California State University, Northridge
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

https://catalog.csun.edu/policies/nondiscrimination-policy/

Nondiscrimination Policy

CSUN is comprised of individuals from diverse backgrounds. The University takes pride in being a culturally pluralistic campus that promotes equal opportunity. It is essential that the entire University community recognize the need for an awareness of, sensitivity to and respect for the cultural heritage, gender and sexual orientation of others. Individual(s) or group(s) actions or activities that promote degrading or demeaning social stereotypes based on age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation or veteran status will not be tolerated. Students who behave abusively toward members of the University community based on the aforementioned criteria will face serious consequences and will be subject to disciplinary action. Any student who commits acts of discrimination, harassment or retaliation manifested by acts or threats of physical abuse, verbal abuse and/or hazing activities may be subject to suspension or expulsion from the University.

Ethnicity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Religion and Veteran Status
The California State University does not discriminate on the basis of age, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, nationality, race or ethnicity (including color and ancestry), religion (or religious creed), and veteran or military status in its programs and activities, including admission and access. Federal and state laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the California Equity in Higher Education Act, prohibit such discrimination. The Director for the Office of Equity & Diversity has been designated to coordinate the efforts of CSUN to comply with all applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination on these bases. Inquiries concerning compliance may be presented to the Office of Equity & Diversity, University Hall Room 285, (818) 677-2077. CSU Executive Order 1097 Revised October 5, 2016 (.pdf) is the systemwide procedure for all complaints of discrimination, harassment or retaliation made by students against the CSU, a CSU employee, other CSU students or a third party.

Disability
The California State University does not discriminate on the basis of disability (physical and mental) in its programs and activities, including admission and access. Federal and state laws, including sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, prohibit such discrimination. The Director for the Office of Equity & Diversity has been designated to coordinate the efforts of CSUN to comply with all applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability. Inquiries concerning compliance may be presented to the Office of Equity & Diversity, University Hall Room 285, (818) 677-2077. CSU Executive Order 1097 Revised October 5, 2016 (.pdf) is the systemwide procedure for all complaints of discrimination, harassment or retaliation made by students against the CSU, a CSU employee, other CSU students or a third party.

Sex/Gender/Gender Identity/Gender Expression/Sexual Orientation
The California State University does not discriminate on the basis of gender (or sex), gender identity (including transgender), gender expression or sexual orientation in its programs and activities, including admission and access. Federal and state laws, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, prohibit such discrimination. The Director for the Office of Equity & Diversity has been designated to coordinate the efforts of CSUN to comply with all applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination on these bases. Inquiries concerning compliance may be presented to the Office of Equity & Diversity, University Hall Room 285, (818) 677-2077. The California State University is committed to providing equal opportunities to all CSU students in all campus programs, including intercollegiate athletics.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects all people regardless of their gender, gender identity or gender expression from sex discrimination, which includes sexual harassment and violence:

Gender discrimination means an adverse act taken against an individual because of gender or sex (including sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking) that is perpetrated against an individual on a basis prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., and its implementing regulations, 34 C.F.R. Part 106 (Title IX); California Education Code §66250 et seq., and/or California Government Code §11135.

Sexual harassment, a form of sex discrimination, is unwelcome verbal, nonverbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that includes, but is not limited to, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and any other conduct of a sexual nature where:

Submission to, or rejection of, the conduct is explicitly or implicitly used as the basis for any decision affecting a complainant’s academic status or progress, or access to benefits and services, honors, programs, or activities available at or through the University; or
The conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that its effect, whether or not intended, could be considered by a reasonable person in the shoes of the complainant, and is in fact considered by the complainant, as limiting his or her ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or opportunities offered by the University; or
The conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that its effect, whether or not intended, could be considered by a reasonable person in the shoes of the complainant, and is in fact considered by the complainant, as creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.
Sexual harassment could include being forced to engage in unwanted sexual contact as a condition of membership in a student organization; being subjected to video exploitation or a campaign of sexually explicit graffiti; or frequently being exposed to unwanted images of a sexual nature in a classroom that are unrelated to the coursework.

Sexual harassment also includes acts of verbal, non-verbal or physical aggression, intimidation or hostility based on gender or sex-stereotyping, even if those acts do not involve conduct of a sexual nature.

Executive Order 1097 covers unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature. While romantic, sexual, intimate, personal or social relationships between members of the University community may begin as consensual, they may evolve into situations that lead to sexual harassment or sexual misconduct, including dating or domestic violence, or stalking, subject to this policy.

Claiming that the conduct was not motivated by sexual desire is not a defense to a complaint of harassment based on gender.

Sexual misconduct: All sexual activity between members of the University community must be based on affirmative consent. Engaging in any sexual activity without first obtaining affirmative consent to the specific activity is sexual misconduct, whether or not the conduct violates any civil or criminal law. Sexual activity includes, but is not limited to, kissing, touching intimate body parts, fondling, intercourse, penetration of any body part, and oral sex. It also includes any unwelcome physical acts, such as unwelcome sexual touching, sexual assault, sexual battery, rape, and dating violence. When based on gender, domestic violence or stalking also constitutes sexual misconduct. Sexual misconduct may include using physical force, violence, threat or intimidation, ignoring the objections of the other person, causing the other person’s intoxication or incapacitation through the use of drugs or alcohol, or taking advantage of the other person’s incapacitation (including voluntary intoxication) to engage in sexual activity. Men as well as women can be victims of these forms of sexual misconduct. Sexual activity with a minor is never consensual when the complainant is under 18 years old, because the minor is considered incapable of giving consent.

Sexual assault is a form of sexual misconduct and is an attempt, coupled with the ability, to commit a violent injury on the person of another because of that person’s gender or sex.

Sexual battery is a form of sexual misconduct and is any willful and unlawful use of force or violence upon the person of another because of that person’s gender or sex as well as touching an intimate part of another person against that person’s will and for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification or abuse.

Rape is a form of sexual misconduct and is non-consensual sexual intercourse that may also involve the use of threat of force, violence, or immediate and unlawful bodily injury or threats of future retaliation and duress. Any sexual penetration, however slight, is sufficient to constitute rape. Sexual acts including intercourse are considered non-consensual when a person is incapable of giving consent because he or she is incapacitated from alcohol and/or drugs, is under 18 years old, or if a mental disorder or developmental or physical disability renders the person incapable of giving consent. The respondent’s relationship to the person (such as family member, spouse, friend, acquaintance or stranger) is irrelevant.

Acquaintance rape is a form of sexual misconduct committed by an individual known to the victim. This includes a person the victim may have just met; i.e., at a party, introduced through a friend, or on a social networking website.

Affirmative consent means an informed, affirmative, conscious, voluntary, and mutual agreement to engage in sexual activity. It is the responsibility of each person involved in the sexual activity to ensure that he or she has the affirmative consent of the other participant(s) to engage in the sexual activity. Lack of protest or resistance does not mean consent nor does silence mean consent. Affirmative consent must be voluntary, and given without coercion, force, threats, or intimidation.

The existence of a dating or social relationship between those involved, or the fact of past sexual activities between them, should never by itself be assumed to be an indicator of affirmative consent. A request for someone to use a condom or birth control does not, in and of itself, constitute affirmative consent.
Affirmative consent can be withdrawn or revoked. Consent to one form of sexual activity (or sexual act) does not constitute consent to other forms of sexual activity. Consent given to sexual activity on one occasion does not constitute consent on another occasion. There must always be mutual and affirmative consent to engage in sexual activity. Consent must be ongoing throughout a sexual activity and can be revoked at any time, including after penetration. Once consent is withdrawn or revoked, the sexual activity must stop immediately.
A person who is incapacitated cannot give affirmative consent. A person is unable to consent when he or she is asleep, unconscious or is incapacitated due to the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication so that he or she could not understand the fact, nature or extent of the sexual activity. A person is incapacitated if he or she lacks the physical and/or mental ability to make informed, rational decisions. Whether an intoxicated person (as a result of using alcohol or other drugs) is incapacitated depends on the extent to which the alcohol or other drugs impact the person’s decision-making capacity, awareness of consequences, and ability to make fully informed judgments. A person’s own intoxication or incapacitation from drugs or alcohol does not diminish that person’s responsibility to obtain affirmative consent before engaging in sexual activity.
A person with a medical or mental disability may also lack the capacity to give consent.
Sexual activity with a minor (a person under 18 years old) is not consensual, because a minor is considered incapable of giving legal consent due to age.
It shall not be a valid excuse that a person affirmatively consented to the sexual activity if the respondent knew or reasonably should have known that the person was unable to consent to the sexual activity under any of the following circumstances:
The person was asleep or unconscious;
The person was incapacitated due to the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication, so that the person could not understand the fact, nature or extent of the sexual activity;
The person was unable to communicate due to a mental or physical condition.
It shall not be a valid excuse that the respondent believed that the person consented to the sexual activity under either of the following circumstances:
The respondent’s belief in affirmative consent arose from the intoxication or recklessness of the respondent;
The respondent did not take reasonable steps, in the circumstances known to the respondent at the time, to ascertain whether the person affirmatively consented.
Consensual relationships: Consensual relationship means a sexual or romantic relationship between two persons who voluntarily enter into such a relationship. While sexual and/or romantic relationships between members of the University community may begin as consensual, they may evolve into situations that lead to discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual misconduct, dating or domestic violence, or stalking.

A University employee shall not enter into a consensual relationship with a student or employee over whom he or she exercises direct or otherwise significant academic, administrative, supervisory, evaluative, counseling, or extracurricular authority. In the event such a relationship already exists, each campus shall develop a procedure to reassign such authority to avoid violations of policy.
This prohibition does not limit the right of an employee to make a recommendation on the personnel matters concerning a family or household member where the right to make recommendations on such personnel matters is explicitly provided for in the applicable collective bargaining agreement or MPP/confidential personnel plan.
Domestic violence is abuse committed against someone who is a current or former spouse, current or former cohabitant, someone with whom the abuser has a child, someone with whom the abuser has or had a dating or engagement relationship, or a person similarly situated under California domestic or family violence law. Cohabitant means two unrelated persons living together for a substantial period of time, resulting in some permanency of relationship. It does not include roommates who do not have a romantic, intimate, or sexual relationship. Factors that may determine whether persons are cohabiting include, but are not limited to (1) sexual relations between the parties while sharing the same living quarters, (2) sharing of income or expenses, (3) joint use or ownership of property, (4) whether the parties hold themselves out as husband and wife, (5) the continuity of the relationship, and (6) the length of the relationship. For purposes of this definition, “abuse” means intentionally or recklessly causing or attempting to cause bodily injury or placing another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent serious bodily injury to himself or herself, or another. Abuse does not include non-physical, emotional distress or injury.

Dating violence is abuse committed by a person who is or has been in a social or dating relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim. This may include someone the victim just met; i.e., at a party, introduced through a friend, or on a social networking website. For purposes of this definition, “abuse” means intentionally or recklessly causing or attempting to cause bodily injury or placing another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent serious bodily injury to himself or herself, or another. Abuse does not include non-physical, emotional distress or injury.

Stalking means a repeated course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his/her or others’ safety or to suffer substantial emotional distress. For purposes of this definition:

Course of conduct means two or more acts, including but not limited to, acts in which the stalker directly, indirectly, or through third parties, by any action, method, device, or means, follows, monitors, observes, surveys, threatens, or communicates to or about a person, or interferes with a person’s property;
Reasonable person means a reasonable person under similar circumstances and with the same protected status as the complainant;
Substantial emotional distress means significant mental suffering or anguish that may, but does not necessarily, require medical or other professional treatment or counseling.
See further information in CSUN’s sexual violence prevention and education statement, Title IX Notice of Nondiscrimination (.pdf) (which includes facts and myths about sexual violence), and Victim’s Rights and Options Notice (.pdf).

Who to Contact If You Have Complaints, Questions or Concerns
Title IX requires the University to designate a Title IX Coordinator to monitor and oversee overall Title IX compliance. Your campus Title IX Coordinator is available to explain and discuss your right to file a criminal complaint (for example, in cases of sexual misconduct); the University’s complaint process, including the investigation process; how confidentiality is handled; available resources, both on and off campus; and other related matters. If you are in the midst of an emergency, please call the police immediately by dialing 9-1-1.

Campus Title IX Coordinator
Susan Hua, J.D., M.A.
Office of Equity & Diversity
University Hall (UN), Room 285
Email: equityanddiversity@csun.edu or susan.hua@csun.edu
Phone: (818) 677-2077
Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
University Police
Department of Police Services
Physical Address: 9222 Darby Ave. (corner of Darby Avenue and Prairie Street)
Emergency (from a campus phone): 911
24-hour Dispatch Phone (non-emergency): (818) 677-2111
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
(800) 421-3481 or ocr@ed.gov
If you wish to fill out a complaint form online with the OCR, you may do so at OCR Complaint Forms.
Title IX requires the University to adopt and publish complaint procedures that provide for prompt and equitable resolution of gender discrimination complaints, including sexual harassment and misconduct as well as provide training, education and preventive measures related to sex discrimination. CSU Executive Order 1097 (.pdf) is the systemwide procedure for all complaints of discrimination, harassment or retaliation made by students against the CSU, a CSU employee, other CSU students or a third party.

Except as provided below under confidentiality and sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, any University employee who knows or has reason to know of allegations or acts that violate University policy shall promptly inform the Title IX Coordinator. These employees are required to disclose all information including the names of the parties, even where the person has requested that his or her name remain confidential. The Title IX Coordinator will determine whether confidentiality is appropriate given the circumstances of each such incident (see confidential reporting options outlined below.)

Regardless of whether an alleged victim of gender discrimination ultimately files a complaint, if the campus knows or has reason to know about possible sexual discrimination, harassment or misconduct, violence, it must review the matter to determine if an investigation is warranted. The campus must then take appropriate steps to eliminate any gender discrimination/harassment/misconduct, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effects.

Safety of the Campus Community is Primary
The University’s primary concern is the safety of its campus community members. The use of alcohol or drugs never makes the victim at fault for sexual discrimination, harassment or misconduct; therefore, victims should not be deterred from reporting incidents of gender misconduct out of a concern that they might be disciplined for related violations of drug, alcohol or other University policies. Except in extreme circumstances, victims of sexual misconduct shall not be subject to discipline for related violations of the Student Conduct Code.

Information Regarding Campus, Criminal and Civil Consequences of Committing Acts of Sexual Violence
Individuals alleged to have committed sexual misconduct may face criminal prosecution by law enforcement and may incur penalties as a result of civil litigation. In addition, employees and students may face discipline at the University, up to and including suspension or expulsion. Employees may face sanctions up to and including dismissal from employment, pursuant to established CSU policies and provisions of applicable collective bargaining unit agreements.

Students who are charged by the University with gender discrimination, harassment or misconduct will be subject to discipline, pursuant to the California State University Student Conduct Procedures (see Executive Order 1098 (.pdf) or any successor executive order) and will be subject to appropriate sanctions. In addition, during any investigation, the University may implement interim measures in order to maintain a safe and non-discriminatory educational environment. Such measures may include but not be limited to: immediate interim suspension from the University; a required move from University-owned or affiliated housing; adjustments to course schedule; and/or prohibition from contact with parties involved in the alleged incident.

Confidentiality and Sexual Misconduct, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence and Stalking
The University encourages victims of sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking (collectively sexual misconduct) to talk to someone about what happened–so they can get the support they need, and so the University can respond appropriately.

Privileged and Confidential Communications
Physicians, Psychotherapists, Professional Licensed Counselors, Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Clergy
Physicians, psychotherapists, professional, licensed counselors, licensed clinical social workers, and clergy who work or volunteer on or off campus, acting solely in those roles or capacities as part of their employment, and who provide medical or mental health treatment or counseling (and those who act under their supervision, including all individuals who work or volunteer in their centers and offices) may not report any information about an incident of sexual misconduct to anyone else at the University, including the Title IX Coordinator, without the victim’s consent. A victim can seek assistance and support from physicians, psychotherapists, professional, licensed counselors, licensed clinical social workers, and clergy without triggering a University investigation that could reveal the victim’s identity or the fact of the victim’s disclosure. However, see limited exceptions below regarding when health care practitioners must report to local law enforcement agencies. Health care practitioners should explain these limited exceptions to victims, if applicable.

Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Counselors and Advocates
Sexual assault and domestic violence counselors and advocates who work or volunteer on or off campus in sexual assault centers, victim advocacy offices, women’s centers, and health centers (including those who act in that role under their supervision, along with non-professional counselors or advocates who work or volunteer in sexual assault centers, victim advocacy offices, women’s centers, gender equity centers, or health centers) may talk to a victim without revealing any information about the victim and the incident of sexual misconduct to anyone else at the University, including the Title IX Coordinator, without the victim’s consent. A victim can seek assistance and support from these counselors and advocates without triggering a University investigation that could reveal his or her identity or that a victim disclosed an incident to them. However, see limited exceptions below regarding when sexual assault and domestic violence counselors and advocates must report to local law enforcement agencies. Counselors and advocates should explain these limited exceptions to victims, if applicable.

The University will be unable to conduct an investigation into a particular incident or pursue disciplinary action against a perpetrator if a victim chooses to (1) speak only to a physician, professional licensed counselor, licensed clinical social worker, clergy member, sexual assault counselor, domestic violence counselor or advocate; and (2) maintain complete confidentiality. Even so, these individuals will assist victims in receiving other necessary protection and support, such as victim advocacy, disability, medical/health or mental health services, or legal services, and will advise victims regarding their right to file a Title IX complaint with the University and a separate complaint with local or University police. If a victim insists on confidentiality, such professionals, counselors and advocates will likely not be able to assist the victim with: University academic support or accommodations; changes to University-based living or working schedules; or adjustments to course schedules. A victim who at first requests confidentiality may later decide to file a complaint with the University or report the incident to the police, and thus have the incident fully investigated. These counselors and advocates can provide victims with that assistance if requested by the victim. These counselors and advocates will also explain that Title IX includes protections against retaliation, and that the University will not only take steps to prevent retaliation when it knows or reasonably should know of possible retaliation, but will also take strong responsive action if it occurs.

Exceptions
Under California law, any health practitioner employed in a health facility, clinic, physician’s office, or local or state public health department or clinic is required to make a report to local law enforcement if he or she provides medical services for a physical condition to a patient/victim who he or she knows or reasonably suspects is suffering from (1) a wound or physical injury inflicted by a firearm; or (2) any wound or other physical injury inflicted upon a victim where the injury is the result of assaultive or abusive conduct (including sexual misconduct, domestic violence, and dating violence). This exception does not apply to sexual assault and domestic violence counselors and advocates. Health care practitioners should explain this limited exception to victims, if applicable.

Additionally, under California law, all professionals described above (physicians, psychotherapists, professional counselors, licensed clinical social workers, clergy, and sexual assault and domestic violence counselors and advocates) are mandatory child abuse and neglect reporters, and are required to report incidents involving victims under 18 years of age to local law enforcement. These professionals will explain this limited exception to victims, if applicable.

Finally, some or all of these professionals may also have reporting obligations under California law to (1) local law enforcement in cases involving threats of immediate or imminent harm to self or others where disclosure of the information is necessary to prevent the threatened danger; or (2) to the court if compelled by court order or subpoena in a criminal proceeding related to the sexual violence incident. If applicable, these professionals will explain this limited exception to victims.

Reporting to University or Local Police
If a victim reports to local or University Police about sexual misconduct, the police are required to notify victims that their names will become a matter of public record unless confidentiality is requested. If a victim requests that his or her identity be kept confidential, his or her name will not become a matter of public record and the police will not report the victim’s identity to anyone else at the University, including the Title IX Coordinator. University Police will, however, report the facts of the incident itself to the Title IX Coordinator being sure not to reveal to the Title IX Coordinator victim names/identities or compromise their own criminal investigation. The University is required by the federal Clery Act to report certain types of crimes (including certain sex offenses) in statistical reports. However, while the University will report the type of incident in the annual crime statistics report known as the Annual Security Report, victim names/identities will not be revealed.

Reporting to the Title IX Coordinator and Other University Employees
Most University employees have a duty to report sexual misconduct incidents when they are on notice of it. When a victim tells the Title IX Coordinator or another University employee about a sexual misconduct incident, the victim has the right to expect the University to take immediate and appropriate steps to investigate what happened and to resolve the matter promptly and equitably. In all cases, the University strongly encourages victims to report sexual misconduct directly to the campus Title IX Coordinator. As detailed above, all University employees except physicians, licensed professional counselors, licensed clinical social workers, sexual assault counselors and advocates, must report to the Title IX Coordinator all relevant details about any sexual violence incidents of which they become aware. The University will need to determine what happened–and will need to know the names of the victim(s) and the perpetrator(s), any witnesses, and any other relevant facts, including the date, time and specific location of the incident.

To the extent possible, information reported to the Title IX Coordinator or other University employees will be shared only with individuals responsible for handling the University’s response to the incident. The University will protect the privacy of individuals involved in a sexual misconduct incident except as otherwise required by law or University policy. A sexual misconduct report may result in the gathering of extremely sensitive information about individuals in the campus community. While such information is considered confidential, University policy regarding access to public records and disclosure of personal information may require disclosure of certain information concerning a report of sexual misconduct. In such cases, efforts will be made to redact the records, as appropriate, in order to protect the victim’s identity and privacy and the privacy of other involved individuals. Except as detailed in the section on Privileged and Confidential Communications above, no University employee, including the Title IX Coordinator, should disclose the victim’s identity to the police without the victim’s consent or unless the victim has also reported the incident to the police.

If a victim requests of the Title IX Coordinator or another University employee that his or her identity remain completely confidential, the Title IX Coordinator will explain that the University cannot always honor that request and guarantee complete confidentiality. If a victim wishes to remain confidential or request that no investigation be conducted or disciplinary action taken, the University must weigh that request against the University’s obligation to provide a safe, non-discriminatory environment for all students, employees, and third parties, including the victim. Under those circumstances, the Title IX Coordinator will determine whether the victim’s request for complete confidentiality and/or no investigation can be honored under the facts and circumstances of the particular case, including whether the University has a legal obligation to report the incident, conduct an investigation or take other appropriate steps. Without information about a victim’s identity, the University’s ability to meaningfully investigate the incident and pursue disciplinary action against the perpetrator may be severely limited. See Executive Order 1095 (.pdf) for further details around confidential reporting, and other related matters.

Additional Resources
CSUN’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Statement, which includes facts and myths about sexual misconduct.
U.S. Department of Education, regional office:
Office for Civil Rights
50 United Nations Plaza
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 486-5555
TDD (877) 521-2172

U.S. Department of Education, national office:
Office for Civil Rights
(800) 872-5327

California Coalition Against Sexual Assault
1215 K. Street, Suite 1850
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 446-2520

Know Your Rights about Title IX
Domestic and Family Violence, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice
National Institute of Justice: Intimate Partner Violence, Office of Justice Programs, United States Department of Justice
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Office on Violence Against Women, United States Department of Justice
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Intimate Partner Violence
Defending Childhood, United States Department of Justice
Local Community Resource Information:
Strength United (formerly the Valley Trauma Center)
14651 Oxnard Street
Van Nuys, CA 91411

24-Hour Support and Resource Phones:
San Fernando Valley – (818) 886-0453 (V/TTY)
Santa Clarita – (661) 253-0258 (V/TTY)

For additional options, see the CSUN Department of Police Services website Rape and Sexual Assault Resources.

CSUN’s discrimination response protocol varies based upon the type of discriminatory act or bias incident. Actions that fall within these categories are typically reported to Campus Police or the Office of Equity and Diversity. Leadership within these departments then notify other relevant campus personnel to form an ad-hoc issue management group. Depending upon the scope and severity of the incident, this group can include staff from Academic Affairs, Counseling Services, Resource Centers, Campus Police and local law enforcement, Human Resources, Media Relations and more. This Issue Management Group then determines the best course of action regarding investigation of the incident, communication of the incident and investigation to relevant parties, care and rehabilitation of negatively impacted parties, any modifications to campus operations and any other aspects of the incident that need to be managed.
The most immediate example of this protocol results from graffiti found in a classroom building restroom in early December. It included hateful symbols as well as a threat of a mass shooting with a specific date and location. This prompted a swift response from the university, including a campus-wide email from the CSUN Chief of Police, extensive communication and updates regarding the investigation of the incident, increased patrols and law enforcement presence at targeted areas and rescheduling of final exams and provision of alternate exam formats for students. Because of the severity of this incident, the resulting Issue Management Group contained employees from a wide variety of campus functions, and also required extensive coordination with local law enforcement, crafting statements for media outlets and regular campus-wide updates as to the status of the investigation and campus operations. Bias incidents of this scope also result in a Presidential statement to the community, which is sent out via email and posted on CSUN’s homepage. These communications are a vital demonstration of support for anyone impacted by discriminatory language or actions, and also take a strong stance against hateful language and actions. https://www.csun.edu/president/hate-filled-threat-and-symbols-academic-building-walls
Different incidents have triggered different levels of response from the campus. Responses to such incidents depend upon whether the act was criminal in nature, whether the perpetrator was a student or employee, the severity of the action, and other factors.
In an effort to offer greater support campus members in light of recent tragedies (local mass shooting, violence and threats of violence on campus, hate speech/graffiti, wildfires, and traumatic events across the nation), CSUN recently compiled a resource guide on "Coping with Ongoing Traumatic Events". This guide helps users understand their reactions to such events, provides coping strategies and directs users to support resources such as university counseling services. https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/Coping%20with%20Ongoing%20Traumatic%20Events%20-%20accessible.pdf
In these ways, CSUN upholds its discrimination response protocol to minimize the impact of bias incidents, hold accountable those responsible, and support anyone adversely impacted by such acts.

Students: https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/CSUN%20Diversity%20Initiatives.pdf
-Teaching to Increase Diversity in STEM initiative (TIDES) is a novel, joint program involving faculty from Computer Science and Music to use music as a way of encouraging women and persons from underrepresented communities to consider careers in computer or information sciences.
-AIMS^2 is a collaborative grant with two local community colleges focused on enhancing the transfer rate and graduation of underrepresented minorities in engineering and computer science. Some preliminary program assessment results show that students in the program completed more units than students in a comparison group and earned higher cumulative GPAs. They also experienced a 96.7% persistence rate vs. 78.7%. For its work in accelerating Latino/a success, the program was recognized with an honorable mention by the Excelencia Foundation in Washington, D.C. and included in its compendium of best practices that is available for use by all Hispanic Serving Institutions
-One of CSUN’s longest-running programs of its kind, the NIH-funded Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) program has been on campus since 1990. The goal of the program is to increase the number of competitively prepared traditionally underrepresented students for research careers in basic biomedical sciences.
- Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) has provided access and retention services to lowincome and first-generation college students since 1969. In recent years, EOP has developed K12 Outreach and Partnership Programs that create pipelines to the community, and transitional Bridge Programs to help facilitate students' adjustment to the university.

Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) Promoting Opportunities for Diversity in Education and Research (PODER) is a large undergraduate biomedical research training program established in 2014 by a $22 grant from the National Institutes of Health. Under the auspices of the NIH Diversity Program Consortium (DPC), BUILD PODER is one of ten NIH-funded BUILD sites that train undergraduates to become biomedical researchers.

Faculty:
CSUN's Chief Diversity Office supports the recruitment of faculty from underrepresented groups. They provide support and tools for every step of the search process, including helping departments and search committees perform the following:
Aggressively implement a comprehensive recruitment plan that uses multiple strategies and advertising mediums to increase the diversity of the applicant pool, and in turn, better ensure that the University invests in faculty excellence that is responsive to the diversity of our student population;
Develop interview questions that seek information from candidates about their experience and cultural competencies in working with diverse populations.
The office also provides diversity recruitment resources for faculty search committees, as well as resources for higher-ed job seekers within underrepresented groups.
https://www.csun.edu/eqd/faculty-hiring

The Center on Disabilities sponsors assistive technology training programs to expand the awareness of professionals and introduce newcomers to the disability field, as well as hosts the largest international conference focused on the field of assistive technology.
http://www.csun.edu/cod

Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) provides students with qualifying disabilities accommodations for classes, alternate formats of textbooks and course materials, in-class note takers, and engages in training and outreach to the CSUN campus community in order to empower students with disabilities, nurture independence and promote achievement to reach their full potential.
http://www.csun.edu/dres

The International and Exchange Student Center provides services to newly admitted and continuing international and visa students and participants of the study abroad program.
http://www.csun.edu/international/

The National Center on Deafness provides academic advisement, communication access, direct communication classes, leadership opportunities scholarships and tutoring for deaf and hard of hearing students.
http://www.csun.edu/ncod

The Veterans Resource Center assists students as they transition from military service to academic success by promoting academic, personal and professional development of student veterans, reservists, members of the National Guard and their dependents through supportive services, resources and community building events.
http://www.csun.edu/vrc

The Pride Center supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and questioning students, faculty and staff through programming and educational outreach as well as advocacy for the respect and safety of all members of the campus community.
http://www.csun.edu/pride

https://www.csun.edu/eqd/diversity-inclusion
https://www.calfac.org/caucuses

One of CSUN’s longest-running programs of its kind, the NIH-funded Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) program has been on campus since 1990. The goal of the program is to increase the number of competitively prepared traditionally underrepresented students for research careers in basic biomedical sciences. To achieve its goals, the MARC Program uses an array of research training grants and fellowships. These grants and fellowships support research training for honors undergraduates in their third and fourth years, and are intended to prepare these students to compete successfully for entry into graduate programs leading to the Ph.D. or combined M.D.-Ph.D. degree in biomedical science. In this way, the MARC program exposes members of underrepresented groups to career development opportunities essential for future faculty, enabling them to pursue faculty careers.