2017-2018 Graduate Catalog

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Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action and Anti-Discrimination Complaint Procedures for Students

Kean University is committed to establishing and maintaining a diverse campus community. Equal opportunity and diversity represent principles, which are integrally woven into the University’s mission. The University is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment and education, as well as equity of conditions for employment and education, to all employees, students and applicants without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex/gender (including pregnancy), marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, familial status, religion, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, or disability. Sexual harassment is a form of unlawful gender discrimination and likewise, will not be tolerated.

The University follows the New Jersey State Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in the Workplace (Policy).

Any student or employee who believes that he or she has been been subjected to prohibited harassment and/or discrimination should contact Dr. Charlie Williams, Director, Office of Affirmative Action Programs and Title IX Coordinator, Townsend Hall, Room 133, (908) 737-3330.

Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities.

Sexual harassment in any form will not be tolerated at Kean University.

Sexual harassment by students should be reported to the Office of Affirmative Action Programs, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs or the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct immediately.

Information about the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy may be found at the following: http://www.kean.edu/policies/sexual-misconduct-policy.

Anti-Discrimination Complaint Procedures for Students

I. Depending on the complaint, violations of the policy prohibiting discrimination and sexual harassment may be adjudicated through the Kean University student conduct process.

II. Internal Complaint Process

A. Reporting

  1. All discrimination complaints must be reported to the Affirmative Action Officer. Anyone who believes that they have been subjected to discrimination, including sexual harassment, is encouraged to report the matter promptly. Early resolution of complaints can benefit the complainant, the respondent, and the University as a whole. Late reporting may impede a satisfactory resolution or hamper a proper investigation.
  2. Any individual (except one who has a legally protected privilege) who has knowledge of conduct involving harassment or who receives a complaint of harassment should immediately inform the Affirmative Action Officer. Such information will commence these procedures.
  3. Complaints will be handled with sensitivity throughout the process. Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent possible.
  4. Reporting a complaint to the Affirmative Action Officer does not preclude a student from filing a complaint with outside agencies.

B. Resolution Process

  1. Intervention
    1. At the discretion of the Affirmative Action Officer, the initial effort of the internal procedure may involve an informal resolution. The complainant may, at any time, proceed with a formal written complaint.
    2. All parties have the right to be accompanied by an advisor of their choice at every stage of the internal process. An adviser’s role is to support and advise the complainant or respondent. Any further participation in the process is at the discretion of the Affirmative Action Officer.
    3. Actions taken by the Affirmative Action Officer to informally resolve a complaint may include, but are not limited to:
      - listening to the complainant to determine desired action;
      - advising the parties about the University’s discrimination policy and
      procedures;
      - having the complainant meet with the respondent and the Affirmative Action
      Officer to discuss the complaint; and
      - meeting with administrators or other appropriate individuals to resolve the
      matter.
  2. Investigation
    1. At the discretion of the Affirmative Action Officer, a formal complaint investigation may be initiated. 
    2. The Affirmative Action Officer will contact the respondent and the respondent
      will be given the opportunity to respond to the complaint.
    3. The Affirmative Action Officer will conduct a prompt investigation and
      submit an investigative report to the President. The President will issue a
      final determination letter on the complaint to the complainant and respondent.

III. External Agencies

Students can file a complaint directly with external agencies that investigate discrimination/harassment charges in addition to utilizing this internal procedure. The time frames for filing complaints with external agencies indicated below are provided for informational purposes only. An individual should contact the specific agency to obtain exact time frames for filing a complaint.

Federal:
Office for Civil Rights, New York Office
United States Department of Education
32 Old Slip, 26th Floor
New York, NY 10005-2500
Telephone: 646-428-3800
Fax: 646-428-3843
E-mail: OCR.NewYork@ed.gov
TTD: (877) 521-2172

Division on Civil Rights, N. J. Department of Law & Public Safety
(Filing period - 180 days)

Northern Regional Office
31 Clinton Street
3rd Floor
Newark, NJ 07102
973-648-2700
TTY: 973-648-4678

Central Regional Office
140 East Front Street, 6th Floor
Trenton, NJ 08625
609-292-4605
TTY: 609-292-1785

Southern Regional Office
5 Executive Campus, Suite 107
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
856-486-4080
TTY: 973-648-4678

South Shore Regional Office
1325 Boardwalk, 1st Floor
Tennessee Ave and Boardwalk
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
609-441-3100
TTY: 609-441-7648

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