Policies, Procedures and Guidelines

Affirmative Action Policy

Sponsor:

 Office of the President, Affirmative Action Office

Contact:

 Affirmative Action Officer

Category:

 Institute-wide

Number:

 100.012

Effective Date:

 2012/01/01

Review Date:

 2014/01/06

Implementation History:

 Revised January 2012; Original March 2006

Keywords:

 Affirmative Action; Equal-Opportunity

Background Information:

Purpose

SUNY Empire State College is committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, arrest or conviction records and genetic predisposition/carrier status or who have been victims of domestic violence.

Definitions

Statements

The college’s affirmative action policy incorporates required practices under federal and state law and establishes its longstanding commitment to the ideals of fairness, access and excellence.

As an institution of higher education the college is committed both to increasing the representation of protected groups throughout the workforce and promoting diversity among its administration, faculty and staff.

It is the goal of the college’s affirmative action policy to provide equal-employment opportunity, address discrimination and contribute to the diversity of the college’s workforce. The college's affirmative action policy applies to all persons identified in federal and New York state laws as protected groups, including women, people with disabilities, protected veterans, blacks, Hispanics, Asian-Pacific Islanders, American Indian/Alaskan natives and those in protected-classes identified as two or more races.

It is the college’s obligation to take appropriate action under this policy should it be determined that applicable federal and state equal employment opportunity laws and regulations have been violated.

The college’s affirmative action plan  has been prepared in accordance with State University of New York policy and the regulations promulgated by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), U.S. Department of Labor, 41 CFR Chapter 60. Inquiries regarding the plan may be directed to Mary Morton, affirmative action officer, 518-587-2100, ext. 2265, 2 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Applicable Legislation and Regulations

The federal and state laws that incorporate EEO components and guide college policy include:
  • Federal Executive Orders 11246 and 11375, as amended
  • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended in 1991
  • Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
  • The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
  • The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986
  • The New York State Human Rights Law
  • New York Executive Law §290
  • New York Code of Rules and Regulations §466
  • New York City Human Rights Law.

Related References, Policies, Procedures, Forms and Appendices

The college’s affirmative action plan describes initiatives undertaken to prevent discrimination and harassment and nurture an inclusive, respectful and collegial environment among employees, students and visitors. The affirmative action plan has been prepared in accordance with State University of New York policy and the regulations promulgated by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), U.S. Department of Labor, 41 CFR Chapter 60 and Executive Order 11246. Governor’s Executive Order No. 28 prohibits discrimination relating to employment based on sexual orientation, Executive Order 19 pertaining to victims of domestic violence, and the State University of New York’s Policies of the Board of Trustees.