Title VI & Bias Response at FSC

Discrimination is the different treatment of an individual or group based in whole or in part, upon a factor prohibited by law that adversely affects the individual’s or group’s employment, education, access to or participation in a college program or activity, or other right or privilege protected by applicable law, either Title VI or relevant NY State statues. Protected characteristics include:

• Age
• Race
• Creed
• Color
• Ethnicity
• National Origin
• Shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics
• Religion
• Sexual Orientation
• Gender Identity or Expression
• Military or Veteran Status
• Sex
• Disability
• Predisposing Genetic Characteristics
• Familial Status
• Marital Status
• Domestic Violence Victim Status
• Criminal Conviction
• Arrest Record
• Citizenship or Immigration Status
• Pregnancy Status or Outcomes
• Reproductive Healthcare and Autonomy

Discrimination may also result from failure of the Campus to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals when required due to the individual's disability, religion, pregnancy status, maternity, breastfeeding, transgender status, or sexual violence victim status, among others

Harassment is a form of Discrimination consisting of oral, written, graphic or physical conduct relating to an individual's protected characteristics that has the effect of subjecting the individual to inferior terms, conditions or privileges of education or employment or interferes with or limits the ability of an individual to participate in or benefit from the college’s programs or activities. Such conduct must amount to more than petty slights or trivial inconveniences but need not be severe or pervasive. Such protected characteristics include those listed in the summary section above and any other characteristic protected by applicable state or federal law.

Engaging in speech or expression protected by the First Amendment is not a violation of Farmingdale State College policy.

Retaliation is an adverse action taken against an individual as a result of complaining about or providing information regarding unlawful discrimination or harassment, exercising a legal right, and/or participating in a complaint investigation as a third-party witness. Adverse action includes being discharged, disciplined, academically disadvantaged, discriminated against, subjected to harassment or intimidation, or otherwise subject to adverse action because the individual reports discrimination or participates in an investigation under this procedure.

The purpose of these published procedures is to allow FSC to identify potential instances of discrimination or harassment that may occur on campus involving students or employees. Exploring them may or may not result in College action, depending on the type of incident or any necessary further intervention to ensure an equitable campus environment. 

Any student, employee, or third party (such as a vendor or contractor) may consult with the Compliance Investigator, Title IX Coordinator, or Dean of Students, regarding potential discrimination, harassment or retaliation. This initial contact may occur by telephone, email, video conference, or in person.

Individuals are encouraged to submit a report regardless of whether you are certain if you have experienced or observed a potential instance of discrimination or harassment. College officials, such as the Compliance Investigator, Title IX Coordinator, the Dean of Students, or a representative of Human Resources, can help determine which campus protocol may be best suited to address your concern. 

Yes.

Discrimination should be reported within one year after the last act of alleged discrimination or harassment occurred. 

Allegations of sexual harassment, that do not fall under Title IX-covered behavior, should be reported within seven years of the alleged acts of sexual harassment.

Failure to report discrimination within the relevant limitation period may lead to dismissal of the complaint. Note, in instances involving a student charge of discrimination against a faculty member that occurred in the context of a subordinate-supervisor academic relationship (e.g., teaching, advising, thesis or dissertation supervision, coaching, clinical medical supervision), the time period may be extended until one year after the student is no longer under the faculty member's academic or clinical medical supervision or three years from the date the most recent alleged discrimination occurred, whichever is earlier.

Individuals will typically receive confirmation upon receipt of the incident form within two business days, if contact information has been provided. All reports are reviewed by a College official and, depending on the severity of the incident, may involve consultation with University Police, Human Resources, or the Dean of Students if interim supportive measures are required.  

As always, in the event of an emergency please contact University Police at (934) 420-2111 for assistance. 

Students are encouraged to connect with Campus Mental Health Services (CMHS), who provide a variety of trauma-informed services and assistance with referrals. CMHS may be contacted at (934) 420-2006 or cmhs@farmingdale.edu between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. Students in need of assistance after traditional business hours may contact the University Police dispatch at (934) 420-2111 to be connected to an on-call CMHS staff psychologist. 

Employees are encouraged to connect with the College's Employee Assistance Program (EAP).