Announcement Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy and Procedures for Students

Dear members of the Columbia Community,

As we begin this new school year, I know that all Columbians want to learn and work in an inclusive, safe, and supportive environment. The new Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) has been working to help make that a reality, and today I am writing to share our new Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy and Procedures for Students.

The new Policy was created to provide a more comprehensive and robust set of procedures that align with other University Policies, including Columbia University’s Gender Based Misconduct and Interim Title IX Policies and Procedures for Students and Columbia University’s EOAA Policies and Procedures for faculty and staff. 

At this link, you will find details and descriptions of:

  • The type of conduct that is prohibited. As described in the Policy, prohibited conduct may occur on campus or off-campus in connection with a University sponsored event, over email, on social media, or other platforms controlled by the University.
     
  • Who is subject to the Policy. Current students, active alumni, student groups and their members are all subject to the new Policy. Faculty and staff are subject to the existing EOAA policy.
     
  • The rights and responsibilities of those involved in a report of prohibited conduct. The Policy also describes reporting options for students who have concerns, the initial steps OIE may take upon receiving a report, and the kinds of support OIE can provide to students in connection with the process.
     
  • The process for resolving a report, which ranges from an administrative or educational resolution to a formal investigation. The Policy details the potential sanctions, how sanctions are determined, and an appeals process.

The Policy’s appendices include a comprehensive list of resources for students affected by discrimination, the New York State Students’ Bill of Rights, and a glossary of terms and concepts, along with examples of how the Policy would work in practice.

OIE, which I now oversee, combines several university functions, including responding to alleged violations of Title VI, Title VII, and discrimination against other protected groups; investigations under the University’s Title IX and Gender Based Misconduct Policy; and oversight of other university policies and procedures. As Provost Olinto noted in her message on August 29, this reconfigured and expanded office is the result of many months of work and represents a major step forward in supporting an environment of inclusivity and respect.

This new Office and new Policy are part of Interim President Katrina Armstrong’s commitment to addressing discrimination and harassment, as she emphasized in her August 23 message to the community. The creation of this central office, staffed by experienced investigators, will help streamline the process and ensure that all reports are taken seriously and handled in a fair and timely manner.

We encourage everyone to read the full Policy, as well as the FAQs, which are both posted on the OIE website. Our collective understanding of and respect for this Policy are critical to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and safe.

Sincerely,

Laura Kirschstein
Vice Provost 
Office of Institutional Equity