1. Diversity Policy Comparison by Team C
Dee Algeré, Kristy Cotton, Ginny Heenan, Dickran Parunak, Christine Zodrow
AET/525
November 12, 2012
Professor Lisa Marie Portugal

2. What is a “Diversity Policy”?
Diversity policies are those rules and regulations implemented by companies and organizations to enforce non-discrimination. Diversity plans and rules are designed to counter microsocial discrimination processes through specific policies. (Geert, 2009)

3. Company Policies from Team C
Apollo Group
Google
Newport News Public Schools
Vatterott
Verizon Communications Inc.
These are the companies that Team C examined to compare the different diversity policies that each company holds or offers

4. Apollo Group Diversity Policy
Mutual Respect
Accept responsibility
Accountability
Self-reliance
Preparedness
Professional Behavior
Create positive learning environment
Communication
Professionalism
Inclusion
Respect
Discrimination
Stereotyping
Prejudice
Retaliation
Prohibited
Behaviors
Diversity
Approaches
Student Code of Conduct
Faculty Code of Conduct
Apollo Group Diversity Mission Statement: Apollo Group, Inc. recognizes and embraces the diversity of its students, staff, and faculty and, in recognition of this diversity, strives to maintain a united environment embodying principles of mutual respect and acceptance for everyone.  It is within this environment that Apollo and its stakeholders will achieve success. (Apollo Intranet, 2012)

5. Google Diversity Policy
Culture
Google celebrates the breadth of cultures represented by their workforce. Many celebrations are part of the annual calendar
Awards
Google has been recognized as one of the best places to work and received awards outlining their special attention to a diverse culture and workforce.
Benefits
Day Care
Mother's Rooms
Maternity Leave
Domestic Partnership
Accommodation Policies
Transgender support
Equal
Opportunity
Non- discrimination based on race, color, religion, veteran status, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, sexual orientation
Diversity at Google: Employment at Google is based solely upon individual merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. We strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination or harassment of any kind, including discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, veteran status, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy status, sex, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, sexual orientation or any other characteristics protected by law. We also make all reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under laws protecting the rights of the disabled. (Google.com, 2012)

6. Newport News Public School Board
NNSB Diversity
Racial & Ethnic Equality
Cultural Acceptance
Disability Provisions
Socio-Economic Acceptance
NNSB Diversity Policy: The Newport News School Board, Superintendent and employees are committed to creating an educational environment where not only are diverse people recruited into the school division, but also where both the school management and employees work together positively to develop mutually beneficial relationships that respect each person’s individuality. Diversity will be acknowledged and utilized to improve the culture of the school division. Diversity education will be incorporated into all areas of school division life through activities that foster a thorough understanding of diverse racial, cultural, socio-economic, disability and ethnic groups. (NNSB, 2012)

7. Diversity Policy at Vatterott
To embrace the vast differences in all people
To attract employees who reflect the communities we serve
To foster teamwork among a diverse workforce by treating each other with dignity
To meet the needs of a changing multicultural workforce
Diversity Policy at Vatterott
Where employees are able to accept and appreciate differences and feel free to talk about their relationships and lives
Where the families of all employees are viewed and treated as important and valuable parts of an employees life
Where no one is ashamed of his or her orientation
That does not provoke stress or anxiety about being a different generation,race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc.
Goal--to create an environment where:

8. Verizon Diversity Policy
Employees
Non-discriminatory, EEO
Culture of inclusion and acceptance
Customers
Non-discriminatory (race, age, gender, disabled)
Inclusionary
Products & Services
Universal Design Principles
Accessibility
Verizon Diversity Mission Statement: At Verizon, we foster an environment that thrives on different perspectives. Here, you'll be surrounded by people whose work has been recognized for making sure that our differences are our source of strength. Our commitment to your development will inspire you to take your career wherever you want it to go. It's a commitment that extends into everything we do, including our Universal Design Principles. From youth to seniors to individuals with disabilities, we continually look for ways we can accommodate a broad range of customers to enhance the accessibility of new products and services. (Verizon.com, 2012)

9. Similarities Apollo Group Google Newport News Vatterott Verizon
Employers
Benefits or Protections
Apollo Group
Google
Newport News
Vatterott
Verizon
Non-discriminatory policies in place for all for race, sex, age, and gender
Respect and acceptance included in all the policies
Equal Opportunity Employment statements
All the employers shared similar benefits or protections for rage, sex, age and gender. They also included statements around respect and acceptance for all cultures and different norms. All of them also made statements around being equal opportunity employers. The schools were similar (Apollo, Newport & Vatterott) included statements around faculty and students in their diversity policies, whereas Google and Verizon looked at their customers and products as being culturally sensitive, or at least they attempted to have an awareness around needing to be culturally sensitive in their products and services.

10. Differences Schools Companies
Schools or educational institutions differentiated faculty and student expectations at NNSB and Apollo Group and Vatterott, while the companies treated the their employees as a whole in terms of policies
Corporations such as Google and Verizon had additional diversity requirements in their policies to cover products and services, most notably accessibility and universal access for customers

11. Conclusion
Company and organization diversity policies can vary greatly, but the focus on non-discriminatory practices and procedures.
Schools and universities have similar policies and tend to cover the different roles encountered at the schools such as students and faculty whereas companies tend to focus on “employees” as a whole and don’t differentiate between the various roles
However, companies do differentiate where they have customers. Customers are treated as their own group against which non-discriminatory practices are recommended.

12. References
 Apollo Corporate University and Office of Diversity. (n.d.). Apollo Group diversity [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from 
Diversity at the Top. (2012). Retrieved from
Geert, D. (2009). Non-discrimination in human resources management as a moral obligation. Journal of Business Ethics. 88 (1).
Google (2012). Retrieved from:

13. References
University of Phoenix. ( ). Student rights and responsibilities. Retrieved from Vatterott College. (2012). Vatterott Nation. Retrieved from