Ithaca College
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

It is the policy of Ithaca College to offer equal opportunity in all matters in compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, Article 15 of the Executive Law of New York State (the Human Rights Law), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other related federal, state and local legislation, executive orders, regulations, and guidelines. http://www.ithaca.edu/ogc/harassment/

Ithaca College takes bias and discrimination-related incidents seriously and will investigate them thoroughly. Responding in a timely manner to a bias-related incident will increase the chances that the investigation will be successful and that the College can hold the person(s) accountable for their actions. The college has posted instructions to encourage timely reporting, and depending upon the apparent severity, has policies in place to ensure a fair investigation and resolution. Please see this link for details on our reporting and response systems. http://www.ithaca.edu/hr/diversity/reportingincidents/

The Office of Human Resources has well established guidelines and practices in place to help us recruit a diverse and talented work force. Below is the introduction from the "Ithaca College Search and Selecttion Procedures" manual that is utilized by every search committee. "Ithaca College is committed to fostering a academic environment that values and respects difference. Accordingly, the College is responsible for improving the diversity in the work force and developing an environment where students experience the multicultural society they will enter upon graduation." "The primary expectations of the College are for students to learn and for faculty and students to conduct research and engage in scholarly activity. These endeavors are enriched by a faculty with diverse perspectives, with varied life experiences and with a rich array of teaching approaches. Such a diverse faculty, with a similar student population, will initiate new directions for research and scholarship." "Members of a high quality and diverse faculty serve collectively and individually as role models in many ways. Some students will benefit from faculty with whom they share gender or ethnic origins. All students benefit from a faculty dedicated to exploring ideas and information from diverse intellectual approaches based in part on ethnic, racial or cultural differences. The creation of this academic climate will not be easy or once achieved, always comfortable; however it will lead to the strongest possible academic environment." "The responsibility of producing a campus community with such attributes is vested in the faculty and administration. Thus, faculty, administrators, and staff play multiple roles in recruiting potential faculty, administrators, and staff; and in nurturing persons who become members of the Ithaca community. To attract high quality and diverse faculty, administrators, and staff will require much more than traditional techniques. The following diversity conscious search and selection procedures are the first essential component of a multifaceted series of programs and initiatives to attract, develop, and retain the diverse faculty, administrators, and staff we have and hope to attract to Ithaca College." The Admissions Department is also focused on recruiting and retaining a diverse and talented student body. The Diversity and Inclusion web site details a number of goals, including 1) increase underrepresented ALANA student enrollment; 2) increase international student enrollment; 3) increase the graduation rate for underrepresented ALANA students to match the six-year graduation rate of their counterparts; 4) improve the student life/residence hall experience for ALANA/LGBT students; and 5) create a physical campus environment that recognizes and celebrates diversity. Additional information is available at this web site: http://www.ithaca.edu/diversity/statement/. Please see this link for details

The Multicultural Affairs office offers a variety of support services and programs are geared towards the personal and academic success of African, Latino/a, Asian, and Native American (ALANA) students. http://www.ithaca.edu/sacl/osema/multicultural/ The establishment of the Center for the Study of Culture, Race, and Ethnicity, and the Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Education, Outreach and Services (LGBT) supports greater understanding of diverse populations and reflects the goals of a sustainable society. Opportunities exist to develop courses that explore the links between sustainability and diversity. The establishment of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholars Program continues to bring a diverse group of talented, engaged, and intelligent students to the College. The study-abroad opportunities offered through the Office of International Programs promote global perspectives and openness to ideas such as sustainability in a manner that helps to attract diverse student, faculty, and staff to the College. The Interfaith Council promotes cooperation, respect, and goodwill between all religious communities at the College. The council sponsors speakers, retreats, and presentations aimed at bringing students of all beliefs together to better understand issues of ethics, morality, and spirituality. African Latino Society (ALS) African Students Association Amani Gospel Singers Asian American Alliance (AAA) Brothers4Brothers (B4B) Caribbean Student Association (CSA) IC Community Church Leadership Program Leadership Enterprise for Achievement & Diversity (LEAD) in Education PODER: Latino Student Association Sister2Sister (S2S) Spit That! Student-to-Student Mentoring Program The Office of Human Resources provides support to faculty and staff through the Diversity Awareness Committee. We also partner with a number of off-campus partners to provide additional support, including the Multicultural Resource Center, Challenge Workforce Solutions, and Tompkins Community Action.

In 2010-2011, the School of Humanities and Sciences initiated a new predoctoral diversity fellowship program. Four scholars in anthropology, art history, sociology, and speech communication were in residence to teach classes, work with students, and complete their dissertations. According to Dean Leslie Lewis, "We expect that this program will introduce a large number of future faculty members to Ithaca College, will help to increase the diversity of our applicant pool for future faculty hiring, and will help to establish the College as a leading supporter of diversity in higher education. [We] anticipate that our fellows will add exciting dimensions to the curriculum, bring their enthusiasm to the classroom, and add to the intellectual vibrancy of H&S and the College."