California College of the Arts
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Links to the statements in the on student handbook and on the faculty/staff resources webpage are below:
Students:
https://www.cca.edu/students/handbook/regulations
Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Unlawful Harassment & Retaliation
No Discrimination: CCA is an equal opportunity institution of higher education and employer and is firmly committed to nondiscrimination in its delivery of educational services and employment practices.

In compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, such decisions will be made irrespective of the individual's race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age (except for minors), sex, marital status, citizenship status, military service status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression/presentation, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic condition), disability, and/or any other status protected by law. Gender identity or expression/presentation includes having, or being perceived as having a gender-related identity or expression whether or not stereotypically associated with a person’s actual or perceived gender. Differential treatment on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from these conditions is considered a form of discrimination, as is applying any rule related to parental status that treats students differently due to gender.

Applicable statutes under the purview of the Department of Education include: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, or shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex (sexual harassment and sexual violence are examples of such discrimination) and gender (conforming to or not conforming to stereotypical notions of femininity or masculinity); Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504); and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Title II). Section 504 and Title II prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability.

When requested, the college will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities if the individual is otherwise qualified to meet the fundamental requirements and aspects of the program and safely perform all essential functions without undue hardship to the college and without altering fundamental aspects of its educational program.

Pregnant students are eligible for accommodations and to the same services as students with temporary medical conditions. For information about accommodations due to disability, pregnancy, or temporary medical condition, students should contact the Assistant Dean of Students for Access and Case Management at access@cca.edu or 510.594.3775.

Faculty/Staff:
Discrimination and Unlawful Harassment Policy
https://www.cca.edu/about/administration/forms
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oju5ZTHsme7RZzeK3HyQJoA21RzjUCeZQ0nvhImYnYc/edit

Equal Employment Practices
CCA is an equal-opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We want to have the best available person in every job. The college prohibits unlawful discrimination based on sex, race, color, religion, religious creed, age (over 18 years), mental or physical disability, medical condition as defined by law, national origin, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. CCA’s commitment to equal-opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in the operations of the college and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of the college, including supervisors and coworkers.

To comply with applicable laws ensuring equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities, the college will make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified individual who is an applicant or an employee, unless undue hardship for the college would result. Any applicant or employee who requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of his or her job should contact the director of human resources and request such an accommodation. The college will conduct an investigation to identify the barriers that make it difficult for the applicant or employee to have an equal opportunity to perform his or her job and then identify what possible accommodation, if any, would help to eliminate the barriers. If the accommodation is reasonable and will not impose an undue hardship, the college will make the accommodation. The college may also propose alternative accommodation(s).

If an employee believes that he or she has been subjected to any form of unlawful discrimination, he or she should submit a written complaint to the director of human resources, the president of the college, and/or his or her supervisor. The complaint should be specific and include the names of the individuals involved as well as the names of any witnesses. CCA will, in all appropriate cases, immediately undertake an effective, thorough, and objective investigation. CCA will endeavor to protect the privacy and confidentiality of all parties involved, as much as is possible. If the college determines that unlawful discrimination has occurred, effective remedial action will be taken, commensurate with the severity of the offense, up to and including termination. Appropriate action will also be taken to deter any future discrimination. Whatever action is taken will be made known to the complaining employee. The college will not retaliate against an employee for filing any good-faith complaint and will not knowingly permit retaliation by management, coworkers, or other employees.

Applicable law prohibits retaliation against any employee by another employee or by the college for reporting, filing, testifying, assisting, or participating in any manner in any investigation, proceeding, or hearing conducted by the college or a federal or state enforcement agency. Any retaliation should be reported immediately to any college supervisor or the director of human resources. Reports of retaliatory conduct will be immediately, objectively, and thoroughly investigated in accordance with the procedures outlined above.

The CCA Cares Team responds to those who have experienced a bias incident, act of discrimination, or hate crime:
https://www.cca.edu/students/dean/cares/team
https://www.cca.edu/students/dean/cares/form

- General wellness and student success support needs or concerns
- Threat of possible violence (to self or others/campus)
- Violation of campus policy
- Sexual or gender-based misconduct
- Unlawful harassment or discrimination

Submissions are reviewed during regular business hours and routed to the appropriate staff member or office/group including, but not limited to; the CCA Care team, Academic Advising, Academic Affairs, a student conduct officer, or a Title IX intake officer.

CCA's enrollment services team works to recruit students from underrepresented groups by targeting presentations and recruitment activities to high schools with diverse student populations and populations with high numbers of underrepresented groups (e.g., economic, race/ethnicity, etc.).

CCA also has Diversity Scholarships: https://www.cca.edu/admissions/financialaid/diversityscholarships

Once at CCA, students are supported through the following programs:
- The hiring of two new ranked faculty in Diversity Studies.
- New formalized student organizations geared toward meeting the needs of our international students, queer students, and students of color have launched. These are listed below.
- Faculty Mentor for Students of Color (described below).

Diversity Student Organizations
Alliance for Multiculturalism in Architecture (NOMAS) is a club devoted to promoting awareness of how local minority architects are excelling in the design field and shaping built environments.
Light House is a bible study club devoted to fostering a welcoming community of spiritual faith.
International Interior Design Association (IIDA) is a professional networking and educational association committed to enhancing the quality of life through excellence in interior design.
International Student Alliance (ISA) is a club where students, faculty, and staff can share cultural traditions and connect students to events and resources.
Queer/Straight Alliance (QSA) is a club that provides a safe space to all and raise public awareness through multiple perspectives about the diverse issues in the CCA LGBT community.
Students of Color Coalition is open to all students, faculty, and staff interested in the success of students of color at CCA.
Taiwanese Student Association seeks to promote awareness and appreciation of Taiwanese culture, as well as to organize various social events in the spirit of entertainment, friendship, and community.

- Faculty Mentor to Students of Color
Faith Adiele is CCA's faculty mentor to students of color. She focuses her attention specifically on first-year students in both undergraduate and graduate programs, but is available to all students.
Goals
The main goals of the mentorship are as follows:
- provide mentorship for students of color, regardless of area of study
- encourage the exchange of ideas and dialogue around what it means to be a student of color at CCA
- assist students in navigating the various college resources available to them (including Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Financial Aid, Residential Life, and Center for Art and Public Life)
- foster connections between students and the larger community of artists, architects, and designers of color in the Bay Area.

Students:

Mentoring
- Faculty Mentor to Students of Color
Faith Adiele is CCA's faculty mentor to students of color. She focuses her attention specifically on first-year students in both undergraduate and graduate programs, but is available to all students.
Goals
The main goals of the mentorship are as follows:
- provide mentorship for students of color, regardless of area of study
- encourage the exchange of ideas and dialogue around what it means to be a student of color at CCA
- assist students in navigating the various college resources available to them (including Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Financial Aid, Residential Life, and Center for Art and Public Life)
- foster connections between students and the larger community of artists, architects, and designers of color in the Bay Area.

Counseling
https://www.cca.edu/students/counseling

Peer support
Diversity Student Organizations
Alliance for Multiculturalism in Architecture (NOMAS) is a club devoted to promoting awareness of how local minority architects are excelling in the design field and shaping built environments.
Light House is a bible study club devoted to fostering a welcoming community of spiritual faith.
International Interior Design Association (IIDA) is a professional networking and educational association committed to enhancing the quality of life through excellence in interior design.
International Student Alliance (ISA) is a club where students, faculty, and staff can share cultural traditions and connect students to events and resources.
Queer/Straight Alliance (QSA) is a club that provides a safe space to all and raise public awareness through multiple perspectives about the diverse issues in the CCA LGBT community.
Students of Color Coalition is open to all students, faculty, and staff interested in the success of students of color at CCA.
Taiwanese Student Association seeks to promote awareness and appreciation of Taiwanese culture, as well as to organize various social events in the spirit of entertainment, friendship, and community.

Students, Faculty, and Staff:
CCA Cares—an online referral system that allows anyone in the community to submit the information of a student, faculty or staff that needs extra support and resources from the committee.

Faculty/Staff can receive support and counseling from CCA's employee assistance program, Claremont.