No person shall be denied matriculation at any system institution or a position as a governor, trustee, faculty member, or employe of the system, or the opportunity to contract with the system or its constituent institutions because of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, handicap or political affiliation. The board shall develop and promulgate by regulation a plan assuring equal opportunity in educational access, employment and contracting. The plan shall provide for nondiscrimination and compliance with respect to contracting practices for the system, its constituent institutions and their contractors, subcontractors, assignees, lessees, agents, vendors and suppliers.