Administered by: The Office of Affirmative Action and Human Resources Development
Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy Compliance Statement from the President
It is the policy of Hudson Valley Community College not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment or admission to the college as a student on the basis of their race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, protected Veteran Status, sexual orientation and gender identity, genetic information, if they are victims of domestic violence or stalking, familial status, and all other categories covered by law. This policy shall apply to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, upgrading, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, recall, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation and selection for training at all levels of employment. Hudson Valley Community College will not discharge or discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their own compensation or the compensation of another employee or applicant.
The College is very committed to EEO and Affirmative Action in all aspects of its business and will utilize affirmative action to make employment decisions so as to further the principle of equal employment opportunity. Personnel decisions are based only on valid job requirements, and we will make all reasonable accommodations necessary to employ and advance in employment qualified persons with disabilities, newly separated veterans, covered veterans, and disabled veterans.
Employees of and applicants to Hudson Valley Community College and the Educational Opportunity Center will not be subject to harassment, intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination because they have engaged or may engage in filing a complaint, assisting in a review, investigation or hearing or have otherwise sought to obtain their legal rights related to any Federal, State, or local law regarding EEO for qualified individuals with disabilities or qualified protected veterans.
As the President of Hudson Valley Community College, I wish to add my personal note of commitment to assuring that our College carries out our Equal Employment Opportunity policy and fulfills the obligations of our Affirmative Action Plan. I expect the commitment of all employees in attaining and maintaining our goals for a workplace free of discrimination. Equal employment and educational opportunities are not accomplished at the expense of any group or individual, but rather is good business practice and it contributes to an organization enriched by diversity and excellence.
If you would like to review the Affirmative Action Plan for Individuals with Disabilites or covered Veterans, or feel you have been harassed or discriminated against, please contact the Affirmative Action Officer during normal business hours in the Administration Building, room 130 or by telephone, 518–629–8110.
Hudson Valley Community College is determined to be in full compliance with the provisions of the Law and of the Affirmative Action Program.
Dr. Andrew J. Matonak
President, Hudson Valley Community College
Introduction
Hudson Valley Community College has established an Equal Employment Opportunity Policy and a Sexual Discrimination Harassment Policy that is consistent with Federal and State anti-discrimination legislation. The policies which are set forth below represent the College’s ongoing commitment to providing an environment in both education and employment that is free from such unlawful discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, marital status or any other protected class. In order to equitably and uniformly enforce these policies, the College must seek to balance the interests of those individuals or groups of individuals allegedly victimized by unlawful discrimination or harassment with the due process rights of the accused. To this end, the College has established a complaint procedure for the review of allegations of unlawful discrimination and harassment. It is the goal of the College that these procedures serve as a mechanism through which the College may fairly and equitably identify, respond to and/or prevent incidents of unlawful discrimination and harassment on its campus and permit, if possible, the resolution of alleged acts of unlawful discrimination or harassment without resorting to the often expensive and time-consuming procedures of State and Federal enforcement agencies or courts.
The procedures set forth below are applicable to employees of the College whom are accused of harassment, discrimination or other illegal activity motivated by race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other protected class or individuals whom are members of our college community. The procedures set forth in the Campus Judicial System are applicable to students whom are accused of any bias related activities or harassment or violence against women or any other protected class. Policies, rights and services for student victims of sexual harassment or other forms of violence can also be found in the SaVE Provision section of the catalog. Employee grievance procedures established through negotiated contracts, academic grievance review committees, and any other procedures defined by contract shall continue to operate as before. It is important that neither the student nor the employee complainant is required to pursue resolution of their complaints through the College’s internal procedure. Rather a Complainant may, at his or her discretion, file a complaint with a court of competent jurisdiction or with an outside enforcement agency, such as the New York State Division of Human Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Office for Civil Rights of the United States Department of Education or the Office of Federal Contract Compliance of the United States Department of Labor.
The Affirmative Action Officer (hereinafter referred to as “AAO”) shall investigate all complaints of discrimination and/or harassment when the allegation includes an employee of the college. The Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Development (hereafter VP for EM&SD) shall investigate all complaints or discrimination and/or harassment when the alleged offender is a student in keeping with the Judicial System and Campus Regulations portions of the HVCC Catalog.
In cases where the accused offender is employed by the college and is not a student, the AAO shall assist the Complainant in the use of the complaint form defining the charge(s) and AAO shall provide the Complainant with information about the various options the Complainant has in terms of where a complaint may be filed. While the AAO will provide, to the best of his/ her knowledge, information concerning the processes relevant to outside agencies or courts, AAO is not an attorney at law and can provide no advice as to a Complainant’s procedural or substantive rights with regards to agencies or courts, including deadlines for filing.
The Affirmative Action Officer is responsible for monitoring the affirmative action plan and reporting periodically to the President. The Officer should be contacted in the event a Hudson Valley employee, prospective applicant, or student perceives that he or she has not been treated in accord with the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy of the College by an employee of the College.
Sexual Harassment Policy
Sexual harassment is a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Hudson Valley Community College is committed to providing an environment that is non-discriminatory, humane and respectful—one that supports and rewards employees and students on the basis of relevant considerations like merit, effort, competence, qualifications and business/academic necessity, and deters inappropriate conduct that occurs in the College’s activities or operations.
Sexual harassment is unacceptable and in conflict with the mission and interests of the College. Sexually harassing conduct between supervisors and staff members or between faculty and students unfairly exploits the power inherent in the supervisor or faculty’s role. Through salary increases, performances appraisals, academic advisement and academic evaluation, a supervisor or faculty member can have a decisive influence on a staff member’s career or a student’s academic development. Sexual harassment in this context exhibits a lack of decency and integrity, and is considered an abuse of power.
While sexual harassment typically occurs in situations where positions of power differentials exist between individuals, this policy also recognizes that sexual harassment can occur between individuals where no such power differential exists, such as in faculty-faculty interactions.
Either men or women can be sexual harassers and either men or women can be the victims of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment can also occur between members of the same sex. Employees and students of either gender may make a claim of sexual harassment under this policy.
The College will not tolerate sexual harassment. The College will act promptly and equitably, within the framework of due process, to investigate alleged sexual harassment and to affect a remedy when such allegations are determined valid. Further, this Sexual Harassment Policy and the complaint procedures provided herein, shall be distributed campus-wide and internal training sessions may be made available to employees and students pertaining to sexual harassment.
Recognizing Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment takes many forms, ranging from sexual innuendoes made in the context of humor to physical assault. The key to determining whether conduct constitutes sexual harassment is determining whether the behavior is unwelcomed and/or unreasonably interferes with an employee or student’s performance or creates a hostile, intimidating or offensive environment. Examples may include:
- Verbal: Sexual innuendo, suggestive comments, sexual propositions, etc.
- Non-Verbal: obscene gestures, suggestive or degrading sounds, etc.
- Physical: Unwanted contact, such as groping, pinching, grabbing, etc.
- Visual: Pin-up calendars, sexually suggestive or explicit cartoons, pictures, objects, etc.
- Threatening: Demands for sexual favors, stalking, rape, etc.
Who You Can Go To For Help
To file a complaint of discrimination or harassment against an employee of HVCC, please contact:
Affirmative Action Officer
Administration Building, Room 140
(518) 629-8110
j.ogden@hvcc.edu
If you wish to file a complaint of discrimination or harassment against a student at HVCC, please refer to the Judicial System section of the Catalog and contact either:
Public Safety
Campus Center, Room 100
(518) 629–7210
or
Vice President for Enrollment Management and
Student Development
Room 159
Guenther Enrollment Services Center
(518) 629–7307
For a list of further resources for student victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking please refer to the SaVE and VAWA Provisions of the Catalog.
Title IX Compliance Statement
Title IX (Department of Education Amendment 1972) prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance, such as a Federal grant or loan. It encourages recipients to take affirmative action to overcome effects of conditions, which may have resulted in exclusion of women from participation in specific education programs or activities. Title IX applies to student admissions and student affairs policy and the employment of staff in connection with the recipient’s education programs/activities. It mandates the designation of a responsible employee to coordinate compliance with its provision, as well as the establishment of a complaint procedure to resolve student and employee complaints alleging unlawful discrimination.
It is the policy of the Board of Trustees of Hudson Valley Community College to ensure that persons associated with the College receives the fair and equal treatment prescribed within the tenets of equal opportunity. All decisions are made and will continue to be made on the job-related, objective bases of merit, competence, qualifications and business or academic necessity. Hudson Valley Community College does not discriminate with regard to race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or marital status or any other category protected by statute or regulation.
The College prohibits discrimination in all programs, policies, standards and activities, maintains an established complaint procedure and assigns compliance responsibility to the AAO.
Equal Employment/Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures
COVERAGE: Employees, students, and prospective applicants of the College may use these procedures if they believe that they have been the victims of any unlawful discrimination or harassment at the College by an employee of the College.
PURPOSE: The complaint procedure is provided for the review of complaints alleging unlawful discrimination or harassment in any Hudson Valley Community College policy or program when the alleged unlawful discrimination or Harassment is perceived to be based on the complainant’s race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or marital status or any category protected by civil statute or regulation.
Definitions:
Affirmative Action/Sexual Harassment Advisory Council – Representatives of all levels of the College who advise the President and the Affirmative Action Officer on matters relating to Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Diversity. They are appointed by the President.
Complainant - An employee, applicant for employment, or student of the College or student applicant who believes that he or she has been the victim of unlawful discrimination or harassment by a faculty member, staff member or employee of the college and submits a complaint.
Discriminatory Harassment - Discriminatory harassment is based on race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or marital status or other protected characteristics, which is oral, written, graphic or physical conduct. The actions must be sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent so as to interfere with or limit the ability of an individual to participate in or benefit from the College’s programs or activities. Such activities include actions that derogate or humiliate a person or group because of actual or supposed traits. Examples include, but are not limited to, ethnic or racial slurs or jokes, which have the purpose or effect of creating an offensive environment.
Sexual Harassment - Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1964), sexual harassment is cited as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when (1) Submission to such conduct is made explicitly an employment term or condition [or a condition on which one’s academic standing is predicated]; or (2) Submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as a basis for employment [or academic] decisions; or (3) Such conduct has the purpose or the effect of unreasonably interfering with one’s [academic or] work performance, or creating an offensive, intimidating or hostile [academic or] work environment.
Respondent - An employee of the school or an entity that answers a complaint alleging unlawful discrimination or harassment or the person(s) accused of alleged unlawful discrimination or harassment.
Unlawful Discrimination - consists of:
- harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran or marital status or any other protected class under State or Federal Law;
- employment decisions based on stereotypes or assumptions about the abilities, traits, or performance of individuals of a certain race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran or marital status or any other protected class under State or Federal Law; or
- retaliation against an individual for filing a charge of discrimination, participating in an investigation, or opposing discriminatory practices.
Applicability
This complaint procedure does not supplant nor duplicate any existing complaint procedure. It does not deprive the complainant the right to file with outside government agencies, such as the New York State Division of Human Rights (DHR); U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); U.S. Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (OCR); the Office of Federal Contract Compliance (OFCCP) of the United States Department of Labor (DOL); or with a court of competent jurisdiction.
The procedure may be used even if a complaint based on the same facts and circumstances is filed with a State or Federal agency or with a court of competent jurisdiction, or if a complaint has been filed under any collective bargaining agreement. Any investigation underway will continue regardless of whether a complaint is filed with a state or federal agency or a collective bargaining representative, or a court action is initiated on the same complaint. It is the responsibility of the complainant to be aware of any filing deadlines for any outside agency or court even in the event he/she initially chooses to attempt to resolve the complaint through the College’s internal procedures.
Right to Counsel
Both the complainant and the respondent shall have the right to be assisted by an attorney at all stages of both the informal and formal stages of the College’s internal complaint process.
Confidentiality
Unlawful discrimination or harassment complaints will be handled as confidentially as possible while enabling the College to fully investigate the complaint. Information about the complaint will only be divulged to individuals who have a legitimate need to know. All records pertaining to complaints shall be kept and maintained by the AAO.
Sanctions
Persons who are found to have engaged in unlawful discrimination and/or harassment may be subject to sanctions that are reasonably calculated to end the unlawful discrimination and prevent its reoccurrence. Sanctions that may be imposed include, but are not limited to: written warnings, letter of reprimands, suspensions, change of job or class assignments or termination.
Retaliation
Reprisal actions and encouraging others to retaliate against anyone involved in the investigation of an unlawful discrimination or harassment complaint is prohibited. This includes anyone who reports, is thought to have reported or cooperates in the investigation process. The College considers retaliation to be a violation of College policy and may be subject to sanctions as provided herein.
False Charges of Discrimination
Filing a false charge of unlawful discrimination or harassment is a serious offense. If an investigation reveals that a complainant knowingly filed false charges, appropriate actions and sanctions as provided herein may be taken.
Where to File A Complaint of Discrimination
To file a complaint of discrimination or harassment against an employee of HVCC, please contact:
Affirmative Action Officer
Room 140
Administration Building
(518) 629-8110
j.ogden@hvcc.edu
Additional Resources
For personal counseling:
Wellness Center
Campus Center, Room 260
(518) 629-7320
For medical services:
College Health Services
Siek Campus Center, Suite 270
(518) 629-7468
For escort service:
Public Safety/Security
Campus Center, Room 170
(518) 629-7210
Procedure for Filing A Complaint of Discrimination
PART A: Investigation
- The AAO shall receive initial inquiries, reports and requests for consultation and counseling. Assistance will be available whether or not a written complaint is contemplated. It is the responsibility of the AAO to respond to all such inquiries, reports and requests as promptly as possible and consider all such facts in an objective manner and in a manner appropriate to the particular circumstances.
Note: It is the responsibility of the complainant to be certain that any complaint filed is filed within the 120 calendar days that is applicable under this paragraph.
- Complaints or concerns that are reported to an administrator, manager or supervisor concerning an act of discrimination or harassment shall be immediately referred to the AAO for investigation and resolution by that administrator, manager, or supervisor.
A written complaint must be filed with the AAO within 120 calendar days following the last act or occurrence of an alleged unlawful discriminatory act or act of harassment. All such complaints must be submitted on the forms provided by the AAO.
If the AAO is the respondent in a complaint of discrimination, the President of the College shall designate a person to investigate and attempt to resolve the complaint. That person shall carry out the duties and responsibilities of the AAO in that specific complaint.
- The complaint shall contain:
- The name, local and permanent address(es), and telephone number(s) of the Complainant. (In appropriate cases, this information may be redacted from complaints before they are forwarded to the respondent.)
- A statement of facts explaining what happened and what the complainant believes constituted the unlawful discriminatory act(s) in sufficient detail to give each respondent reasonable notice of what is claimed against him/her. The statement should include the date(s), approximate time(s) and place(s) where the alleged act(s) of unlawful discrimination or harassment occurred. If the act(s) occurred on more than one date, the statement should also include the last date on which the acts occurred as well as detailed information about any prior acts. The names of any potential witnesses should be provided, if appropriate.
- The name(s), address(es) and telephone number(s) of the respondent(s), i.e., the person(s) claimed to have committed the act(s) of unlawful discrimination if known to the complainant.
- Identification of the status of the person(s) charged, whether faculty, staff, or employee.
- A statement indicating whether or not the complainant has filed or reported information concerning the incidents referred to in the complaint with a non-college official, court, or agency, under any other complaint or complaint procedure. If an external complaint has been filed, the statement should indicate the name of the court, person, department, or agency with which the information was filed and its address or to which it was reported.
- Such other or supplemental information as may be requested.
If the complainant brings a complaint beyond the period in which the complaint may be addressed under these procedures, the AAO may terminate any further processing of the complaint or extend the deadline for filing if good cause can be shown for the delay.
The AAO shall investigate the complaint and shall review all relevant information, interview pertinent witnesses, and bring together the complainant and the respondent, if desirable.
PART B: The Determination
- Upon conclusion of the investigation, the AAO makes a determination as to whether any state, federal or local laws, rules or regulations, or any collective bargaining agreement or any other contract or policy or procedure of HVCC was violated. If AAO determines such a violation occurred, (s)he will recommend an appropriate sanction to the Director of Human Resources.
- If the Director of Human Resources is in agreement the employee will be disciplined accordingly.
- Both the complainant and the respondent will receive written notification of the findings of AAO.
- This procedure does not supplant any procedures available to any employee under their collective bargaining agreement or contract or any other right or remedy any student or employee may have available to them under the law.
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