Florida Institute of Technology
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

- The full Non-Discrimination Policy at Florida Institute of Technology ("Florida Tech" or "University") is posted in the url below. Key attributes of the policy include:
"... prohibits students, employees, contractors, volunteers, and visitors (collectively, "community members") from engaging in discrimination and harassment based on any individual's race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, and any other legally protected characteristic.
This prohibition applies to all of the University's educational programs and activities—including admissions, as well as all employment actions, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, and benefits. Florida Tech will investigate all complaints made under this policy and, if necessary, take action to prevent the recurrence of prohibited discrimination, harassment, or retaliation and remedy its effects.
- The above is included within this link: https://www.fit.edu/policies/compliance-and-risk-management/nondiscrimination-policy-and-complaint-procedures/#:~:text=Policy%20of%20Non-discrimination%20Florida%20Institute%20of%20Technology%20%28%22Florida,veteran%20status%2C%20and%20any%20other%20legally%20protected%20characteristic.
Additionally:
- Based on the university Equal Opportunity policy. A member of the administration, faculty, or staff that receives a complaint of discrimination or harassment shall immediately forward such complaint to the appropriate University Designated Official listed above.
- Complaints involving sexual harassment and gender discrimination as defined by the Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy shall be addressed exclusively through that policy and process. This policy addresses all other forms of sex-based discrimination, including sex-based harassment that does not rise to the level of Sexual Harassment as defined in the Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy.
- Complaints of disability discrimination, including disability harassment, involving students, employees, or third parties will be processed pursuant to the procedures below, which constitute the College's Section 504 grievance procedures. Complaints of all other forms of discrimination and harassment will also be processed pursuant to the procedures set forth below.
- A complaint may also be filed with the above listed offices against institutional service providers, vendors, and other contractors. In such instances, Florida Tech shall determine, within its discretion, appropriate response and action.
- Complaints involving prohibited discrimination, including harassment or retaliation, against a group or class of individuals, reflecting an apparent pattern and practice of discrimination, shall be investigated and addressed pursuant to these procedures by Florida Tech regardless of whether there is an identified complaintant.

Our EEO/Discrimination/Harassment team is led by by the university's Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX and Equal Opportunities Office responds to all reports of discrimination and harassment by reaching out to the individual(s) who have experienced or witnessed the bias-motivated incident within 24 hours to offer the following:
- Threat Assessment and Interim Protective Measures:
Conduct an initial meeting to determine if immediate action may be necessary to protect the rights, interests, or safety of the Complainant or if there is significant threat of harm to the health, safety, and welfare of others or to the campus community, and whether interim measures are necessary to alleviate or mitigate that risk. \
- Support Measures:
Offer supportive measures to the victim or witness including but not limited to:
a. Change of class schedule
b. Administrative withdrawal or incomplete
c. Housing accommodations
d. Change in supervision
e. Additional time to make up assignments
f. Modifications to work schedules
g. No Contact Orders
h. Other reasonable measures based on individual(s) needs
- Confidentiality and Additional Resources:
Those affected by bias incidents, acts of discrimination or hate crimes have the option to request confidentiality and the university will work to ensure their identities are kept confidential, more details in the web-posted Non-Discrimination Policy. The university also connects those affected with confidential counseling and other advocate/support/affiliate groups and organizations on and off campus for additional support.
Additional discrimination support information is contained within:
https://www.fit.edu/policies/compliance-and-risk-management/nondiscrimination-policy-and-complaint-procedures/#:~:text=Policy%20of%20Non-discrimination%20Florida%20Institute%20of%20Technology%20%28%22Florida,veteran%20status%2C%20and%20any%20other%20legally%20protected%20characteristic.

Florida Tech ROTC goes to Title 1 schools to educate and recruit potential students. The Academic Sustainability program also works in a nearby Title 1 middle school in part to show underserved students STEM opportunities they may be unaware of. Florida Tech is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. The university actively promotes Equal Opportunity policies and practices conforming to federal, state and local laws against discrimination.

Over 20 campus organizations geared to underrepresented groups include:
Black in STEM: The Black in STEM Collective seeks to support, uplift, and amplify Black STEM professionals through professional development, career connection, and community engagement.

Black Student Union: The purpose of our organization is to unite the Black American students and faculty on Florida Tech's main campus and highlight Black American culture, past and present.

Brazilian Student Association: The Brazilian Student Association's goals are: Share Brazil’s rich cultural diversity and help promoting Internationalization at FIT and in the USA, Provide support for current and prospective Brazilian Students, Collaborate with other organizations to promote social and cultural events, Establish and Strengthen relationships between FIT and Brazilian Universities and play an active role among the International community on campus.

Caribbean Student Association: The Caribbean Students' Association of Florida Tech is an organization comprising of native and generational Caribbean students, as well as those students with a general interest and passion for learning and engaging in Caribbean culture.

Chinese Student Scholarship Association: Chinese Students Association dedicates to supporting all students and scholars from China as well as other international students. At the same time, we would love to escort all friends from the world to explore the profound Chinese culture.

Florida Tech’s Mishpacha: A community interested in learning more about Judaism, culture, and giving a space for Jewish students to celebrate and study Torah together.

Indian Student Association: Sanskriti, the Indian Student Association at Florida Tech welcomes you. Sanskriti is one of the largest and most active organizations here at Florida Tech.At ISA, we actively spread and share India’s rich cultural heritage. Apart from hosting a range of cultural and sports activities, Sanskriti also takes the initiative to help new students provide guidance and help.ISA helps new students to the best of its ability, right from answering basic questions to providing advice on accommodation and transportation for new students. It is our goal to make every new student feel at home.

It’s On Us: It's On Us is dedicated to raising awareness and prevention of sexual assault on campus!

Korean Student Association: Korean Student Association(KSA) is to create an improved environment for Korean students to actively achieve their goal. And we communicate with other people and organizations to introduce Korean culture.

Latin American Student Association: LASA is an organization dedicated to promoting social, intellectual, and cultural activities for Latin American students and scholars. Our goal is to assist all students in transitioning into the university system and encouraging diversity on a new level at Florida Tech by contributing to the awareness of individual uniqueness.

Omani Student Association: The Omani Student Association is an association that brings the Omanis together and represents the Omani student body at Florida Tech by building and strengthening awareness of Omani culture in Melbourne, FL, and promoting the diverse language, culture, and history of Oman through university service by hosting social, culture, and educational events. OSA will encourage friendship, leadership, and culture exchange among students and other clubs and organizations.

Rainbow Alliance: The people of Rainbow Alliance believe that the diversity in the human experience should be celebrated! We look to support, advocate for, and provide programming and education for all those under or supporting the rainbow community: including LGBTQ+, GSRM, and allied students, alumni, staff, and faculty. By creating a welcoming and positive atmosphere for discussion, inclusive to people from all walks of life, we believe that humanity can blossom into something more beautiful.

Saudi Students Union: Saudi Students Union is one of Florida Tech organizations that care about Saudi students in FIT from activities and entertainments perspective. In addition to providing information about the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to all people around the campus and the community.

Society for Women in Marine Science: SWMS brings together marine scientists of all career levels to discuss the diverse experiences of women in marine science, celebrate the research done by women in the field, and promote the visibility of women in the marine science community.

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers: SHPE Florida Tech Student Chapter is an organization dedicated to involving engineering students in the professional world. SHPE empowers students to develop and participate in academic, cultural, and service programs within the university. Likewise, SHPE benefits students seeking technical degrees by building connections with industries. Lastly, SHPE can be seen not only as a forum for the exchange of information pertinent to engineering/science students enrolled at Florida Institute of Technology, but also as a culturally diverse environment where Hispanic culture is promoted.

Society of Women Engineers: SWE is “the world’s largest advocate for women in engineering and technology.” The Florida Tech chapter of SWE promotes women in STEM and allows members to network, volunteer, and connect with each other.
Our chapter is associated with the Society of Women Engineers Space Coast chapter. We attend WE Local and WE National conferences, which are the largest conferences nationwide for women in engineering. We also offer volunteer opportunities with local organizations and schools to promote engineering and technology fields to future generations.


Women in Aviation: The Space Coast Florida Tech Chapter of Women in Aviation is a group of women and men aviation enthusiasts. We meet every two weeks and plan fun aviation and aerospace events and organize aviation and aerospace professionals to come and speak to the group. Some annual events include field trips to ATC towers and TRACONs, attending air shows, and going to the Kennedy Space Center. Members enjoy fellowship, networking, chances at scholarships, and the opportunity to have some memorable and fun experiences.

Women in STEM Committee: The WiSTEM Committee is designed to promote and support women in basic, applied, and health sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics at Florida Tech.

The Academic Support Center is open for all students for tutoring needs.

CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) supports the university’s mission of student success by promoting the best possible academic, vocational, and emotional health for Florida Tech students.

Active Minds is the nation’s only nonprofit organization dedicated to utilizing the student voice to raise mental health awareness among college students and to help remove the stigma associated with mental illness.

ISSS (International Student and Scholar Services) provide support for international students and scholars to enable them to achieve their educational goals and objectives. The university encourages international and U.S. students to learn from one another, and play a role to expand the university's appreciation for cultural diversity.

There are various locations on campus for prayer. There is a chapel (Christianity) on the premises, a small chapel/prayer room at Mary Star (Resident Hall) and a prayer room in the Crawford Building (Islam).

Diversity Committee
The School of Psychology is committed to providing our students and faculty with an educational environment that promotes respect and appreciation for the tremendous diversity found in our world. As such, the School of Psychology sponsors the Diversity Committee -- an active committee composed of faculty and students devoted to fostering a climate of appreciation and respect for human equality for all individuals regardless of race, color, disability, national origin, religion, age, sex, and sexual orientation. The committee works to promote diversity awareness and provide diversity-related information and programs to students within the School of Psychology and throughout the campus.
http://diversity.fit.edu/

Military and Veterans Resources provides the best possible service to students eligible for Veterans Education Benefits. We serve as a liaison between the veteran and the VA Regional Processing Office. There is also the Center for Combat Veteran Resilience that is organized into four components to include the following: Consultation, Education and Training, Applied Research and Clinical Services. The Combat Veterans Advanced Practicum Team offers counseling and psychological services to veterans and their families following deployment.

The Office of Disability Services (ODS) is designated to register and assist any student with a “qualified” learning, physical, and/or psychological disability.

Also the College of Business, features some projects, such as ‘Did You Know’, that shares different bits of information about various students’ culture in the form of videos and posters.

The following are offered for Faculty and Staff:

Diversity Committee
The School of Psychology is committed to providing our students and faculty with an educational environment that promotes respect and appreciation for the tremendous diversity found in our world. As such, the School of Psychology sponsors the Diversity Committee -- an active committee composed of faculty and students devoted to fostering a climate of appreciation and respect for human equality for all individuals regardless of race, color, disability, national origin, religion, age, sex, and sexual orientation. The committee works to promote diversity awareness and provide diversity-related information and programs to students within the School of Psychology and throughout the campus.
http://diversity.fit.edu/

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Worklife Services for ICUBA
Counseling and Relationship Support
_Unlimited, toll‐free telephonic access to EAP dedicated staff, 24 hours per day
_Telephonic access to licensed behavioral health professionals
_Support, consultation and resources for stress, family relationship issues, anger management, substance abuse, and helping you balance work and home life
_Direct access to a full range of Web‐based tools and resources, such as easy‐to‐find information, self‐assessments and more, on a variety of relevant topics
_6 face to face counseling sessions per issue per year, with licensed network professionals, at no cost to you; i.e., no co-pays or deductibles

Affirmative Action Policy Statement
As part of the university's commitment to this overall process, it will seek to ensure that all aspects of employment, including recruitment, selection, job assignment, training, compensation, benefits, discipline, promotion, transfer, layoff and termination processes remain free of illegal discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin, genetic information, disability (as defined under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) or protected veteran status (as defined under Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974). Florida Institute of Technology ensures that all employment decisions are based only on valid job requirements. Regular review helps to ensure compliance with this policy.

Information from AY 22-23. Data sourced from the Florida Tech Non-Discrimination website; Office of Title IX, Dennis Kwarteng, Coordinator; University General Counsel, Ryan Petersen; Human Resources Department; Diversity Committee; Student Life Office; Academic Sustainability Program; and Office of Residence Life. Information processed by April-May Sullins.
- http://www.fit.edu/title-ix/
- https://www.fit.edu/policies/compliance-and-risk-management/nondiscrimination-policy-and-complaint-procedures/#:~:text=Policy%20of%20Non-discrimination%20Florida%20Institute%20of%20Technology%20%28%22Florida,veteran%20status%2C%20and%20any%20other%20legally%20protected%20characteristic.