StudentHandbook

military status, domestic violence victim status or criminal conviction. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the College community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law, or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic. The College’s policy is in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination and harassment. These laws include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as Amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, and the New York State Human Rights Law. These laws prohibit discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual violence. Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and other laws, regulations and policies prohibiting discrimination may be directed to Title IX Coordinator: Mr. Doug Schading, director of human resources and affirmative action Phone: (212) 938-5882 Email: dschading@sunyopt.edu. Inquiries may also be directed to the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights: 32 Old Slip 26th Floor, New York, NY 10005-2500 Phone: (646) 428-3800 Email OCR.NewYork@ed.gov. Sexual Assault, Rape, Stalking and Domestic Violence New York State statutes define sexual assault in various degrees. Sexual assault, of any kind is a crime. Sexual assault is any actual or attempted nonconsensual sexual activity including but not limited to, forcible anal or oral sex, attempted intercourse, sexual touching, exhibitionism by a person(s) known or unknown to the victim. Rape is the act of sexual intercourse with a person against one’s will and consent, whether their will is overcome by force or fear resulting from the threat of force, or by drugs administered without consent, or when they are unconscious, intoxicated or otherwise physically unable to communicate willingness. Be aware that having sex with someone who is unable to give consent by being mentally incapacitated or unconscious (passed out) is rape. If you are a victim of a rape or sexual assault, seek medical attention immediately. It is also suggested that you do not: bathe or douche, change clothing, comb your hair, or brush your teeth or disturb the area in which the crime occurred. These actions destroy physical evidence that may be necessary to apprehend or convict the attacker. Stalking occurs when a person intentionally, and for no legitimate purpose, engages in a course of conduct directed at a specific person, and knows or reasonably should know that such conduct is likely to cause reasonable fear of harm to the health, safety or property of such person, any member of such person’s family or a third party with whom such person is acquainted. Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive tactics which includes physical, psychological, sexual, economic and emotional abuse, perpetrated by one person against an adult intimate partner with the goal of establishing and maintaining power and control over the victim. Intimate partner includes: persons legally married to one another; persons formerly married to one another; persons who have a child in common, regardless of whether such persons are married or lived together at any time; couples who live together or persons who are dating or who have dated in the past, including same sex couples.

For more information about the College’s Domestic Violence Policy and Prevention Procedures, please visit: http://www.sunyopt.edu/offices/human_resources/policies_and_procedures

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