The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all the stakeholders of the University, including students, faculty and staff, are protected from discriminatory treatment and harressment in its dealings with the University, and with each other. 

Scope

This is an institution-wide policy that has an impact on trustees, faculty, staff, and students, as well as external stakeholders such as vendors, guests, and other partners. 

Referenced Laws, Regulations, and/or Policies 

The University observes non-discrimination provisions in the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Although it is not an education institution that receives federal funds, it assures protections provided in the following clause. “No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” (Civil Rights Act of 1964 § 601, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq (1964)) .

Compliance/Policy Statement 

Anti-Discrimination 

The University does not and shall not discriminate individuals, whether they are students, teachers, or staff, on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. The University serves its beneficiaries—students by providing equal opportunities in recruitment, admissions, scholarship, stipends, or any learning support. The University is an equal opportunity employer. It will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination of any form in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment. 

Anti-Harassment 

The University does not tolerate any form of harassment. This includes verbal, written or physical conduct that shows aversion towards an individual on the basis of his/her race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by the law. 

Enforcement and Procedures 

The University’s academic and administrative departments shall adopt the anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policy, and ensure compliance in their operations that include but not limited to admissions, teaching, hiring and promotion. In addition, it is the collective responsibility of the University community to practice and enforce good behavior among its members with regard to this policy. The University shall ensure that there are impartial procedures in place to address discrimination and harassment claims. The Office of Admissions and Student Affairs shall develop and implement procedures to investigate and address discrimination and harassment cases that involve students, and the Office of Finance and Operations, for the academic staff, administrative staff and other stakeholders. 3 For cases that are not resolved at the department level, the University Management shall develop and adopt procedures to investigate and address discrimination and harassment claims. If a case requires authority beyond the University Management, the Board of Trustees must establish an ad hoc committee to investigate and address the case. In addition, individuals are also at liberty to press charges with appropriate law enforcement agencies, with or without pursuing the complaint process of the University first. Cases that involve physical violence and harm shall be reported to the authorities by the University Management. 

Confidentiality and privacy of records 

The University shall make earnest effort to protect the identities of the individuals and the incidents involved. However, due to the nature of investigations involved in the issue, complete anonymity cannot be guaranteed. The University shall endeavor to ensure that the claims of discrimination and/or harassment are handled in strict confidence and only revealed to those directly related to the case and the investigation. 

The records of the claims and subsequent action will be kept in line with the University’s data management and confidentiality policy. 

Review

The Board of Trustees is responsible for ensuring compliance with this policy in various offices of the University. 

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