Lehigh University
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Lehigh University Non-Discrimination Statement and Title IX Notice of Non-Discrimination Non-Discrimination Statement Lehigh University upholds The Principles of Our Equitable Community and is committed to providing an educational, working, co-curricular, social, and living environment for all students, staff, faculty, trustees, contract workers, and visitors that is free from harassment and discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital or familial status, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Such harassment or discrimination is unacceptable behavior and will not be tolerated. The University strongly encourages (and, depending upon the circumstances, may require) students, faculty, staff or visitors who experience or witness harassment or discrimination, or have information about harassment or discrimination in University programs or activities, to immediately report such conduct. Reports or inquiries should be made to: Karen A. Salvemini Equal Opportunity Compliance Coordinator1 Alumni Memorial Building / 610.758.3535 / eocc@lehigh.edu In the event that the conduct involves the Equal Opportunity Compliance Coordinator, reports should be made to: Judy A. Zavalydriga Human Resources Investigator 306 South New Street / 610.758.3897 / jaz308@lehigh.edu The University takes steps to ensure that a hostile environment on these bases does not exist on or in its programs and activities and to respond effectively to formal and informal allegations of harassment or discrimination. The University will promptly investigate complaints or incidents of such harassment or discrimination and will take prompt and appropriate measures, including disciplinary action, against individuals found to have engaged in harassment or discrimination. Lehigh University will take action reasonably designed to end a hostile environment if one has been created, prevent its recurrence, and, when appropriate, take steps to remedy its effects on individuals and the campus community. The University encourages students and employees to work together to prevent harassment and discrimination in any University program or activity, including all academic, extra-curricular, and University-sponsored activities. 1The Equal Opportunity Compliance Coordinator serves as the Title IX Coordinator, ADA and Section 504 Coordinator, and the Age Act Coordinator. Title IX Notice of Non-Discrimination Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 ("Title IX") prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity. This prohibition includes the exclusion form participation, or denial of the benefits of, a federally funded education program or activity on the basis of sex. Sexual harassment, which includes sexual violence, is a form of sex discrimination. Lehigh University, as a recipient of federal funds, complies with Title IX and has designated the following individual to serve as the Title IX Coordinator: Karen A. Salvemini Equal Opportunity Compliance Coordinator Alumni Memorial Building 27 Memorial Drive West Bethlehem, PA 18015 (610) 758-3535 eocc@lehigh.edu Any student, employee, or applicant for employment or admission to Lehigh University who believes that he or she has been discriminated against on the basis or sex may file a complaint with the Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator will assist the complainant in identifying the appropriate Lehigh University policy and corresponding grievance procedure to resolve the complaint in a prompt and equitable manner. The Title IX Coordinator may consult with other Lehigh University administrators, as needed, resolve the complaint in the most effective manner. Additional Resources for Sexual Violence For complaints involving sexual violence, a complainant may contact the Title IX Coordinator, or the complainant many also contact the following: Lehigh University Police Department Advocates Gender Violence Reporting Form 321 E. Packer Avenue (610) 758-4763 lehigh.edu/go/genderviolencereport Bethlehem, PA 18015 (610) 758-4200 For complaints involving sexual violence, a complainant may also contact the following confidential sources: Counseling & Psychological Services Chaplain's Office Johnson Hall, 4th Floor The Dialogue Center (610) 758-3880 (601) 758-3877 For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/CFAPPS/OCR/contactus.cfm for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1-800-421-3481. The non-discrimination statement is accessible online at: https://generalcounsel.lehigh.edu/lehigh-university-non-discrimination-statement-and-title-ix-notice-non-discrimination

At Lehigh, we take the health, safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff very seriously. It is for this reason that Lehigh has specific resources to respond to and support those who have experienced or witnessed a bias incident, act of discrimination, or hate crime. If an individual experiences or witnesses harassment, discrimination, or sexual misconduct and would like to make a report, there are several ways to do so: 1. One of the reporting options is to call the Lehigh University Police Department (LUPD) at 610-758-4200. LUPD is available 24/7, 365 per year. LUPD is committed to providing a safe and secure environment on and around campus. 2. Specifically for situations of sex discrimination involving students, another reporting option is to contact the Gender Violence Support Advocates at 610-758-4763. The Advocates are a network of dedicated staff members who are specifically trained to work with survivors with initial support and referrals to additional resources. 3. Another option is to contact the Equal Opportunity Compliance Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator at 610-758-3535 or at ineocc@lehigh.edu. 4. There are also two online reporting forms that can be completed and submitted to report an incident of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or gender violence: the Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation, or Bias Incident Reporting form and the Gender Violence Reporting form. When submitting either of these forms, notification is received by the University and LUPD simultaneously, triggering both a University response and a criminal response, if appropriate. 5. All staff, faculty, administrators, teaching assistants, graduate assistants, research assistants, gryphons (also known as RAs) and other University representatives must immediately report incidents of harassment or discrimination that are brought to their attention by students or that are reporting to them or witnessed by them involving students. In addition, all supervisors must immediately report such incidents that are brought to their attention by any member of the University community. 6. If an individual does not want a report made to the LUPD or to the University, there are two confidential resources available on campus for students (Counseling & Psychological Services and the Chaplain's Office) and one confidential resource for staff (Integrated Behavioral Health). These offices are not required to report the information shared to them to the policy or to University officials. Additionally, there are resources available to support individuals (faculty, staff, and students) who have experienced harassment or discrimination. These include: CONFIDENTIAL RESOURCES LEHIGH (For Students): - Counseling & Psychological Services Johnson Hall, 4th Floor 610-758-3880 - Chaplain’s Office The Dialogue Center, 661 Taylor Street 610-758-3877 LEHIGH (For Faculty and Staff): - Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) Employee Assistance Program 1-800-395-1616 COMMUNITY (For Faculty, Staff, and Students): - Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley 801 Hamilton Street, Suite 300 Allentown, PA 18101 610-437-6610 610-437-6611 (24 hour hotline) - Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley 444 E. Susquehanna Street Allentown, PA 18103 1-877-438-4957 TTY: 610-882-2465 610-437-3369 (24 hour hotline) NON-CONFIDENTIAL RESOURCES LEHIGH (For Students): - Lehigh University Police Department 321 E. Packer Avenue 610-758-4200 - Equal Opportunity Compliance Coordinator / Title IX Coordinator Alumni Memorial Building 610-758-3535 eocc@lehigh.edu - Office of Gender Violence Education & Support University Center, c109 610-758-1303 ingves@lehigh.edu -Advocates 610-758-4763 - Center for Gender Equity University Center, c209/210 610-758-6484 inwnc@lehigh.edu - Office of Multicultural Affairs University Center, c203 610-758-5973 inmca@lehigh.edu - The Pride Center University Center, c212 610-758-4126 rainbowroom@lehigh.edu - Dean of Students Office Williams Hall, Suite 380 610-758-4156 indost@lehigh.edu - Office of Student Conduct & Community Expectations Williams Hall, Suite 320 610-758-4632 hat214@lehigh.edu - Office of Academic Support Williams Hall, Suite 390 610-758-4159 - Health and Wellness Center Johnson Hall, 3rd Floor 610-758-3870 inluhc@lehigh.edu Education of the Lehigh community on the topics of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and sexual misconduct, and encouraging the reporting of these types of behaviors are top priorities. In June 2015, Lehigh adopted the revised Policy on Harassment and Non-Discrimination. Education on these topics occurs through both in-person and online training, as well as through passive campaigns, brochures, posters, emails to the community, and other methods. During orientation sessions, in collaboration with the Office of Gender Violence Education & Support, all first year students, transfer students, and graduate students were introduced to the University's definition of sexual harassment, reporting options, resources, and University processes and procedures. Gryphons (also known as RAs) and orientation leaders were also trained on these topics prior to the commencement of the academic year. Throughout the year, the Equal Opportunity Compliance Coordinators and the Director of the Office of Gender Violence Education & Support also conduct numerous training sessions for many other students. During various orientation programs, new faculty and new academic department chairs were provided with information about the Policy on Harassment and Non-Discrimination, including their reporting responsibilities. In addition, various staff members and departments receive training on the Policy on Harassment and Non-Discrimination throughout the academic year. University policy provides for the resolution of complaints through formal or informal resolution processes, depending on the circumstances of each case. The vast majority of cases that move forward to resolution are typically resolved through informal means, such as mediated conversations, targeted educational sessions and trainings, University no-contact orders, and similar methods. The formal process involves the investigation of a complaint that has been prepared and filed with the Equal Opportunity Compliance Coordinator by the complainant. An investigation is conducted by the Equal Opportunity Compliance Coordinator and a trained co-investigator. Notice of the complaint and applicable policies and procedures are provided to the parties. Investigators conduct interviews and review and gather evidence. They prepare a report containing factual findings and recommendations of University policy violations. A decision-maker reviews the report and determines if it is more likely than not that a violation of University policy occurred. If a violation of policy is found, an appropriate sanction and/or remedy is determined. Parties are notified of outcomes and have the right to appeal. In addition, targeted educational efforts and other initiatives are implemented to address specific trends that are observed based on reported incidents and climate survey data. These trends may be based on various factors such as accused population, location of incidents, etc. Data is regularly reviewed by the Equal Opportunity Compliance Coordinator to determine shifts and changes in these trends. More information about the response to incidents of discrimination can be found in the applicable University policies, available at eocc.lehigh.edu/policies.

Lehigh has a comprehensive "Diversity Recruitment: A Resource Guide" (https://hr.lehigh.edu/sites/hr.lehigh.edu/files/2016%20Diversity%20Recruitment%20Guide.pdf) for recruiting faculty and staff from underrepresented groups. See attached. This guide reflects Lehigh's growing commitment toward creating a diverse environment. Lehigh's diversity mission statement continues to express this notion by stating that Lehigh University, an institution committed to educational excellence and learning, will actively promote an inclusive community that values, affirms, and advances the diverse backgrounds, interests, experiences, and aspirations of all its members. At Lehigh, we keep diversity in mind in every search. We post every position on 9 different diversity websites and also pay another 50% of any additional diversity advertising approved from the supervisor. We ensure that the pool has an adequate percentage of diverse candidates within it prior to calling in candidates for interviews. If it does not, we suggest more outreach. Once we move to the interview stage, we also confirm that the selected candidates are a diverse group. We also send weekly emails to various community based organizations containing a listing of our open positions. Additionally, Lehigh has a number of programs aimed at recruiting students from underrepresented groups: Posse Scholars: Posse is a nationwide program that helps underrepresented students with the college search process by giving them access to schools they might not typically explore otherwise. Scholars who come to Lehigh via the Posse Program are assigned to a faculty or staff mentor who meets regularly with them during the first two years at Lehigh, and usually throughout students’ whole academic career at Lehigh. This is upcoming academic year, 2018, we will welcome the first official cohort of Posse hailing from San Francisco, CA. CBO Summit: The mission of CBO summit is to develop a stronger relationship between Lehigh’s admissions department and community based organizations. We will strive to educate on Lehigh’s practices, enhance our programming through counselor feedback while strengthening, creating, and maintaining relationships. Diversity Achievers Program (DAP): The purpose of DAP is to give underrepresented students from all over the country a chance to visit Lehigh and to speak to current students about what it’s like to be a student here. This is an overnight program for the students, and they have the opportunity to stay with current students while they are on campus. While they are here they have a chance to interview, go to student panels, go to classes with current students, and meet with their regional admissions representative. Lehigh pays for all of these students to visit campus. Advanced College Experience (ACE): The purpose of ACE is to expose underrepresented SOC students who work with CBOs (Community Based Organizations) primarily in the tri-state area to the application process through case studies and student panels. CBO counselors are also asked to visit campus at the same time, and sit in on financial aid case studies as well as learn more about specific offerings to LU such as LUSSI (Lehigh’s summer program). Students will then attend a home football game. Diversity Life Weekend “D-Life”: The purpose of D-Life is to give admitted SOC students, who may not have the resources to visit campus, an opportunity to come to Lehigh and to learn more about the culture and campus. They visit on the same weekend as our regular admitted student program and have the opportunity to participate in the same events as the other students on campus. While on campus students get information about financial aid, explore campus, meet with current students, and have time to interact with other admitted students. This is also an overnight program, so D-Life students stay with current students while they are on campus. This is a Thursday-Sunday event. *Thurs. arrivals are students from the west coast. LUSSI:The Lehigh University Student Scholars Institute starts with a three-week intensive college preparatory experience designed for incoming first year students who identify as first generation and/or low income. In addition to their academic potential, these students show much promise in the areas of leadership and community/civic engagement. Hosted by the Provost's office and the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the program provides an academic and social orientation to the life at Lehigh, and promotes personal growth and educational achievement. During the summer session, students will work closely with Lehigh Professors as they attend classes and work on projects and research opportunities that expose them to the rigors and culture of Lehigh University. The Institute also prepares students for leadership and community engagement through weekly seminars, while helping them access the various resources Lehigh has to offer. The summer preparatory experience also includes a weekly professional development series, allowing students to start and refine their professional profiles as students and future leaders. Beyond the summer portion of LUSSI, the Provost's Office and Office of Multicultural Affairs work in collaboration with academic offices and student affairs to provide students with a variety of experiential enrichment activities, such as tutoring, leadership retreats, a mentorship program as well as a capstone project to better assist in the adjustment and sucess of each individual at Lehigh University. International recruitment: Four counselors visited 25 different countries and 48 different high schools. We attended college fairs and presentations through independent counselors and organizations. Visits with CBOs around the country: Visits are encouraged for each counselor in every region, visits consists of but not limited to information session, interviews, case studies and application workshops. Admissions Ambassadors/ Diplomats: Current Lehigh students trained to assist with diversity recruitment efforts. Their duties include but not limited to sitting on student panels, hosting prospective students for overnight programs and providing interviews.

The Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) serves as an integral resource, advocate, and vehicle of support for the Lehigh community on issues of multiculturalism and diversity. The OMA promotes a community aware of and sensitive to the multifaceted needs of Lehigh students. Identifying itself as an agent of transformation, the OMA challenges individuals to personally and communally grow, exploring multiculturalism and determining their unique role in achieving social justice. (http://studentaffairs.lehigh.edu/oma) The Office of First-Year Experience (OFYE) provides students with resources and support during their first year at the University and plans orientation and events throughout the academic year to support first-year students’ living and learning experiences. The OFYE’s first-year programming, known as “evoLUtion,” promotes and introduces first-year students to issues of diversity, inclusion, and community. (http://studentaffairs.lehigh.edu/ofye) Established at Lehigh in 1991, the Center for Gender Equity continues to provide students a space for education and activism around women's and gender issues. Located in the hub of the University Center, our dynamic student staff collaborates with several departments and student organizations, including the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Pride Center. Focusing on transferable skills and content, student staff dream up, develop, implement, and assess 90% of all the Center for Gender Equity's programs and initiatives. (https://diversityandinclusion.lehigh.edu/center-gender-equity) The Pride Center for Sexual Orientation & Gender Diversity exists to build a just, equitable world through community building and the pursuit of change. We work to create a world where people of all genders and sexualities are able to thrive as their full, authentic selves. (https://diversityandinclusion.lehigh.edu/pride-center) The mission of the Student Access and Success office is to expand access to the university for all underrepresented groups with a focus on first generation and lower-income students and to insure that a support system is in place, which enables these students to have an enriching and successful Lehigh experience. This work involves developing and implementing a comprehensive set of university-wide strategies addressing recruitment and admission, financial aid, student life, academic coaching and advisement, and postgraduate support. The office will coordinate all work related to supporting the American Talent Initiative and the Managing Director will serve as Lehigh’s representative to ATI. (https://diversityandinclusion.lehigh.edu/studentsuccess) The Graduate Life Office exists to enhance the academic, personal, and professional development of Lehigh graduate students through providing a range of programs, activities, events, and workshops related to diversity, inclusion and community. (http://gradlife.web.lehigh.edu/) The Faculty and Staff of Color Network (FSCN) offers support and resources to welcome and foster a greater sense of community with faculty and staff of color on Lehigh's campus. Goals and purpose of the group includes: building a supportive network of faculty and staff; providing professional development; hosting social events that increase networking and retention; and strengthening bridges to other institutions in the Lehigh Valley. The Faculty/Staff Pride Network (FSPN) is a place of support for LGBTQ+ faculty and staff as well as allies and advocates who are interested in fostering and sustaining a welcoming and affirming climate on campus for LGBTQ+ people. Learn more about our upcoming events by signing up for our listserv; all are welcome! Women's Network at Lehigh for support and discussion of topics such as Equity, Career Advancement, and Work-Life Balance. Lehigh University is one of seven 2010 recipients of an NSF ADVANCE Institutional Transformation Grant. Lehigh’s proposal “Building Community Beyond Academic Departments” focuses on harnessing the strengths of interdisciplinarity to enhance recruitment, retention, and the advancement of women faculty in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields at Lehigh. At Lehigh University, STEM includes the NSF funded disciplines of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, Sociology/Anthropology, Economics, and the disciplines within the College of Engineering. Lehigh ADVANCE will evaluate Lehigh's climate and policies, conduct social science research, and make recommendations for best practices to transform the University over the past five years. The overarching goals of the grant are to: - transform Lehigh through improved recruitment, retention, career satisfaction and leadership development of early- to mid-career women faculty in STEM. - contribute to the national dialogue and social science scholarship by examining if interdisciplinary organization can create a critical mass and more equitable work environment for women STEM faculty if facilitated by vigorous search strategies, proactive evaluation policies, and mentoring and networking programs geared to interdisciplinary research and teaching. We are now in the post grant years of ADVANCE and most of the initiatives are being institutionalized. The creation of the Council for Equity and Community (CEC) was the initiative by President Gast to give increased attention and focus to issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion at Lehigh and the means to address them in a systematic and coordinated manner. The 2008 inception of the CEC was a tangible and broad-based initiative that has been critical in shaping the dialog on diversity, equity, and inclusion at Lehigh. As CEC enters its sixth year, the university stands willing to strengthen the role and mission of CEC as well as make further advances in creating a more diverse and inclusive community. In our university community, the undercurrent for any work revolving around diversity and inclusion has been that no one office or individual is solely responsible for this work. Rather, as students, staff and faculty, we are all active participants in this endeavor and thus contribute to and benefit from this community of respect. CEC plays an important coordinating role to make this a reality. Lehigh University welcomes students with disabilities and is committed to providing the same opportunities to all Lehigh students. Policies and procedures have been developed to provide students with as much independence as possible and to promote self-advocacy. At Disability Support Services, we work closely with students who self-identify in order to ensure equal access to University programs activities and services.

Lehigh ADVANCE Recruitment: Lehigh University was one of seven 2010 recipients of an NSF ADVANCE Institutional Transformation Grant. Lehigh’s proposal “Building Community Beyond Academic Departments” focuses on harnessing the strengths of interdisciplinarity to enhance recruitment, retention, and the advancement of women faculty in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields at Lehigh. At Lehigh University, STEM includes the NSF funded disciplines of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, Sociology/Anthropology, Economics, and the disciplines within the College of Engineering. Lehigh ADVANCE will evaluate Lehigh's climate and policies, conduct social science research, and make recommendations for best practices to transform the University over the next five years. Lehigh ADVANCE will also provide funds to departments and interdisciplinary programs to invite advanced women graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in STEM to give seminars and become familiar with Lehigh, with the purpose of networking and making connections with potential female candidates for upcoming faculty positions, which encourages the participation of women in higher education and future faculty positions. Lehigh ADVANCE “Building Community Beyond Academic Departments program” is part of a national push to increase the ranks of women in academic science and engineering careers. The overarching goals are to: • transform Lehigh through improved recruitment, retention, career satisfaction and leadership development of early- to mid-career women faculty in STEM. • contribute to the national dialogue and social science scholarship by examining if interdisciplinary organization can create a critical mass and more equitable work environment for women STEM faculty if facilitated by vigorous search strategies, proactive evaluation policies, and mentoring and networking programs geared to interdisciplinary research and teaching. Full proposal: http://advance.cc.lehigh.edu/sites/advance.cc.lehigh.edu/files/LehighADVANCEproposal_10.27.10_0.pdf

List of gender neutral bathrooms can be found here: https://gisweb2.cc.lehigh.edu/restrooms/ Lehigh University's Residential Services and Residence Life teams are committed to working with all students to ensure their on-campus housing arrangements meet their needs and provide a safe and harassment-free living environment. With the understanding that all students have different needs, both admitted and returning students are encouraged to contact Christina D'Aversa at cnb5@lehigh.edu or 610-758-3500 to discuss options for living on-campus. Because of space limitations, students who contact Residential Services early in the housing assignment process will have more flexibility in their options. Options for housing are dependent on vacancies and availability, and could include the following: ​A single room with a private bathroom on a single-gendered floor A single room with a common bathroom on a single-gendered floor A double, triple, or quad room with a common bathroom on a single-gendered floor A double, triple, or quad room with a common bathroom on an all-gender floor A double room with a private bathroom on a single-gendered floor A suite-style room (4 people) with a shared bathroom on an all-gender floor An apartment-style room (2, 3, or 4 people) with a shared bathroom on an all-gender floor (https://diversityandinclusion.lehigh.edu/pride-center/translu)