Questions or comments? Contact the dean of students office at deanofstudents@hampshire.edu.
Hampshire College prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, mental or physical disability, political belief or affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law in any of its educational programs and activities, in employment and application for employment, and in admission and application of admission as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its implementing regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106.9), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Executive Order 11246 of 1965, as amended by Executive Order 11357 of 1967, and other federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination. Hampshire College prohibits harassment of students, employees and third parties, including racial harassment, sexual harassment, and gender-based harassment. Hampshire College also prohibits retaliation for filing good faith complaints of discrimination or harassment.
Hampshire College has designated a Title IX coordinator for purposes of Title IX compliance:
Zauyah Waite, Ph.D.
Title IX Coordinator
Merrill Student Life Center, 2nd floor
413.559.5412
titleix@hampshire.edu [1]
Inquiries about Title IX or the College’s sexual misconduct, relationship violence, and stalking policy can be directed to the Title IX coordinator or to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.
Complaints and inquiries regarding all other forms of discrimination and harassment involving students can be directed to:
Sheila Lloyd, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President for Justice, Equity, and Antiracism
srlPR@hampshire.edu [2]
Complaints and inquiries regarding all other forms of discrimination and harassment involving employees or third party vendors can be directed to:
Jake Toomey,
Director of Human Resources
413.559.5605
jtHR@hampshire.edu [3]
Complaints and inquiries of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation regarding federal laws may be directed to:
U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
5 Post Office Square, 8th floor
Boston, MA 02109-3921
617.289.0111
TTY: 800.877.8339
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity
John F. Kennedy Federal Building
475 Government Center
Boston, MA 02203
800.669.4000
TTY: 800.669.6820
Complaints and inquiries of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation regarding state laws may be directed to:
Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
436 Dwight Street
Room 220
Springfield, MA 01103
413.739.2145
It is a violation of College policy to retaliate in any way against an individual or a group because the individual or group made a good faith report concerning a violation of this policy, was the subject of a report, or otherwise participated in the College’s investigation of such a report. Retaliation includes threatening, intimidating, harassing or any other conduct that would discourage a reasonable person from engaging in activity protected under this policy. Any individual who believes they have been the subject of retaliation should immediately report their concerns to the chief diversity officer. The College will take immediate and appropriate action to any report of retaliation and may pursue disciplinary action as appropriate.
Harassment, Other Forms of Discrimination, and Retaliation
Discrimination
Discrimination is the adverse treatment of any individual based on the protected class or category to whom they belong, rather than on the basis of their individual merit. The protected categories include race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, religion, national origin, disability, veteran/military status or any other characteristic under applicable federal or state law.
In employment, discrimination or harassment may begin with adverse actions that may include using different standards of evaluation for employment, promotion or job performance on the basis of protected categories; denying an employee’s request for reasonable accommodations; denying employment opportunity or terminating on the basis of protected categories; retaliation against an employee participating in an investigation of discrimination and harassment.
For students discrimination and harassment may begin with differential treatment in their education program or activity on the basis of their protected category. This may include using different standards to evaluate academic performance on the basis of the protected category; denying academic, social, recreational, health services and housing on the basis of the protected category; retaliation against a student participating in an investigation of discrimination and harassment.
Harassment is unwelcome conduct directed toward a person based on one or more protected categories or statuses of that person, when either of these conditions are met:
(1) Submission to or rejection of such conduct is either an explicit or implicit term or
condition of an individual’s academic standing, evaluation of academic
work or advancement in an academic program, or employment, is used as the basis for College
decisions affecting the individual (often referred to as “quid pro quo” or “this for that”
harassment—this type of harassment is governed by the sexual misconduct, relationship violence, and stalking policy).
(2) The conduct is severe, persistent or pervasive that it interferes with an individual’s academic performance, participation in College programs or activities, employment and creates a working, learning, program or activity environment that a reasonable person would find intimidating, hostile or offensive.
Examples of such conduct include:
Retaliation
It is a violation of College policy to retaliate in any way against an individual or a group because the individual or group made a good faith report concerning a violation of this policy, was the subject of a report, or otherwise participated in the College’s investigation of such a report. Retaliation includes threatening, intimidating, harassing or any other conduct that would discourage a reasonable person from engaging in activity protected under this policy. Any individual who believes they have been the subject of retaliation should immediately report their concerns to the Senior Vice President for Justice, Equity, and Antiracism. The College will take immediate and appropriate action to any report of retaliation and may pursue disciplinary action as appropriate.
Please refer to the grievance policy in this handbook for guidance on how to report allegations of discrimination or harassment. Please note that the grievance policy in this manual does not address sexual assault, sexual exploitation, relationship violence, stalking, or sexual or gender-based harassment. Those categories of prohibited conduct are governed by the College’s Title IX grievance policy [4]or sexual misconduct, relationship violence and stalking policy, which also establishes separate procedures that outline how the College assesses, investigates and resolves reports of such prohibited conduct against student respondents (Appendix A) and employee respondents (Appendix B) [5]. See https://www.hampshire.edu/offices/title-ix [6]
For student-on-student discrimination or harassment allegations, students should contact any of the following resources:
Reporting Resources
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Resource |
Phone/Location |
Types of Support |
Zauyah Waite, Ph.D Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Title IX Coordinator
Shawn McQuillan-Krepps, Ed.D. Senior Director of Student Affairs - Student Retention & Success
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413.559.5412/Merrill Student Life Center - 2nd Floor |
The dean of students office and the division of student affairs provide programming, resources, and an array of services to help facilitate student development and student success; support and cultivate a rich learning environment; and encourage community building at Hampshire College. The staff in the dean of students office is available to meet with students to provide individual guidance or support, as well.
|
Justice, Equity and Antiracism Division [10] Sheila Lloyd William Syldor-Severino Teal Van Dyck
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413.559.5379, Cole Science Center
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The Office for Justice, Equity and Antiracism is responsible for the general advancement of diversity in the life of the College. This includes racial, ethnic, gender, disability, and class diversity, as well as diversity based on sexual orientation. The primary mission is to safeguard campus wellbeing as it relates to diversity issues. Responsibilities include serving as an information clearinghouse for the whole community with regards to resources and opportunities related to diversity; sponsoring and organizing academic and cultural activities around these same topics; and supporting the work of the faculty on curricular and pedagogical innovations that advance the representation of traditionally marginalized or underrepresented groups in the academic program. The office also assists with the creation of opportunities for students to engage such issues in settings inside and outside the United States, including field studies, study abroad programs, and internships. |
Confidential Reporting and Counseling
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Resource |
Phone/Location |
Types of Support |
Health and counseling services [14]
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413.559.5458. Located near the Red Barn.
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For medical attention MWF 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and TTh 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. when classes are in session. For mental health counseling appointments MWF 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and TTh 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m when classes are in session.
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Spiritual life |
413.559.6773. Enfield - Spiritual Life Center. |
For spiritually-based support. |
For allegations related to the College’s sexual misconduct, relationship violence and stalking policy you may contact the resources and support for students: https://www.hampshire.edu/student-life/sexual-respect-and-title-ix [16]
In any organization, occasionally there will be conflicts and misunderstandings that require clarification or resolution. Hampshire College believes that the best way to resolve problems is to address them fully and fairly. To that end, students are encouraged to immediately discuss any problem or perceived unfair treatment with a representative of the dean of students office. However, if such informal methods do not resolve the problem, the grievance procedure below is available. The College is committed to working with students to resolve disputes or grievances.
A. Applicability of this Policy
The issues which may be addressed through this grievance procedure are the interpretation and application of this policy provisions. More specifically, this procedure does not address sexual assault, sexual exploitation, relationship violence, stalking, or sexual or gender-based harassment. Those categories of prohibited conduct are governed by the College’s sexual misconduct, relationship violence and stalking policy, which establishes separate procedures that outline how the College assesses, investigates and resolves reports of such prohibited conduct against student respondents (Appendix A) and employee respondents (Appendix B). See https://www.hampshire.edu/offices/title-ix [6]
Grievances related to academic freedom and faculty reappointment and promotions are not subject to this grievance procedure. They are governed by the Faculty Handbook [17].
B. Procedures
Submitting a written grievance:
If after speaking with a representative from the dean of students office, you believe your complaint or concern was not adequately addressed, you may begin the grievance procedure by submitting a written statement of grievance to the senior vice president for justice, equity, and antiracism. Such submissions should be undertaken in a reasonable timeframe, generally no later than thirty (30) days following the circumstance giving rise to your grievance. The senior vice president may participate in the investigation.
If the grievance includes allegations of sexual assault, sexual exploitation, relationship violence, stalking, or sexual or gender-based harassment, it will be referred to the Title IX coordinator, pursuant to the sexual misconduct, relationship violence and stalking policy. See https://www.hampshire.edu/offices/title-ix [6]
Any grievances submitted after thirty (30) days should contain an explanation for the delay in filing, and will be reviewed to determine whether they are timely.
The grievance statement should include your name and contact information, the nature of the grievance including a detailed account of the grievance, information about whom you discussed the issue with, why you do not believe that is an appropriate response, and a suggested resolution.
If upon review of this written grievance, the senior vice president believes there is a way to resolve the problem, they will reach out to you and attempt to resolve the matter.
The senior vice president will review the grievance statement and endeavor to provide a written response within a reasonable amount of time. If necessary, the senior vice president may assign another administrator or external party to conduct an investigation into the matter and may discuss the problem with you and all parties involved including witnesses. The senior vice president has the discretion to refer these matters to a student conduct process for instances where a grievance is filed against another student. The student conduct process is detailed in the conduct meeting and hearing [18] section in the Student Handbook. (For employee respondents, the procedures outlined in the employee handbook will be applied).
If you wish to appeal the outcome of the grievance procedure, you may ask that the statement be sent to a vice president, or their designee, for review and response. For purposes of this provision, the vice presidents of the College are the vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty, the vice president for finance and administration, and the vice president for student affairs and dean of students.
The vice president or their designee will review the grievance and attempt to resolve the situation. The vice president or their designee may conduct a further investigation and schedule a meeting between you and any relevant individuals. The decision of the vice president or their designee is final and not subject to appeal.
C. Sanctions
If a student is found responsible for a violation of College policy through this grievance process the College will take such action as is appropriate under the circumstances. Information about student sanctions can be found in the Student Handbook sanctions [19] section. This list is not an exhaustive list and any sanction or combination of sanctions may be imposed.
If an employee is found responsible for a violation of College policy through this grievance process, the College will take such action as is appropriate under the circumstances. Information about employee sanctions can be found in the employee handbook section. This list is not an exhaustive list and any sanction or combination of sanctions may be imposed.
D. Additional Information
This policy does not limit the College’s authority to discipline or take remedial action for conduct that is unacceptable, regardless of whether that conduct satisfies the definitions of discrimination and harassment above.
This is an internal process, and while a student may seek legal advice, their counsel may not actively participate in the process.
The College understands that these matters can be extremely sensitive and will protect
privacy but reserves the right to share information with individuals who may have a need to know in order to ensure compliance with this policy.
Hampshire College will not tolerate retaliation against any individual who seeks assistance with a problem or avails themselves of this process.
Links
[1] mailto:titleix@hampshire.edu
[2] mailto:srlPR@hampshire.edu
[3] mailto:jtHR@hampshire.edu
[4] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/288
[5] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/40
[6] https://www.hampshire.edu/offices/title-ix
[7] https://www.hampshire.edu/student-life/dean-of-students-office
[8] mailto:zwsa@hampshire.edu
[9] mailto:samkSA@hampshire.edu
[10] https://www.hampshire.edu/offices/office-president/office-justice-equity-and-antiracism
[11] mailto:wasSA@hampshire.edu
[12] mailto:tvdDO@hampshire.edu
[13] mailto:mlpAC@hampshire.edu
[14] https://www.hampshire.edu/health-services/health-and-counseling-services
[15] https://www.hampshire.edu/spiritual-life/spiritual-life
[16] https://www.hampshire.edu/student-life/sexual-respect-and-title-ix
[17] https://intranet.hampshire.edu/system/files/faculty-handbook.pdf
[18] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/232
[19] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/130