Equal Opportunity & Diversity Policy

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Higher Education Massachusetts Community Colleges Policy on Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity & Diversity 

Berkshire Community College, Bristol Community College, Bunker Hill Community College, Cape Cod Community College, Greenfield Community College, Holyoke Community College, Massachusetts Bay Community College, Massasoit Community College, Middlesex Community College, Mount Wachusett Community College, North Shore Community College, Northern Essex Community College, Quinsigamond Community College, Roxbury Community College, Springfield Technical Community College

CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL FOR MASSACHUSETTS COMMUNITY COLLEGES POLICY ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & DIVERSITY

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Community Colleges' Policy on Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity & Diversity has been approved for implementation by the Colleges and the Board of Higher Education, effective August 1, 2021. This Policy shall replace the previous Policy, which was approved by the Board of Higher Education and implemented on October 11, 2013, as amended in September 2014, December 2014, August 2020, and August 2021. This Policy shall remain in full force and effect until a successor Policy is approved and implemented. The Community Colleges will continually review this Policy and the Complaint Procedure to ensure compliance with the requirements of federal and state laws and regulations.

Carlos E. Santiago
Commissioner Department of Higher Education

Implemented August 1, 2021

Download the Massachusetts Community Colleges Policy on Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity & Diversity this PDF also includes forms. View the table of contents for the policy below. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. OVERALL POLICY STATEMENT...............................................................................5
B. POLICY STATEMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & DIVERSITY...................................................................................................................6
C. DEFINITIONS ...................................................................................................................9
D. SPECIFIC POLICIES.....................................................................................................20
I. Support of and Commitment to Diversity.................................................................20
II. Policy Against Prohibited Conduct ..........................................................................21
III. Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy...........................................................................23
IV. Non-Discrimination and Accommodation for Persons with Disabilities .................30
V. Contracting and Purchasing ......................................................................................32
E. IMPLEMENTATION OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION POLICY ...............................33
F. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION OFFICER AND TITLE IX COORDINATOR...............34
G. DISSEMINATION OF POLICY....................................................................................37
H. PLAN OF ACTION.........................................................................................................38
a. Program Purpose and Intent......................................................................................38
b. Scope.........................................................................................................................38
c. Workforce and Utilization Analysis .........................................................................38
d. Under-Utilization ......................................................................................................38
e. Goals.........................................................................................................................38
f. Identification of Problem Areas and Remedial Approaches.....................................39
g. Programmatic & Collaborative Efforts.....................................................................39
h. Individual Campus Efforts........................................................................................40
I. HIRING GUIDELINES ..................................................................................................41
J. COLLEGE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COMMITTEE ..............................................42
K. AUDITING AND REPORTING ....................................................................................43
L. COMPLAINT PROCEDURES .....................................................................................44
I. General Information for All Complaints...................................................................44
a. Application of Policy .......................................................................................44
b. Confidentiality of Process ...............................................................................44
c. Complainant Requests Confidentiality ...........................................................44
d. Off Campus Behavior ......................................................................................44
e. Supportive Measures........................................................................................45
f. Interim Action and Emergency Removal .......................................................45
g. Joint Investigation ...........................................................................................46
h. Collateral Rights of Employees ......................................................................46
i. Anonymous Report ..........................................................................................46
j. Amnesty ...........................................................................................................47
k. False Charges...................................................................................................47
l. Informal Procedures.........................................................................................47
II. Complaint Process ....................................................................................................48
III. Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaint Process.......................................................50
Appendix A - Affirmative Action Discrimination Complaint Form......................................54
Appendix B - Notice to Respondent ...........................................................................................56
Appendix C - Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaint Form ..................................................57
Appendix D - Notice to Respondent (RE Formal Complaint).................................................59

 

Contact

For further information and/or to file a complaint/grievance, contact:

Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Nahomi Carlisle, Esq., Associate Vice President, Chief Equity and Compliance Officer, Affirmative Action Officer, and Section 504/ADA Coordinator
Charlestown Campus, A307  |  617-228-3311  |  nahomi.carlisle@bhcc.edu