Colgate University
PA-5: Diversity and Equity Coordination

(A) The Office of Equity and Diversity is tasked with promoting a diverse and inclusive campus community by fostering understanding and respect, ensuring compliance with policies regarding affirmative action, discrimination and harassment, and attracting and retaining diverse faculty, staff and student population.

Some activities and goals of the Office of Equity and Diversity include:
1. Strengthening diversity recruitment efforts
2. Responding to concerns regarding equity and diversity, including perceived discrimination and harassment
3. Offering diversity education opportunities for the Colgate community.
4. Coordinating campus-wide efforts to promote a welcoming and inclusive climate.
5. Assessing the progress of ongoing diversity efforts
6. Developing strategies to communicate and publicize Colgate’s diversity achievements.
7. Offering dual-career assistance

(B) The Equity Grievance Panel consists of faculty and staff members whom an individual can reach out to with concerns regarding diversity and inclusion, including discrimination and harassment or sexual assault.

Panel members are trained in all aspects of the grievance process to:
1. Provide sensitive intake and initial counseling of complaints
2. Participate in conflict resolution
3. Investigate complaints
4. Act as advisers to those involved in complaints
5. Serve on hearing panels for complaints, and
6. Serve on appellate panels.

EGP members also recommend proactive policies and serve in an educative role for the community. EGP members receive annual training organized by the Title IX Coordinator, including a review of Colgate policies and procedures so that they are able to provide accurate information to members of the community. All EGP members are required to attend this annual training. All administrative advisers also undergo training with the panel regardless of whether they are formally appointed to the panel.

All first-year students participate in a program called Colgate Conversations during Orientation week. Colgate Conversations is a dialogue-based activity where Colgate faculty, staff and students guide first-year students in unpacking and reflecting on their different backgrounds, identities, and life experiences.

Colgate University also hosts a brown bag series during the academic year that adopts the principles of Intergroup Dialogue (IGD). Faculty, staff, and students are all invited to have a conversation about a specific topic that centers on issues of identity, diversity, and inclusion at Colgate University.

Diversity training, harassment training, IGD workshops, teaching tables and faculty reading groups are available to all Colgate employees. All full-time Colgate Staff also undergo an EGP training during orientation.