I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm the College’s commitment to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and diversity programs and ideals. We continue to strive to achieve educational and social equity through campus-wide initiatives and programs that advance a core principle of CSI’s Mission, to “embrace the strength of our diversity, foster civic-mindedness, and nurture responsible citizens for our city, country, and the world.”
This year is momentous for the College as we welcome student residents for the first time in its history. This juncture for our community provides us with perfect timing to continue to strengthen our inclusivity efforts throughout the campus. Two upcoming initiatives in that regard during the academic year include the implementation of a Faculty Diversity Strategic Plan and planning for a campus-wide diversity climate survey.
It is the policy of The City University of New York and the College of Staten Island to recruit, employ, retain, promote, and provide benefits to employees, and to admit and provide services for students without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, legally registered domestic partnership status, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, alienage, citizenship, military or veteran status, or status as a victim of domestic violence. Sexual harassment, a form of sex discrimination, is also prohibited. Most recently, unemployment status was added as a protected category.
The City University of New York, as a public university system, adheres to federal, state, and city laws and regulations regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action including among others Section 1324b of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), Executive Order 11246, as amended; Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended; Section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended; the Equal Pay Act of 1963; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended; and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the New York State Human Rights Law, and the New York City Human Rights Law. The “protected classes,” as delineated in Executive Order 11246: (i.e., Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaskan Native and Women), were expanded on December 9, 1976 by the Chancellor of The City University of New York to include Italian Americans. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget further expanded these protected classes in 2006 to include two or more races (not Hispanic or Latino) and replaced Asian/Pacific Islander with Asian (not Hispanic or Latino) and Native Hawaiian (not Hispanic or Latino), Black was renamed as Black or African American (not Hispanic or Latino), and Hispanic was renamed Hispanic or Latino.
I have assigned the responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of our compliance program to the Chief Diversity Officer, Danielle Dimitrov, Director of the Office of Diversity and Compliance, who will also serve as the 504/ADA Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator. The vice presidents, deans, directors, managers, and supervisors share responsibility for ensuring our compliance with these policies and laws. The Office of Diversity and Compliance is located in Building 1A, Room 103. You may also contact the office by phone at 718.982.2250 or email: danielle.dimitrov@csi.cuny.edu.
I encourage you to continue to advance our Mission with your dedicated support of CSI’s many diversity-related events and programs throughout the school year.
