ARVA Title IX and Non-Discrimination Notice
Title IX Non-Discrimination Policy
Arkansas Virtual Academy (ARVA) is committed to providing an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, which includes gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual violence, as regulated by Title VII and Title IX, and to insuring the accessibility of appropriate grievance procedures for addressing all complaints regarding all forms of sex discrimination and sexual harassment. ARVA reserves the authority to independently deal with sex discrimination and sexual harassment whenever becoming aware of their existence, regardless of whether a complaint has been lodged in accordance with the grievance procedure set forth below.
It is the policy of the ARVA Board of Directors and ARVA administration to ensure that all employees comply with the spirit and intent of federal, state and local law, government regulations, executive orders regulating affirmative action and equal opportunity in employment. Arkansas Virtual Academy will hire, train, promote, compensate, and administer all employment practices and benefits without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Arkansas Virtual Academy fully supports the Americans with Disabilities Act and will reasonably accommodate disabled employees and applicants who can perform the essential functions of a job for which they are qualified, with or without accommodation, unless undue hardship to ARVA exists.
Information and Assistance
Definition of Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment (for Students):
- Sex discrimination occurs when a person, because of his or her sex, is denied participation in or the benefits of any education program or activity that receives federal financial assistance.
- Sexual harassment is conduct that: 1) is sexual in nature; 2) is unwelcome; and 3) denies or limits a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from a school’s educational program or activity. Sexual harassment can be verbal, nonverbal or physical.
Definition of Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment (for Employees):
- Sex discrimination occurs when a person who is qualified for a position at issue is subjected to an adverse employment action because of his or her sex.
- Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: 1) submission to such conduct is made a term or condition of employment; 2) submission to or rejection of the conduct is used as a basis for employment decisions affecting the individual; or 3) the conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with the employee’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment.
Any individual, who believes he/she may have experienced any form of sex discrimination or sexual harassment, or who believes that he/she has observed such actions taking place, may receive information and assistance regarding the School’s policies and reporting procedures from any of the following:
Title IX Coordinator:
Rhonda Soule, Operations Manager
717 West 7th Street
Little Rock, AR 72201
rsoule@arva.org
501.664.4225
For further information on notice of non- discrimination, visit https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/index.html for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1.800.421.3481.