Raritan Valley Community College
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Sister to Sister and Brothers Helping Brothers: Sister to Sister and Brothers Helping Brothers programs maintain a supportive environment for students and promotes academic achievement, greater engagement and personal well-being of students of color through a wide range of services. Throughout the year, the Dean of Multicultural Affairs and Academic Counselor, Jeff Warren worked with students to improve retention and graduation rates by assisting students during key transitional periods in their academic careers. Both Sister to Sister and Brothers Helping Brothers programs work collaboratively to address closing the achievement gap and increasing retention for students of color. MILE (Multicultural Initiative for Leadership & Excellence) MILE is a leadership preparation and exploration program aimed at providing Raritan Valley Community College students with tools that are transferable to gain a paraprofessional position at a 4-year college as a Resident Advisor or Student Affairs Assistant. The MILE Passport offers selected student participants skills development activities needed to prepare them for employment opportunities as a College Resident Advisor and Student Affairs paraprofessional. An informational workshop was held to identify potential students along with outreach with the Student Life Leadership participants. Student Applications are available in the fall and the program is offered during the spring semester. CRECER Latino High School Student Conference Funded by the Office of Multicultural Affairs Grant, Student Government Association/Student Life, Foundation and Admissions. The Orgullo Latino Club (OCL) which is a student association club sponsored this high school outreach program for the 17th year. CRECER is the Spanish word for “To Grow” /Acronym: Caring, Reaching, Educating, Connecting, Enriching and Reaping. This year’s theme was “It’s Your Future…Step It Up!” This student driven conference supports the College’s Strategic Plan which include providing excellent educational experiences to prepare students for advancement to college and career readiness. Latino students from Somerset and Hunterdon counties are exposed to college and career pathways. Raritan Latino Students share their college success stories to inspire high school students to achieve excellence. Study Group Selected as peer liaisons coordinate a weekly study group that in an academic classroom at RVCC. Students were encouraged to bring a friend or meet new friends that had similar academic goals. The study group was comprised of a diverse group of student learners. Phi Theta Kappa students and Academic Tutors help students with assignments and study skills techniques. Students who required additional tutoring were encouraged to meet during the week with tutors from Academic Support Services. RVCC Affinity Organizations and Departments • Alliance - LGBT • Asian Pacific Islander Committee • Association for Black Faculty and Staff • Black History Month Committee • Boys to Men Conference • Brothers Helping Brothers • College Forum Steering Committee • Diversity Council • Equal Opportunity Fund Programs • First Year Experience • Hispanic Heritage Month Committee • MLK Day of Service Committee • Orgullo Latino – CRECER • Paul Robeson Institute • Filipino PEACE Club • Sisters to Sisters Network • Sustainability Committee • Women and Gender Studies

DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT Authority This College policy draws its authority from the following sources: • New Jersey Law Against Discrimination • Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act • Title IX of the Education Amendments Act • Americans With Disabilities Act • Americans With Disabilities Amendment Act • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act • Age Discrimination in Employment Act • Other Applicable State or Federal Law PolicyIt is the policy of the College to promote and maintain a work and academic environment in which all members of the College Community are treated with dignity and respect. The College recognizes the human dignity of each member of the College Community and expects all employees and students to promote respect and dignity for others so that all employees and students are free to pursue their goals in an open environment, able to participate in the free exchange of ideas, and able to share equally in the benefits of the College’s employment opportunities and educational programs and activities. The College is committed to ensuring that all current and prospective employees and students are given equal opportunity and treatment and providing its students with an academic environment and its employees with a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. No student or employee shall be denied participation in, the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any educational program or activity or in employment based upon membership or perceived membership in a protected class. Discrimination and harassment are strictly prohibited on the College campus and at any other location where the College offers programs or activities or sponsors events. Discrimination and harassment are also prohibited in connection with College programs, activities, and events and in terms and conditions of employment. Harassment or discrimination through social media or other electronic communication is also prohibited. This prohibition against discrimination and harassment applies to all students, prospective students, employees, and prospective employees of the College, including student workers, and to all consultants, contractors, and other individuals performing work for the College. Reporting Discrimination or Harassment Potential violations of this policy must be reported immediately to Nancy Moore, Vice President for Human Resources and Labor Relations, (908) 526-1200 X8345, Raritan Valley Community College, Somerville, NJ 08876, nmoore@raritanval.edu or to John Trojan, the Vice President of Finance, (908) 526-1200 X8203, Raritan Valley Community College, Somerville, NJ 08876, jtrojan@raritanval.edu. An individual does not have to be the direct target of the discrimination or harassment to report it. Any faculty member, manager, supervisor, or administrator who observes, receives a report of, or otherwise becomes aware of potential or actual harassment or discrimination or any potential violation of this Policy, shall immediately report it to the Vice President of Human Resources or the Vice President of Finance. Failure to make such report will subject the manager, supervisor, or administrator to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.