Commitment
The University at Albany (UAlbany) is committed to creating and maintaining a community in which all persons who participate in University programs and activities can come together to learn and work in an atmosphere free from all forms of harassment, exploitation, discrimination or intimidation, regardless of race, color, religion, marital status, age, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, national origin, status in regard to public assistance, and membership or activity in a local commission, as defined by law in any of its policies, procedures, or practices. It is the responsibility of the University to prevent discrimination and harassment and, if possible, correct it when it occurs and take appropriate disciplinary action, as necessary, against behavior that is a violation of the policy.
Definitions
Racism: Racism is a belief system of racial superiority based on unfounded assumptions about the inherent inferiority of other racial, ethnic, or cultural groups.
Racial discrimination is prohibited by state and federal law. Racial discrimination is defined as verbal or physical conduct that is directed at a person or group who are treated differently than others who are similarly situated because they are of a specific race. It can occur when individuals are treated differently because of immutable characteristics, e.g. physical features indigenous to their race. Racial discrimination can interfere with or limit the ability of the discriminated individual to participate in, or benefit from, the services, activities, or privileges provided by the system, colleges, or universities or can otherwise adversely affect the individual's employment or education. It can also exist in the form of institutional policies and practices that might not be so designed, yet impact people differently.
Example: Discrimination Professor Wiggins asks volunteers to assist him with a presentation about the English Department to K-12 students who visit the campus through summer camps. For the last three years, he has always denied Asian students who volunteer saying that their pronunciation patterns do not best represent the speaking of the English language.
Racial harassment is a form of racial discrimination that is prohibited by state and federal law. Racial harassment is defined as verbal or physical conduct that is directed at an individual or group because of their race, color, or national origin or that of their relatives, friends, or associates and that is sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent so as to have the purpose or effect of creating a hostile work or educational environment. Racial harassment may occur in a variety of relationships, including faculty and student, supervisor and employee, student and student, staff and student, employee and employee, and other relationships with other persons having business at or visiting UAlbany.
Example: Harassment Every time Ronald, an African American engineering student, submits a paper in chemical engineering to Professor Wilson, he is questioned by the professor about the types of books or resources used to support his proposed theories. Ronald notices he is the only student being asked for this information, and is the only African American student in the class.
Racial prejudice is the prejudgment of persons based on race. It includes attributes and actions which are largely the result of stereotypes, and which categorize individuals in negative or restrictive fashions. Manifestations of racial prejudice may range in severity from racist remarks to physical battery or assault. It can occur between or among any individuals in the university community including faculty, supervisors, coworkers, employees, and students.
Example: Prejudice Leann, a Latina business analyst in the Accounting Department, has been given a "writing business correspondence" primer as a resource by her supervisor, Clara Thurmond. Ms. Thurmond has not shared this primer with the rest of the analysts who are African American and Caucasian.
A Violation of Law and University Policy
Acts of racism create an environment contrary to the goals and mission of the University. The University at Albany will not tolerate such acts. These acts may also constitute criminal behavior within the society at large and also are acts that subject an individual to complaints and sanctions under the State University of New York's grievance procedures or UAlbany's student conduct code.
Under the University's 'Community Rights and Responsibilities,' students are expected to respect the rights and privileges of others. Violence and action, which endanger the safety of persons or university property, will result in disciplinary action. Racial discrimination/harassment is an impermissible behavior that has no place in a learning or work environment and shall not be tolerated.
This policy is directed at conduct that constitutes race discrimination under state and federal laws. Individuals' rights to free speech shall be considered in cases involving verbal statements or other forms of expression. Complaints of racial discrimination/ harassment maybe pursued through the University's complaint grievance process.
What you can do if you feel you are a victim of racial discrimination/harassment or if you observe acts of racial discrimination/harassment:
- Tell the person that his or her actions are personally offensive. While each individual must decide how to respond, confronting the individual can be very effective.
- Keep careful records. Document the facts in a journal or on a tape recorder. Record dates, times, places, witnesses (including their names and addresses), and the nature of the offense.
- Contact university people or community agencies that can help you. See elsewhere in this pamphlet for names and phone numbers. A friend, staff or faculty member may accompany you.
- Campus incidents may lead to complaints or grievances. Check with the Office of Diversity and Affirmative Action to review procedures.
- Students may wish to talk with a member of the counseling center staff, a residence hall director, an academic advisor, an R.A., faculty members, and supervisors.
For infromation on internal inquiries, informal and formal complaint procedures, contact:
Tamra Minor, Ph.D., Vice President and Director
Office of Diversity and Affirmative Action
University Hall, UNH-207
(518)-956-8110
Tminor@uamail.albany.edu
Geoffrey P. Gabriel, Personnel Associate
Office of Diversity and Affirmative Action
University Hall, UNH-207
(518)-956-8110
GGabriel@uamail.albany.edu
In addition to the internal complaint process, you may also file a complaint with these external organizations:
NY State Division of Human Rights
Empire State Plaza
P.O. Box 2049
Agency Building No. 2, 18th Floor
Albany, New York 12220
(518) 474-2705
http://www.nysdhr.com/offices.html
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
New York District Office
201 Varick Street, Room 1009
New York, NY 10014
(212) 741-8815
http://www.eeoc.gov/
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs
201 Varick Street, Room 750
New York, NY 10014
(646) 264-3170
http://www.dol.gov/esa/ofcp_org.htm
Office of Civil Rights
New York Office
U.S. Department of Education
75 Park Place, 14th Floor
New York, NY 10007-2146
(718) 488-3550
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OCR
Where To Go For Information
Persons at The University at Albany who have been the subject of racism or who have witnessed others being subjected to racism can contact any of the following University resources for assistance. These advocates can listen, answer your questions, and discuss your options.
Multicultural Student Affairs
Campus Center, CC-130
(518) 442-5566
International Student Services
Library, LI-84
(518) 442-5495
iss@uamail.albany.edu
Student Association
Contact for information on various multi cultural and ethnic student groups on campus
Campus Center, CC-116
(518) 442-5640
sa@albany.edu
Filing a Complaint
In addition to the above people, if you have been the subject of harassment or racist behavior and wish to file a complaint of discrimination, for student to student behavior, contact:
Clarence L. McNeill, Director
Office of Judicial Affairs
Campus Center, CC-358
(518) 442-5501
Cmcneill@Uamail.Albany.Edu
