September 28, 2012

Dear Members of the College Community:

As the 2012–2013 academic year commences, I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm the College’s commitment to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and diversity programs and ideals.  We strive to achieve educational and social equity through campus-wide initiatives and programs that advance a core principle of CSI’s Mission, to “embrace the strength of our diversity, foster civic-mindedness, and nurture responsible citizens for our city, country, and the world.”

It is the policy of The City University of New York and the College of Staten Island to recruit, employ, retain, promote, and provide benefits to employees and to admit and provide services for students without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, legally registered domestic partnership status, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, alienage, citizenship, military or veteran status, or status as a victim of domestic violence. Sexual harassment, a form of sex discrimination, is also prohibited. 

The City University of New York, as a public university system, adheres to federal, state, and city laws and regulations regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action including among others Section 1324b of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), Executive Order 11246, as amended, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, Section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the New York State Human Rights Law and the New York City Human Rights Law.  The “protected classes,” as delineated in Executive Order 11246: (i.e., Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaskan Native and Women), were expanded on December 9, 1976 by the Chancellor of The City University of New York to include Italian-Americans.  The U.S. Office of Management and Budget further expanded these protected classes in 2006 to include two or more races (not Hispanic or Latino) and replaced Asian/Pacific Islander, with Asian (not Hispanic or Latino) and Native Hawaiian (not Hispanic or Latino), Black was renamed as Black or African American (not Hispanic or Latino) and Hispanic was renamed Hispanic or Latino. 

I have assigned the responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of our compliance program to the Director of Diversity and Compliance, Danielle Dimitrov, who will also serve as the 504/ADA Committee Coordinator, Sexual Harassment Awareness and Intake Committee Coordinator, and Title IX Coordinator.  The vice presidents, deans, directors, managers and supervisors share responsibility for ensuring our compliance with these policies and laws.   The Office of Diversity and Compliance is located in Building 1-A, Room 103.  You may also contact the office by phone:  718-982-2250 or email:  Danielle.Dimitrov@csi.cuny.edu. 

I encourage you to continue advancing our Mission further with your dedicated support and participation in CSI’s many diversity-related events and programs throughout the school year.

Sincerely,

 
William J. Fritz, PhD
Interim President