilities and meet its obligations.

Thank you for your continuing commitment and leadership in fulfilling our Civil Rights and Affirmative Action responsibilities.

c: G. Spanier
J. Ryan
R. Steele
D. Brown
J. Locker
Associate Deans
Assistant Directors
Academic Unit Leaders
Regional Directors