Title VI

Your Rights Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

“No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the-benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

What is Title VI?

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the Federal law that protects individuals from discrimination on the basis of their age, race, color, or national origin in programs that receive Federal financial assistance.

What programs are covered by Title VI?

Approximately 30 Federal agencies provide Federal financial assistance in the form of funds, training, and technical and other assistance to State and local governments, and non-profit and private organizations. These recipients of Federal assistance, in turn, operate programs and deliver benefits and services to individuals (known as “beneficiaries”) to achieve the goals of the Federal legislation that authorizes the programs.

Federally assisted programs address such broad and diverse areas as:

• Elementary, secondary, and higher education.
• Health care, social services, and public welfare.
• Public transportation.
• Parks and recreation.
• Natural resources and the environment.
• Employment and job training.
• Housing and community development.
• Law enforcement and the administration of justice.
• Agriculture and nutrition.

What discrimination is prohibited by Title VI?

There are many forms of illegal discrimination based on age, race, color, or national origin that can limit the opportunity of minorities to gain equal access to services and programs. Among other things, in operating a federally assisted program, a recipient cannot, on the basis of age, race, color, or national origin, either directly or through contractual means:

• Deny program services, aids, or benefits
• Provide a different service, aid, or benefit, or provide services in a manner different than they are provided to others
• Segregate or separately treat individuals in any matter related to the receipt of any service, aid, or benefit.

Notice of Title VI Coordinator

While compliance with the law is everyone’s responsibility at the University, listed below is the University’s Title VI Coordinator who has primary responsibility for Title VI Compliance.

Title VI Coordinator/ Director of Human Resources
Department of Human Resources & Payroll Services
713-313-7521
Hannah Hall, Room 126
Texas Southern University
Houston, TX 77004

How can I file a Title VI discrimination complaint?

Each agency that receives or provides Federal financial assistance is responsible for investigating complaints of discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, or national origin in the use of its funds. If you believe that you or others protected by Title VI have been discriminated against, you should file a complaint with the University’s Title VI Coordinator (Human Resources Office – Hannah Hall room 126).

External Complaint Procedure (Complaints filed by external community)
Transportation-related discrimination complaints filed under Title VI against TSU or its sub recipients will be forwarded to TxDOT for investigation within 10 calendar days.

Texas Southern University has an internal complaint procedure and a Title VI Coordinator responsible for investigating all Title VI complaints. If you or someone you know believes he/she has been discriminated against, please contact the Title VI Coordinator.

The complaint procedures for Texas Southern University are as follows: Title VI complaints must be filed with TSU within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory act. A written complaint should include: