Civil Rights/Nondiscrimination Policy
Policy approved by Mercy College Board of Trustees, June 2019
Mercy College of Ohio has established a Civil Rights/Nondiscrimination policy with the purpose of committing to the practice of nondiscrimination on the bases of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, religion, pregnancy, genetic information, and any other legally-protected class in admissions and educational programs, services and activities, in accord with applicable federal and state law at Mercy College of Ohio (“the College”).
This policy applies to all College employees, students, and third parties conducting business on behalf of the College.
Discrimination occurs when persons are excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, a College program or activity because of their status in a legally-protected class. Discrimination can involve subjecting someone to unwelcome conduct (i.e., harassment). To reflect its commitment to nondiscrimination, the College has adopted the following nondiscrimination statement.
Nondiscrimination Statement
Mercy College of Ohio is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the bases of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, religion, pregnancy, genetic information, and any other legally-protected class in admissions and educational programs, services and activities, in accord with applicable federal and state law.
The College will promptly and thoroughly investigate all allegations of discrimination. If an individual is found to have violated the College’s nondiscrimination statement, the College will take appropriate action to redress the violation, up to and including dismissal. Any member of the College community who is a witness to or victim of discrimination should immediately notify the Director of Compliance and Risk Management, or any member of the College’s administration, faculty, or staff. The College prohibits retaliation based upon reporting of violations of this policy.
Complaints of Discrimination:
Any person may file a complaint alleging discrimination or harassment in violation of this policy’s nondiscrimination statement. Complaints may allege discrimination or harassment carried out by employees, students, or third parties. Complaints should be directed to:
Leslie Erwin
Director of Compliance and Risk Management
419-251-1710
Complaints of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual violence, and sexual exploitation/misconduct will be processed pursuant to the procedures contained in the Sexual Harassment Policy.
Complaints of disability discrimination, including disability harassment, will be processed pursuant to the procedures below, which constitute the College’s Section 504 grievance procedures. Complaints of all other forms of discrimination and harassment will also be processed pursuant to the procedures set forth below.
Related Policies and Procedures:
Conduct that is of a discriminatory or harassing nature may also implicate other College policies. The following policies and procedures may be relevant to complaints of discrimination and used by the College to address the underlying allegations of misconduct:
- Accessibility Policy
- Hazing Policy
- Student Code of Conduct
Questions about the Accessibility Policy should be directed to the Section 504 Coordinator:
Christine Miller
Director of Accessibility and Testing Services
419-251-1784
christine.miller@mercycollege.edu
Questions about the Hazing Policy or Student Code of Conduct should be directed to:
Marc Adkins
Vice President of Student Affairs & Dean of Students
419-251-1512
marc.adkins@mercycollege.edu
Outside Options for Resolution of Complaints:
Complaints of discrimination may be filed with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education at the following address:
Director, Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education
1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 325
Cleveland, OH 44115-1812
Telephone (216) 522-4970
FAX: 216-522-2573; TDD: 800-877-8339
Email: OCR.Cleveland@ed.gov