State University of New York at Oneonta
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

The College at Oneonta is an academic community that values diversity. Diversity at the College is an inclusive value that encompasses race and ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity and gender expression, age, ability, socio-economic status, and other aspects of identity.

As a campus community, we believe that every individual is important in a unique way and contributes to the overall quality of the institution. We are committed to recruiting and retaining diverse faculty, staff, and students, and to fostering a learning environment which draws strength from, celebrates, and honors diversity. We strive to eliminate prejudice and discrimination; to respect the dignity of all persons; and to learn from differences in people, ideas, experiences and opinions.

https://suny.oneonta.edu/presidents-council-diversity/diversity-statement

The Bias Acts Response Team (BART) meets on a biweekly basis throughout the academic year and on an as-needed basis during breaks. Two sub-teams have been created (Education and Incident Response/Process) and meet bi-weekly.

BART’s report response process is as follows:
- Reporting and Response Procedure for Bias Act Response Team (BART)
- Filing a Complaint: The reporter can choose whether or not to remain anonymous.

Reporting Options include:
- Anonymous
- Not anonymous but declined to be contacted
- Not anonymous and can be contacted

Who can file a Complaint?
The target, A witness, An ally, College students, employees, guests, and others with knowledge of a bias act connected to the college community

Ways to file a Complaint with BART.
- Online – Through the website reporting link– Anonymous or Not
- Contact a BART member listed here. You may contact members by email, phone, or in person.

Timeline:
Non-anonymous report: the reporter will receive a follow up email within two business days
Anonymous report: follow up contact to reporter will not occur
Number of BART members to review a report:

Each submitted report will be reviewed by up to 3 BART members.
Each reporter has the option to select one member to serve in the review process.
Review Process
Anonymous Reporter
You will not be contacted.
Complaint will be reviewed by the Co-chairs and any other BART member that you selected when submitting the report.
Non-Anonymous Reporter Who can be Contacted

Upon receipt of a complaint the co-chairs will forward the report to the BART member the reporter selected as well as to two additional members. (A total of three members).
If the reporter did not choose a BART member when the report was submitted, the co-chairs will identify three members to send the report to. One of the members will be designated as the lead person and will be the point person throughout the process.
Within two days of receipt of complaint, the reporter will receive an email confirming receipt of the report and with a request to schedule a meeting.
Purpose of meeting:
Gather additional information about the complaint, including information about the perpetrator(s) if identified.
Discuss all options available to address the filed complaint; this includes directing the report to other offices, including the OEI.

Expectations from the BART Review Process
BART is not an investigatory body. If allegations suggest a possible violation of criminal law, the student code, or the discrimination policy, the report will be forwarded to the proper office. BART serves as a resource for prevention/education, victim support, and referrals.

Options to address complaints include:

Educational Programs including trainings
Various conflict resolution models (e.g., restorative justice, peacemaking circles, or intergroup dialogue)
Cross-departmental collaborations
Closing the Loop

Completion of a short evaluation survey - Provide feedback on the process, and outcome. This data is important for continuous improvement of the process
Communication

Lead Team member will share the information with the Co-chairs to close the report.
A summary with no identifiable information will be shared with the rest of BART members at the next meeting following the conclusion of the complaint.
Monthly summary of reports will be shared with the CDO
Data will be used to improve climate through trainings, programming etc.
A summary of reports will be published each semester.
Some bias incidents may rise to the level of criminal offenses. While these may be reported to BART, they may also be reported to University Police, particularly in cases of emergency. If you wish to contact University Police, you may do so by calling 607-436-3550 or by reporting anonymously through silent witness. Below are some examples of bias incidents that could be criminal and tips on how you may respond.

Student Recruitment:
- Multicultural student callers reach out to admitted students of color to answer questions about campus life.
- Admission counselors provide onsite admissions to underrepresented groups at the SUNY office in New York City. This provides the opportunity from students without transportation to campus to participate in admission sessions.
- There are admissions counselors based in New York City and have established relationships with community based organizations and local public schools that provide resources to underrepresented groups.
- Each year a free bus trip is offered to admitted students of color, plus one guest, to attend admitted students day on campus.
-The college has an active Access and Opportunity Program with EOP and CAMP.
Staff and Faculty Recruitment:
SUNY Oneonta places strategic advertisements to recruit underrepresented groups to apply. Additionally, we use a system of emailers through our top advertiser, to reach out to individuals who have registered as underrepresented with information about position openings. We also use networking and outreach to groups who represent an array of underrepresented groups. The college has sent high profile representatives, such as the CDO and Provost, to multi-cultural professional conferences. The college has had several cohorts of faculty under SUNY’s ProdiG program. Each job search requires that applicant pools reflect the diversity of the recruitment area and searches are analyzed to ensure that no discriminatory or disparate treatment is occurring.

The OEI provides support for the college campus in numerous ways such as offering diversity trainings to all students and whenever possible to faculty and staff as well. The Office's role is to ask the hard questions about prejudice and stereotyping to all students and to help facilitate a campus environment which values all its members as they pursue their education at College at Oneonta. The office oversees the OEI Mentor Program, which is a peer mentorship program that assists freshmen and transfer students of color with the transition and ultimate success at the College at Oneonta. The OEI and CRJIE also serve as a drop in place for students to just say hi, ask specific questions about college events and services, as well as a space where students can voice concerns and feel supported.
The Center for Racial Justice and Inclusive Excellence (CRJIE): In collaboration with students, faculty and staff at SUNY Oneonta, the CRJIE strives to promote an inclusive, welcoming, and intellectually challenging environment that enriches the multicultural climate and contributes to the vitality of the campus for all students, faculty, staff and the community. The CRJIE is committed to supporting the College's mission and in particular the Diversity Statement and the core values for diversity, equity and inclusion, by developing, coordinating, and promoting a rich array of social and academic events that celebrate, embrace, and enhance one’s knowledge and understanding of individuals and groups from various racial, ethnic, and cultural communities.
Gender and Sexuality Resource Center: The mission of the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center is to provide education, support and advocacy for gender and sexual orientation equity to the SUNY Oneonta Campus and the greater Oneonta community. We exercise an active position for social and political justice with regards to sex, gender, and sexual orientation and their intersections with race, ethnicity, class, religion, age, and ability.
The Student Accessibility Resources Office ensures that students with disabilities receive support services and accommodations that allow equal access to all College at Oneonta programs and the opportunity to realize potential and develop effective self-advocacy skills. To this end we work with both students and college faculty/staff to ensure that compliance with disability laws is being upheld throughout the institution.
The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and ACE Program at SUNY Oneonta serves educationally and economically disadvantaged high school graduates. At Oneonta, a student admitted through EOP/ACE receives individualized attention and services throughout his/her college career. The Oneonta staff provides academic advisement, counseling, academic support services, instruction, leadership opportunities and help with planning for life after Oneonta. EOP/ACE professionals take pride in assisting students academically, professionally, socially, and personally to become competitive and successful in a demanding and diverse society.

SUNY Oneonta is committed to advancing the careers of scholars, especially exceptional junior faculty, from historically underrepresented groups. One of the college’s related goals is to increase the diversity of its full-time faculty. To help achieve this goal, SUNY Oneonta sponsors the Historically Underrepresented Dissertation and Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program designed to bring to campus visiting faculty members from historically underrepresented groups who will contribute significantly to advancing diversity and academic excellence as they develop their scholarship, experience life as a college faculty member, and expand their teaching skills.
http://www.oneonta.edu/dissertation-fellows/