Limited English Proficiency

LEP Plan

This University of Wyoming Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan (Plan) was prepared in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S. C. 2000d, et seq. and its implementing regulations (Title VI), which state in relevant part that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the basis of national origin. Executive Order 13166, titled Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency, indicates that differing treatment based upon a person’s inability to speak, read, write or understand English is a type of national origin discrimination (Executive Order).

In accordance with Title VI and the Executive Order, UW considers discrimination on the basis of an individual’s limited English proficiency (LEP) to be a form of national origin discrimination protected from discrimination and harassment under UW Discrimination and Harassment Policy.

To assist in meeting its legal and policy obligations, UW developed this Plan to help ensure that LEP qualified participants have meaningful access and equal opportunity to participate in UW programs, activities and services (PAS).

As institution of higher education, UW has admission eligibility standards for undergraduate and graduate student degree programs for which English proficiency is generally required and, with the exception of foreign language courses, UW courses are generally taught in English. Further, English proficiency may be an essential function of employment positions if it is job-related and consistent with business necessity.

The focus of this Plan is on the most critical areas with which a qualified LEP participant may come into contact with UW’s PAS. This Plan defines key terms, discusses UWs four factor assessment, provides a plan for providing language assistance to LEP participants in UW PAS, including notice for LEP persons, and training for UW employees. This Plan applies to students, employees, and members of the public, including, but not limited to, parents.

 

Limited English Proficiency Plan

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Four Factor Assessment

UW identified the following as critical areas of UW’s organization that have the most potential to have encounters with LEP persons:

• • University of Wyoming Police Department
  • Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Student Affairs, including Health and Wellness Services
  • Student services, advising, financial aid, etc
  • Parking and Transportation
  • Enrollment Management
  • Continuing Education

To prepare this Plan, administrators with oversight of the above critical areas assessed the following factors based on historical experience for the PAS:

1. Approximate number and proportion of LEP persons in contact annually;

2. Frequency of contact with LEP persons and the primary language(s) spoken;

3. Nature and importance of each PAS in providing access for LEP persons; and

4. Resources currently being used to provide language assistance to LEP persons.

The goal of the assessment was to identify UW’s most common and important points of contact and encounters with LEP persons.

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Plan Distribution and Training

UW will post and maintain this Plan on ODEI’s website. ODEI will make training available to UW employees, particularly those who interact more regularly with members of the public in critical area PAS, that includes the following topics:

 

• • Information about UW’s Discrimination and Harassment Policy and responsibility to provide meaningful access to LEP persons.
  • Awareness of language assistance services for qualified LEP persons.
  • How to report a Title VI/LEP complaint.

Monitoring, Assessing, and Updating the Plan

UW will periodically review this Plan and inquire with administrators on their experience with contacts with LEP persons. This Plan will be updated when it is clear that higher concentrations of LEP persons are present in UW service area. UW’s review and updates will consider the following: 

 

• • The number of LEP person contacts encountered annually.
  • How the needs of LEP persons have been addressed.
  • The current LEP population in the service area.
  • Whether the need for language assistance has changed.
  • Whether language assistance has been effective and sufficient to meet needs.
  • Whether financial resources are sufficient to fund language assistance needs.
  • Whether UW is complying with the goals of this Plan.
  • Whether complaints have been received and are being adequately resolved.

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