Michigan State University Language Access Plan

Michigan State University (MSU) is committed to a diverse and inclusive campus where all individuals feel valued through the University’s educational programs, activities, and services. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits recipients of federal financial assistance from discriminating based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin by, among other things, failing to provide meaningful access to educational programs, activities and services for individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). MSU prohibits discrimination on the basis of national origin (including limited English proficiency) in the Anti-Discrimination Policy. A person with LEP is an individual who does not speak English as their primary language and/or has limited ability to read, speak, write or understand English. The University has taken reasonable steps in this Plan to provide meaningful access and ensure that individuals with LEP will be able to communicate, either through written or oral language services, with members of our staff.

In accord with Title VI and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) needing interpretation services to access the services provided by MSU Health Care should request interpretation services when scheduling an appointment for health care.

Other individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) in need of assistance in order to access the University’s educational programs, activities and services, are invited to contact the Title VI Coordinator (below) to identify available resources related to language assistance.

Note: English language proficiency may be required as a bona fide qualification for acceptance in a University program or employment

Identifying Individuals Who Need Language Assistance

MSU is a broad and diverse community that includes faculty, staff and students who speak multiple languages. Individuals in need of language assistance to access the University’s educational programs, activities, and services will be referred to the appropriate resources on campus for further language assistance, as detailed in this Plan. Additional external resources to identify language needs can be accessed and are available via the U.S. government LEP webpage.

Available Resources for Language Assistance

Upon receiving a request for language assistance, the Title VI Coordinator will engage in an interactive process. Virtual, on-demand interpretation services will be available during any meeting with the Title VI Coordinator. The purpose of this process will be to understand the needs of the individual with LEP and based on the circumstances, to identify any available resources and reasonable assistance measures. Some available resources include:

Language Line (On Demand, Virtual Interpretation Services)

Services provided during meetings with the Title VI Coordinator.

MSU Translation Center

Services include: Translation of digital or print materials, Virtual or in-person interpretation, Transcript translation, Specialized Language for Special Purposes (LSP) courses, Oral Proficiency Interviews (OPI) training and testing for educators, Industry specific proficiency training and testing, Simulated patient recruiter and provider, Visa assistance, and Localization. The University will cover the cost of translation for documents to the extent it is considered reasonable to provide meaningful access to the University’s education and programs. The individual with LEP will need to contact the Title VI Coordinator before requesting translation if they would like to have the costs covered.

https://translationcenter.msu.edu/

Request a Translation

Effective Communication for People with Disabilities

The University’s Disability and Reasonable Accommodation Policy is based on Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, and other applicable laws and regulations. The Disability & Reasonable Accommodation Policy prohibits discrimination and harassment against a qualified individual with a disability and contains the University’s commitment to providing effective communication for persons with disabilities, including but not limited to those relying on American Sign Language to communicate. This may include people who have a vision, hearing, or speech disabilities (communication disabilities) or other disabilities.

To the extent possible, if other University programs, colleges or units have an individualized language access plan, the Title VI Coordinator may refer that individual to that program’s plan for additional assistance (e.g., MSU Extension Language Access Plan).

Identifying Need for Individualized Plans within Programs

The Title VI Coordinator along with the Language Access Workgroup will work to identify and assess additional need for language access for LEP communities and will work with the programs, colleges or units to create an individualized plan.

Distribution of Plan and Training

The University will provide notice to its employees of the language access resources set forth in this Plan. Such notice will be communicated regularly to employees and will be prominently posted on MSU’s Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance website.

Providing Notice to LEP Persons

The University will prominently post this Plan for individuals with LEP on multiple publicly available University webpages.

Physical signs may also be placed in locations where members of the public regularly interact, in languages that individuals with LEP may understand.

An individual with LEP seeking to file a complaint of discrimination with the University based on national origin or other protected status should file a report with the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance's Investigation, Support, and Resolution Department or the Title VI Coordinator.

External resources:

Information about filing a complaint externally can be found at:

https://www.lep.gov/file-a-title-vi-complaint

Monitoring, Evaluating, and Updating the Plan

The University will monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the Plan on a regular basis. This process may include updating the Plan for new LEP populations or when a new resource to provide language services becomes available. Any update to the Plan will be posted in a timely manner on the University’s publicly available website.

Effective Date: November 27, 2023