Civil Rights

C.E.S.P. 2-9: Racial-Ethnic Data Collection

Date Revised: 11-11-2004
Supersedes: 4-11-2001

Summary: Establishes policy regulating collections of racial-ethnic data on participants in Extension programs.

The following is adapted from guidelines issued by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (O.M.B.)

Persons participating in Extension educational programs may be requested (not required) to provide data on race, ethnic background, age, and sex. The following statement must appear on all applications or other forms on which racial-ethnic data is required:

"This information is requested solely for the purpose of determining compliance with federal civil rights law, and your response will not affect your eligibility to participate in Extension programs. By providing this information, you will assist us in assuring that this program is administered in a nondiscriminatory manner."

When a participant does not provide the requested information, the Extension agent should secure the information by observation, if possible. The agent may not "second guess" or in any other way change the information provided by the participants unless the information is patently false.  The agent may indicate that the requested information is "undetermined" if no other option is available.