PROGRAM DELIVERY

Goals:
1. To extend all SOA programs to everyone in the territory.
2. To extend all SOA programs to all clientele within all the U.S. Virgin Islands.
3. To enable all potential clientele/stakeholders to benefit from SOA programs by making necessary adjustments to program schedules and content.
4. To publicize programs to the Virgin Islands community through various mass media systems.

Procedures:
1. All SOA activities, such as seminars, shortcourses, workshops, demonstrations, etc., will be advertised in local newspapers, and various radio and television stations serving the islands, and social media.
2. Newsletters and publications, relating to SOA programs, will be sent to all SOA clientele/stakeholders, interested groups and other minority associations.
3. Some SOA seminars, shortcourses, workshops, demonstrations, etc., will be held primarily in the evenings, Saturdays and Sundays to accommodate clientele needs.
4. SOA educational programs will be adjusted to the needs of all clienteles.
5. Efforts will be made to increase the membership of under-represented racial/ethnic minority group members in structured 4-H youth and family community clubs and special interests/study groups.
6. Emphasis will be placed in increasing the participation of person serving on program planning and advisory committees.

PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
Goals:
1. To inform the entire Virgin Islands community of the availability of SOA programs without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
2. To inform all clientele/stakeholders of the nondiscriminatory requirements of SOA communications and written materials released to the public.
3. To inform organizations, groups, associations, etc., with whom SOA cooperates in conducting educational programs and activities, of the nondiscriminatory provisions of the UVI SOA.

Procedures:
1. All SOA lettterheads will display the following: UVI School of Agriculture is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
2. All offices and other facilities used by SOA in serving the public will publicly display the “And Justice for All” poster.
3. All groups associated with the SOA will be provided with communication informing them of the nondiscriminatory provisions of SOA.
4. All public materials will convey the message of equal opportunity, using appropriate photos, graphics and statements.
5. Announcements of all programs conducted by SOA will be posted in public places, provided to organizations, and posted at a variety of businesses which are frequented by members of all racial groups.
6. Mass media, including radio and television stations, newspapers and social media, will be used to inform potential beneficiaries of the SOA programs and the opportunities for participation.

CIVIL RIGHTS TRAINING
Goals:
1. To familiarize all SOA employees with local and federal civil rights laws, rules and regulations.
2. To provide orientation to new employees regarding civil rights laws, rules and regulations.
3. To conduct annual civil rights seminars and training for all employees.
4. To provide training for the EEO officer to effectively enforce civil rights requirements.

Procedures:
1. An annual civil rights training will be conducted for all SOA personnel at all levels of classifications.
2. SOA will conduct civil rights training for new employees and provide orientation to new employees with familiarity of the University’s Human Resources Policy.

COMPLIANCE REVIEW
Goals:
1. To ensure that civil rights/equal employment laws and regulations are being complied with at the St. Croix and St. Thomas/St. John districts of the SOA.
2. To ensure that SOA outreach programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
3. To ensure that SOA programs are communicated in such a way that they convey nondiscriminatory images.
4. To increase awareness of managerial responsibilities.
5. To improve understanding and importance of the need for documentation.
6. To provide the basis for improving personnel and program management, and provide data to measure progress.
7. To identify areas where the territory’s district offices can strengthen its civil rights and affirmative action efforts.

Procedures
1. An annual compliance review will be conducted at the St. Croix and St. Thomas district offices of UVI SOA to ensure that civil rights/EEO rules and regulations are being complied with.

EMPLOYMENT/WORKFORCE DIVERSITY
Goals
1. To ensure that equal opportunity is available to all employees to enhance skills to perform at highest potential and to advance in accordance with abilities and qualifications.
2. To enhance equal opportunity for under-utilized and under-represented employees and applicants of all race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.
3. To remove all employment barriers to equitable hiring, promotion, training, and separation rates for protected groups.
4. To provide training for the SOA EEO officer to effectively enforce EEO requirements.
5. To ensure that recruitment activities are designed to reach, attract and employ candidates for all positions for minority, as well as majority group members of the territory.
6. To assure fullest possible utilization of skills of SOA employees.

Procedures
1. The EEO officer will ensure that EEO rules and regulations are adhered to in all aspects of SOA programs and employment.
2. Employment data will be reviewed for setting employment goals.
3. The EEO Officer will conduct annual training where SOA EEO programs will be discussed.
4. All recruitment activities for SOA positions will be designed to reach and attract candidates from minority and majority groups.
5. An employee skills utilization survey will be conducted every two years to determine those with under-utilized or non-utilized job skills, experience and potential.
6. All SOA employees will be provided with prompt, fair and impartial processing of complaints of discrimination and EEO counselling.

 

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