Every member of the college community shares the responsibility for addressing incidents of disrespect for dignity of others, acts of discrimination, racism, bigotry, harassment, exclusion, abusive language, or mistreatment of individuals or groups. Among the goals of the college is the empowerment of a diverse population of students to succeed as citizens of a challenging world. The college is dedicated to maintaining an atmosphere of intellectual vitality, collegiality and collaboration. It will not have attained its goal until and unless all in its midst obtain fair and equitable treatment in employment and education. For this reason, Buffalo State College condemns, and pledges itself to fight against all acts of invidious discrimination, bias, intolerance, or harassment.
Racial discrimination is a particularly serious problem.
The goals of the college are undermined and human dignity is offended where employment or educational benefits, opportunities or privileges are denied or restricted on the basis of race, religion, color, or national origin, or where a racially hostile environment exists. Racial discrimination and illegal discrimination of any sort limit the opportunity for individuals to realize their potential and deny them the rigors, joys, and fulfillment of intellectual curiosity. It shall be a violation of this policy for any agent, student or employee of Buffalo State College to discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital or veteran's status against any individual with respect to the terms of employment, education or benefits of any program or activity at Buffalo State College. All members of the college community are expected to contribute to the college environment to move the college community in the direction of respect for all. All persons within the college community who perceive that they have been subjected to discrimination or harassment based on age, race, religion, color, national origin, gender, disability, marital or veterans' status or sexual orientation are urged to present their concerns to the Office of Equity and Campus Diversity.