Workplace Policies
Information in addition to the policies below is available on the Human Resources site, under Policies and Procedures.
Nondiscrimination Policy |
Recruitment of Full-Time Faculty and Staff |
Recruitment efforts at any level of the university are designed to promote the hiring of the best-qualified candidate for any vacant position and to ensure that SUNY’s affirmative action guidelines are followed.
A downloadable .pdf of the Search Process Handbook is available under Search Process on the Affirmative Action site. |
Conduct of State Business in Private Establishments |
State employees shall not sponsor, organize, attend, or participate in any meeting or other activity, the purpose of which is related to State business, in any private establishment that does not afford full membership rights and privileges to any person because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sex, disability, military status, or marital status. (Executive Order 17, issued May 31, 1983, by Gov. Mario M. Cuomo) |
Drug-Free Workplace Policy |
The unlawful use, possession, manufacture, dispensation, or distribution of controlled substances in all campus work locations is prohibited. Employees who unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, or use a controlled substance will be subject to disciplinary procedures consistent with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements. Employees must abide by the terms of this statement and must notify the Offices of Human Resources and Affirmative Action of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring in the workplace or at a work site no later than five working days after such a conviction. |
Harassment on Campus |
The following information is provided by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, a standing committee of the Purchase College Senate. It is meant to detail your rights as a member of the Purchase College faculty in the event that you experience or are accused of harassment on campus. Please note, however, that the following information is subject to change; questions should be directed to the affirmative action officer (AAO) at (914) 251-5992. You also have representation provided by your union (UUP) and always have the right to confer with your union representative, who can help you determine what your rights are and how best to proceed. Before reading any further, please review the college’s Student Code of Conduct, published by the Office of Community Standards, and the information specific to sexual harassment in this section.
Definitions of harassment can be found in the SUNY policy, Equal Opportunity: Access, Employment, and Fair Treatment.
Sexual Harassment Academic freedom, creativity, professional achievement, and personal development flourish in a healthy environment. Such an environment must be one in which all employees and students can pursue their work free from coercion, intimidation, and exploitation. Harassment is antithetical to the mission of the college, and violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion or termination. The full text of the college’s sexual harassment policy is available on the Affirmative Action site. Please refer to the Title IX section of the college website and Faculty-Student Consensual Relationships below for additional information. |
Faculty-Student Consensual Relationships |
Trust and respect are diminished when those in positions of authority abuse or appear to abuse their power. It is ethically wrong for members of the faculty or staff to use their positions to exploit students. Voluntary consent by a student to a sexual relationship with a member of the faculty or staff is suspect, given the imbalance of power inherent in such a relationship. Students involved in such relationships are at risk of exploitation. Faculty or staff members involved in such relationships are creating potential conflicts of interest and personal liability to charges of sexual harassment and interference with the welfare and academic or work performance of others. It is the position of the president and Purchase College that no such relationships can be consensual, and any such relationship will be investigated and appropriate action taken. |
Workplace Violence Prevention |
Purchase College is committed to providing a safe workplace and learning environment, both on campus and any of its off-site locations. The college will respond promptly to threats, acts of violence, and acts of aggression against its employees, including those of domestic violence. This policy sets forth standards for employee conduct and guidelines for reasonable precautions. The accompanying procedures outline responses to threats or violence, should they occur in the workplace. This policy shall not act to abridge, modify, or in any way limit the administration of the federal laws and the laws of the State of New York. The full text of this policy is available on the Human Resources site under Policies and Procedures.
Reporting Workplace Violence |
Domestic Violence and the Workplace Policy |
Domestic violence permeates the lives and compromises the safety of thousands of New York State employees each day, with tragic, destructive, and often fatal results. Domestic violence occurs within a wide spectrum of relationships, including married and formerly married couples; couples with children in common; couples who live together or have lived together; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender couples; and couples who are dating or who have dated in the past. Domestic violence is defined as a pattern of coercive tactics, which can include physical, psychological, sexual, economic, and emotional abuse perpetrated by one person against an adult intimate partner, with the goal of establishing and maintaining power and control over the victim. In addition to exacting a tremendous toll from the individuals it directly affects, domestic violence often spills over into the workplace, compromising the safety of both victims and coworkers and resulting in lost productivity, increased health care costs, increased absenteeism, and increased employee turnover. Purchase College, to the fullest extent possible without violating any existing rules, regulations, statutory requirements, contractual obligations, or collective bargaining agreements, will take all appropriate actions to promote safety in the workplace and respond effectively to the needs of victims of domestic violence. The full text of this policy is available on the Human Resources site under Policies and Procedures.
New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence |
Smoking |
Under current law and a policy adopted by the SUNY Board of Trustees on January 11, 2007, smoking is banned on SUNY campuses in indoor areas, including residence halls, and in vehicles owned or leased by the university. In addition:
All employees and students are responsible for complying with these policies. By June 2018, tobacco use will not be permitted anywhere on property owned, leased, or operated by the college. Faculty and staff who would like alternatives to smoking and referrals to smoking cessation programs may call the coordinator of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at (914) 251-6550. EAP services are free for faculty and staff. |
Alcoholic Beverages |
Purchase College seeks to encourage and sustain an academic environment that both respects individual freedom and promotes the health, safety, and welfare of all members of its community. In keeping with these objectives, Purchase College has established a policy and guidelines governing the possession, use, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages on the Purchase College campus that conform to the laws of the State of New York. Underage possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted at Purchase College. Selling or furnishing alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 21 or persons who are inebriated is not permitted at Purchase College. Consumption of alcoholic beverages and possession of open containers of alcoholic beverages are limited to designated locations, as specified in the Purchase College Alcohol Policy, available on the College Policies site. |
Accepting Gifts to the University or College |
Faculty members may not accept gifts directly on behalf of the college or the State University of New York. All prospective donors should be referred to the Purchase College Foundation, Office of the Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Please refer to Gifts and Gratuities in the Ethics section for related information. |