Definitions: Protected Groups

Protected Groups Drexel University’s Affirmative Action Program targets the following groups defined by the Equal Opportunity Commission:

• Hispanic or Latino
• Black or African American
• Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
• Asian
• American Indian or Alaska Native
• Two or More Races
• Disabled Person
• Special Disabled Veteran
• Vietnam Era Veteran
• Other Protected Veteran
• Recently Separated Veteran

Definitions:

Hispanic or Latino - A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race.

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Black or African American (Not Hispanic or Latino) - A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.

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Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (Not Hispanic or Latino) - A person having origins in any of the peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands.

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Asian (Not Hispanic or Latino) - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian Subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.

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American Indian or Alaska Native (Not Hispanic or Latino) - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America), and who maintain tribal affiliation or community attachment.

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Two or More Races (Not Hispanic or Latino) - All persons who identify with more than one of the above five races.

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Disabled Person - Any person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of his or her major life activities, has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment. (Major life activities are defined as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.)

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Special Disabled Veteran - A person entitled to disability compensation under laws administered by the Veteran’s Administration for disability rated at 30 percent or more, or a person whose discharge or release from active duty was for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.

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Vietnam-Era Veteran - A person who served on active duty for a period of more than 180 days, any part of which occurred between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975, and was discharged or released therefrom with other than a dishonorable discharge, or who was discharged or released from active duty for a service-connected disability if any part of such active duty was performed between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975, and who was so discharged or released within 48 months preceding an alleged violation of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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Other Protected Veteran - A person who served in the military during a war or who served in a campaign or on an expedition for which a campaign badge, a service medal, or an expeditionary medal was awarded.

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Recently Separated Veteran - Any veteran during the one-year period beginning on the date of such veteran’s discharge or release from active duty.

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