Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action and Diversity

University Statement on Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Sexual Harassment

Montclair State University is committed to creating and fostering a working and learning environment that is welcoming to persons from all racial, ethnic, social and cultural backgrounds, and behavior that violates the civil and statutory rights of any individual or group or interferes with any individual or group's ability to benefit from, or contribute to, the opportunities provided by the University constitutes a violation of University policy and will not be tolerated. It is also fundamental to the University's mission to create a bias-free community by encouraging intercultural communication, free and open expression, and the exchange of ideas in ways that respect differences of view and embody intellectual integrity.

The University has directed significant resources to support this commitment and our mission as exemplified by the creation of the Office of Equity and Diversity in the Division of Student Development and Campus Life. This office was recently reorganized to include five full-time staff and expanded to include a new LGBT Center which opens on March 31st. The Center is one of only 150 nationwide and one of only three here in New Jersey and was created to support and provide a resource for LGBT students.

The University abides by all federal and state laws, executive orders, and regulations that prohibit discrimination in employment, education, and contracting services, and seeks to recruit and retain a student population and a workforce of high quality that are reflective of our diverse society.

All members of the Montclair State community are responsible and accountable for creating an environment that fosters inclusion and mutual respect and for personally exemplifying these principles in their daily interactions. Furthermore, managers, supervisors, faculty and other persons of authority have an especially high level of responsibility and accountability to assure that the principles of this statement are made manifest in the day-to-day life at the University.

Employment

Montclair State is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex/gender (including pregnancy), age, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital or familial status, civil union status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, domestic partnership status, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information, physical, mental or intellectual disabilities (not related to or interfering with job performance), liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, or any other non job-related criteria. Equal employment opportunity includes, but is not limited to recruitment, hiring, retention, tenure, promotion, transfer, compensation, fringe benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations.

The University is committed to employment efforts to correct areas of underrepresentation whenever necessary. Periodic assessments will be performed to determine (a) whether persons protected by statute/executive orders are being afforded fair and equal consideration for faculty, administrative, professional, and civil service positions, as well as for promotion, tenure, and other terms and conditions of employment, and (b) if there are any workplace barriers impeding these efforts.

Students

The University is committed to the principle of providing equal educational and enrollment opportunities to a diverse student population without regard to race, ethnicity, and socio-economic status. Furthermore, the University is committed to providing equal access to education programs and activities (including but not limited to admissions, residence life, financial aid, athletics, course offerings, scholarships, student employment, and social/recreational programs) without regard to race, creed, color, sex/gender, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital or familial status, civil union status, physical, mental or intellectual disabilities (not related to or interfering with academic performance), affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information, or any other non academic-related criteria.

Under the provisions of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (as amended), Barbara Milton, Director of Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action & Diversity, serves as the University's Title IX Coordinator and, in this capacity, she is responsible for addressing student complaints of discrimination and sexual harassment. Her office is located in College Hall, Room 316, and she can be reached at Extension 4349, or at miltonb@mail.montclair.edu. In addition, procedures for students filing internal complaints of sex discrimination/harassment can be found at the following website:

http://www.montclair.edu/divofpresident/harassment.html

Sexual Harassment

Montclair State is committed to having a working and learning environment that is free of discrimination and sexual harassment. The University considers discrimination and sexual harassment of employees or students as unprofessional and unacceptable behavior, and it will not be tolerated. To provide understanding on what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior, the University has an online training program on sexual harassment prevention that is accessible at

http://www.newmedialearning.com/psh/montclair/choice.htm

All faculty and staff are expected to complete this program and, upon so doing, a certificate of completion will be placed in the employee's file.

New Jersey State Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in the Workplace

As a state institution, the University must abide by the New Jersey State Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in the Workplace. The State Policy can be accessed at the following site: State Policy. Procedures for filing internal complaints alleging discrimination in the workplace can be accessed through the University's website at:

COMPLAINT PROCEDURES

Each employee is required to acknowledge receipt of the State Policy and Procedures either through an electronic confirmation or by printing and signing the attached Acknowledgement of Receipt form and forwarding it to Barbara J. Milton, Director of Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action and Diversity, College Hall, Room 316. The acknowledgment form will be placed on file in Human Resources.

In closing, I urge you to incorporate these values and principles into your daily life at Montclair State University so that we may all work and learn together in a spirit of appreciation and understanding for the similarities and differences among us. If you have any questions regarding the University Statement on Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action or the State Policy and Procedures, please feel free to contact Barbara Milton, Director of Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action and Diversity at miltonb@mail.montclair.edu or at Extension 4349.

Susan A. Cole
March 30, 2009