Morrisville State College, in its continuing effort to seek equity in education and employment, and in support of federal and state anti-discrimination legislation, has adopted a complaint procedure for the prompt and equitable investigation and resolution of allegations of unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or marital status. Harassment is one form of unlawful discrimination on the basis of the above protected categories.

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Definitions of Conducts That May Constitute Harassment

Sexual Harassment in the Educational Setting:
Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment can include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment of a student denies or limits, on the basis of sex, the student’s ability to participate in or to receive benefits, services or opportunities in the educational institution’s program.

Harassment on the Basis of Protected Characteristic(s) other than Sex/Gender:
Harassment based on race, color, age, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or other protected characteristics is oral, written, graphic or physical conduct relating to an individual's protected characteristics that is sufficiently severe, pervasive or persistent so as to interfere with or limit the ability of an individual to participate in or benefit from the educational institution’s programs or activities.

The Affirmative Action Officer shall receive any complaint of alleged discrimination, shall assist the complainant in the use of the complaint form and shall provide the complainant with information about various internal and external mechanisms through which the complaint may be filed, including applicable time limits for filing with each agency.

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Complaint Procedure for the Review of Allegations of Unlawful Discriminations

This SUNY Complaint Procedure for the Review of Allegations of Unlawful Discrimination provides a mechanism through which the university may identify, respond to and prevent incidents of illegal discrimination. The University recognizes and accepts its responsibility in this regard and believes that the establishment of this internal, non-adversarial grievance process will benefit student, faculty, staff and administration, permitting investigation and resolution of problems without resorting to the frequently expensive and time-consuming procedures of state and federal enforcement agencies or courts.

The Complaint Procedure for review of Allegations of Unlawful Discrimination/Harassment/and or Civil Rights Violation may be used by any State University of New York student or employee. Employee grievance procedures established through negotiated contracts, academic grievance review committees, student disciplinary grievance boards and any other procedures defined by contract will continue to operate as before. Neither does this procedure in any way deprive a complainant of the right to file with outside enforcement agencies, such as the New York State Division of Human Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Office for Civil Rights of the United States Department of Education and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance of the United States Department of Labor.

However, after filing with one of these outside enforcement agencies, or upon the initiation of litigation, the complaint will be referred to the Office of University Counsel for review and supervision. More detailed information may be obtained from the Campus Affirmative Action Officer.

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Documents

• View a copy of the Internal Discrimination Complaint Procedure