State University of New York at Geneseo
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

In the operation of its programs and activities, the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff members, and in the recruitment, admission, retention, and treatment of students, the State University of New York at Geneseo does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, marital status, national origin, race, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status as either disabled or of the Vietnam era. In the administration of services to students, no distinctions on illegally discriminatory bases are permitted with respect to the provision of financial assistance, counseling and tutoring programs, and activities, which are sponsored by the College. On-campus housing is assigned on a non-discriminatory basis. Placement services and institutional facilities are made available only to persons, agencies, organizations, and firms which comply with existing equal opportunity laws, and the College so informs all clients, potential employers, lessors and sellers and recipients of significant assistance. Non-exempt agencies or organizations which do not agree to abide by the nondiscriminatory policies of the College, or that are found to have illegally discriminated, are denied College recognition, sponsorship, and use of College facilities and general or specific support. Additionally, the College does not condone or tolerate sexual or racial harassment in employment or in its academic setting. Geneseo actively supports equal opportunity for all persons, and takes affirmative action to see that both the total student and employee populations at the College enjoy access to all programs and equal opportunities in all activities. Questions regarding issues of discrimination may be directed to the Dean of Students Office, the Director of Affirmative Action (Erwin 219), or the Coordinator of Multicultural Programs and Services. https://www.geneseo.edu/handbook/d

The Geneseo Bias Prevention Team works to prevent bias and responds to incidents of bias and conducts formal investigations where such matters warrant. The Team works to promote Restorative Justice, advises on dialogue procedures, consults on emails and coordinates education measures given issues as they arise. Some avenues we pursue (as appropriate): Refer to counseling. Provide support and guidance when meeting with the member of BPRT who is working on their case. Work with Residence Life to make alternate housing arrangements (if needed). If incident affects many people, we offer group support and dialogue sessions>

Structural barriers for students are identified and intervening measures are put in place as a result. Examples are Bus trips from NYC to the campus so that perspective students of underrepresented groups can visit Geneseo, go to a class and even stay over night for free. Geneseo hosts a summer program know as Camp College where tenth and eleventh graders of color stay in dorms and participate in campus activities for a few days in the summer, specically to expose them to Geneseo in hopes they will apply. Geneseo has seen an uptich in such applications as a result. Geneseo hosts conferences for high school guidance counselors that focus on assisting students facing barriers to college. Beginning in 2020, the admissions department will begin offering campus tours in Spanish. Also beginning in 2020 is a program for those selected to be on search committees. Fifty percent of all new search committees are required to attend Equity-minded search practice sessions. Progeny Grants are awarded to faculty of color and to women in STEM. This program is intended to place 4 people annually inot tenure track lines.

The Isom E. Fearn Access Opportunity Programs (AOP) at SUNY Geneseo serves as the College's means of meeting the higher educational aspirations of academically talented students who are under-represented at the post-secondary level of education. The programs that are united under the AOP department are the Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and the Transitional Opportunity Program (TOP). While the programs serve different segments of society, they are similar in that they both provide educational access opportunities and academic support services to participants. Eligibility for the EOP program is both academically and economically based and the program provides students with some financial support. The TOP program, however, is not economically based, although TOP students may qualify for financial aid. The Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), a parallel of CUNY’s SEEK programs, was extended to the State University of New York in 1968 to provide higher education to traditionally by-passed residents of New York State. The program is aimed at students who have the potential to complete a college degree, but do not meet the general admission requirements because their academic credentials may have been adversely affected during their high school years by economic factors. Applicants are required to provide specific supporting and verifying documentation before admission decisions will be rendered. Specific state economic guidelines must be followed, and campus interviews may be required for some applicants. The Transitional Opportunity Program (TOP) is a SUNY Geneseo sponsored program that includes many of the services commonly associated with EOP. Although the academic standards for admission are the same as for EOP, TOP applicants are not held to the same firm economic guidelines expected of EOP applicants. Most students qualify for the program because of the College’s interest in and commitment to expanding its student body to include the rich ethnic/racial, economic and age diversity of our society. Applicants applying for admission through this program shall be required to provide supporting documents to verify status and academic potential. Approximately 50% or more of TOP students qualify for financial aid. Although applicants for the AOP department represent some of the brightest students in New York State, due to the high academic standards for admission, applicants seeking admission through AOP ordinarily do not satisfy one or more of the College's general admission requirements. Given their academic potential however, a more in-depth review of their academic credentials is used to assess their potential for success at SUNY Geneseo. In addition to high school grades and standardized test scores, AOP applicants are required to complete and submit an AOP specific Part II Supplemental Application, an essay, and other supporting and veryifying documentation(e.g. counselor/teacher recommendations and a personal essay that discusses high school performance and educational goals) before an admission decision is rendered. In some cases, an on campus interview may be required for some AOP applicants. The Annual Multicultural BBQ/Mixer takes place the first week of classes in the fall. This event brings the entire campus community together to support students of color and to begin the establishment of relationships across groups that hopefully lead to mentorships. The Geneseo Points of Support Program, or GPS, provides as-needed guidance in navigating barriers that may arise for first generation students, and connecting any isolated students.