Black - a person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa, not of Hispanic origin.

Asian/Pacific Islander - a person having origins in any part of the Far East, Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands, and the Indian sub-continent.

American Indian/Alaskan Native - a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the present day United States (except Hawaii) and who maintains cultural identification through tribal affiliation or community recognition. Includes the native peoples of Alaska.

Hispanic - a person whose cultural or linguistic origins are Spanish or Latin American regardless of race, e.g., Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central and South American.

Disabled Veteran - a person whose discharge or release from active duty was for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.

Handicap - is defined as a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities. An individual who may be regarded or qualified as a handicapped person is one who is capable of performing a particular job with reasonable accommodation to his or her handicap.

Vietnam Era Veteran - a person who (a) served on active duty for a period more than 180 days, any part of which occurred between August, 1964 and May 7, 1975 and was discharged or released therefrom with other than a dishonorable discharge or (b) was discharged or released from active duty for a service-connected disability if any part of such active duty was performed between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975.

Woman - All.

What is an Affirmative Action Plan?

In general, an Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) is a detailed, result-oriented set of hiring procedures designed to achieve full utilization of minorities and women at all levels and in all parts of an organization's work force. The University's AAP seeks to establish a strong internal commitment to equal employment opportunity, analyze the current work force in order to identify jobs and/or departments where minorities and females are underutilized, set attainable hiring goals in each area of underutilization and offer protection against inequities in hiring, promotion and termination. If employees feel that they have been discriminated against on the basis of their "protected group" status, they should follow the steps outlined in the Affirmative Action Grievance Procedure.

The steps in the Affirmative Action Grievance Procedure are the procedures for addressing complaints arising under federal non-discrimination provisions. A copy of the Affirmative Action Grievance Procedure can be obtained from the EEO Office (The grievance procedure for faculty members is explained in the Faculty Manual). Prior to contacting any external anti-discrimination agencies, The University of Akron staff is encouraged to use the informal and formal grievance procedures available to them at The University of Akron.