Nondiscrimination Policy

Purchase College does not discriminate against any person in employment, educational programs and activities, or admission on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, handicap/disability, sexual orientation, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics and domestic victim status.

Purchase is committed to Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action, and complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as well as SUNY Board of Trustees policy

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity. One type of sex discrimination is sexual harassment, which includes sexual violence.

Sexual harassment is defined as: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

1. submission to such contact is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment or education
2. submission or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or educational decisions affecting the individual
3. such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s welfare, academic or work performance, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or demeaning learning or work environment

Sexual harassment may include:

1. subtle persistent pressure for sexual activity
2. unnecessary touching, pinching, and/or brushing against a person
3. sexual coercion or assault
4. demanding sexual favors with implied or overt threats concerning work or academic decision or preferential treatment
5. unwelcome verbal/expressive behavior of a sexual nature (e.g., jokes, sounds, obscene phone calls, demeaning graphic portrayals)
6. stalking, cyber stalking, and failure to accept the termination of a consensual relationship with repeated overtures or other aberrant or negative behavior

Sexual violence has been defined as “physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person’s will or where a person is incapable of giving consent,” including rape, sexual battery, and sexual coercion.

Domestic Victim Status has be defined by the Human Rights Law as an individual who is a victim of an act which would constitute a family offense under N.Y. Family Court Act § 812. It is unlawful to discriminate against a domestic violence victim in hiring for a job, job advancement, requests for use of leave time, or other terms, conditions or privileges of employment. It is also unlawful for an employer to take an action in retaliation for filing a complaint of discrimination.

On-campus inquiries or complaints regarding Title IX Violations may be addressed to:

Holly Hare

Title IX Coordinator

Purchase College
735 Anderson Hill Road
Purchase, NY 10577
(914) 251-5928

email: titleix@purchase.edu

All other inquiries or complaints may be addressed to:

Ricardo Espinales

Interim Affirmative Action Officer
Purchase College
735 Anderson Hill Road
Purchase, NY 10577
(914) 251-5982