TO: Members of the Campus Community
FROM: Susan A. Cole
DATE: January 12, 2001
RE: University Statement on Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Tolerance.
Montclair State University has a moral commitment to Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action and to the creation of a campus environment that encourages tolerance, civility, and respect for one another. To this end, it is important for all of us to be knowledgeable about the University's policies on human relations and to continue our efforts to make significant progress in building an increasingly diverse community.
To assure that every member of our campus community becomes familiar with our institutional policies in this regard, I am sharing our University Statement on Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Tolerance. Please read it carefully and incorporate it into your daily life at Montclair State so that we may work and learn together in a spirit of appreciation and mutual respect.
A. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
1. FOR EMPLOYEES
Montclair State is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity
and does not discriminate in its recruitment and employment practices on
the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, gender,
age, disabling condition, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation,
or 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 laws and regulations.
2. FOR STUDENTS
Montclair State is committed to the principle of equal access to campus
benefits and services (including, but not limited to admissions, residence
life, financial aid, athletics, course offerings, scholarships, student
employment, social and recreational programs) without regard to race,
color, religion, national origin or ancestry, gender, age, disabilities
not interfering with academic performance, marital status, affectional
or sexual orientation, or other non academic-related criteria.
B. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
1. FOR EMPLOYEES
Montclair State is committed to the principle of affirmative action as
a means to attain diversity by overcoming the residual effects of systemic
discrimination. The University will take affirmative action to encourage
minorities, females and persons with disabilities to apply for positions
at all job levels. Employment practices will be reviewed periodically
to determine whether the protected classes (Blacks, Hispanics, Native
Americans, Asians/Pacific Islanders, women, and persons with disabilities)
are being afforded fair and equal consideration for faculty, administrative,
professional and support positions, as well as for promotion, tenure,
and other terms and conditions of employment. This includes the establishment
of appropriate affirmative action hiring goals.
2. FOR STUDENTS
Montclair State is committed to the principle of equal opportunity and
affirmative action by providing equal access to enrollment for underrepresented
minority and economically-deprived students.
C. TOLERANCE TO CREATE A CLIMATE FOR
CIVILITY AND HUMAN DIGNITY
Montclair State University is committed to the principle that it is everyone's
responsibility to foster an atmosphere of respect, tolerance, understanding
and good will among all members of our diverse campus community. As an
ever-growing pluralistic society, it is fundamental to our institutional
mission to create an unbiased community and to oppose vigorously any form
of racism, religious intolerance, sexism, ageism, homophobia, harassment,
and discrimination against those with disabling conditions. Furthermore,
the university eschews hate of any kind and will not tolerate behavior
that violates the civil and statutory rights of an individual or group.
Within this framework, each of us can feel free to express ourselves in
ways that promote openness within a pluralistic and multicultural society.
D. ACCOUNTABILITY
All Montclair State University employees and students have a responsibility
for carrying out the principles of this statement. Each of us should be
mindful of the way we treat one another and should demonstrate respect
and tolerance for the differences among us. Furthermore, all persons in
positions of responsibility and authority will be held strictly accountable
for promoting the highest degree of fairness and equity in order to assure
the full and complete implementation of this statement.
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