UAlbany’s Commitment to Inclusive Excellence
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on actual or perceived race, color, and national origin, including shared ancestry and ethnic characteristics in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.
UAlbany stands firmly against all forms of antisemitism, Islamophobia and discrimination, including retaliation. The safety of our students, faculty and staff is paramount, and an inclusive campus environment is essential to the University’s success as an institution of higher learning.
Each academic year, the Office of the Title VI Coordinator will notify all students and employees of the University’s Non-Discrimination Statement, including all reporting procedures and available resources.
Our Office’s Role at UAlbany
The Office of the Title VI Coordinator oversees the university’s response to all reports and complaints of Title VI Misconduct. While harassment may take many forms, it is important to know that even conduct that takes place outside of classrooms or even off-campus can negatively impact the work or academic environment. Harassing behavior can include:
- Targeting individuals on social media accounts
- Graffiti, messages on whiteboards, and other written expressions of hostility
- Mocking or belittling someone based on their race, religion or national origin
- Using racial or religious-based slurs while confronting, threatening, stalking or badgering someone
Members of the UAlbany community can File a Report of Title VI Misconduct. When a faculty or staff member becomes aware of potential acts of racism or other forms of hatred, they must contact the Title VI Coordinator. The Office of the Title VI Coordinator will assess the situation to determine the appropriate response and reach out to the people impacted by the conduct to offer reporting options and support.
Responsibilities
The Title VI Coordinator will investigate and monitor outcomes, identify any patterns, and assess their effects on the campus climate. The Title VI Coordinator will periodically assess available data from reports, investigations, and findings of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation at least annually. This assessment will facilitate the identification of any patterns, recidivism, or collective incidents that may warrant additional inquiry or response to eliminate a hostile environment in a university program or activity.
The Title VI Coordinator determines whether, and in what manner, the university proceeds in responding to a report of Title VI Misconduct when a request for anonymity, no action or informal resolution is made.
The Title VI Coordinator oversees all hostile environment assessments conducted on each report of Title VI Misconduct, whether the conduct occurs on campus, off campus or on social media.
The Title VI Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that training is provided annually to all personnel responsible for investigating reports of Title VI Misconduct, all university police and other law enforcement personnel, and all university students, faculty, and staff.
The Title VI Coordinator is responsible for annually searching university websites and publications to ensure accuracy of information on policies and procedures regarding discrimination, including harassment, or retaliation, or links to such policies, procedures, and forms are operational.
Free Speech on our Campus
Protecting and promoting freedom of speech and expression is not only a fundamental constitutional right but also the cornerstone of learning and central to the university experience.
Questioning ideas, posing alternative opinions, and presenting different perspectives is how we create knowledge and help everyone to have more meaningful engagement with the world around them.
UAlbany strives to ensure a safe environment for all constitutionally protected speech, regardless of its content, and encourages all members of the University community and Third Parties to fully understand their right to free speech under the First Amendment on our campus.
The First Amendment does not guarantee unrestricted speech at any time or place. Expressive activities that obstruct or disrupt the academic mission, threaten investigation, interfere with others' free speech, or jeopardize university or personal safety may necessitate actions to ensure adherence to laws and university policies. Read more about Expressive Activities on our Campus
Contact the Office
Contact the Office of the Title VI Coordinator at [email protected].