Title VI

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin, including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. 42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq.

Mount Saint Mary College receives federal financial assistance in many forms, including research grants from federal agencies. Failing to comply with Title VI or other federal civil rights requirements may result in the termination of all or part of the University's federal funding, including awards for faculty research.

The institution has a responsibility to follow established procedures to address discrimination or harassment of a student or employee when the discrimination involves:

• Racial, ethnic, or ancestral slurs or stereotypes;
• A individuals’ skin color, physical features, or style of dress that reflects both ethnic and religious traditions; and
• Where an individual came from or is perceived to have come from, including discrimination based on a foreign accent, a foreign name, including names commonly associated with particular shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, or speaking a foreign language.

Mount Saint Mary College Nondiscrimination Notice

In accordance with its obligations pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and other federal, state and local laws, Mount Saint Mary College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, disability, age, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic or classification protected by federal, state, or local law, in the administration of any of the College’s educational programs or activities, admissions policies, athletics or other school administered programs, scholarship or loan programs.

MSMC Title VI Coordinators

In accordance with Title VI regulations, the college has designated the following individuals as Title VI Coordinators.  Coordinators are responsible for monitoring compliance with these regulations. Questions regarding Title VI, as well as concerns and complaints of noncompliance, may be directed below.

Maggie Kemp
Director of Disability Services, Access and Compliance
Title VI and Title XI Coordinator
margaret.kemp@msmc.edu

Emily Lundy
Director of Student Engagement
Deputy Title VI and Title IX Coordinator
emily.lundy@msmc.edu

Inquiries may also be directed to the United States Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, 32 Old Slip, 26 Floor, New York, NY 10005-2500; Tel. 646-428-3800; E-mail OCR.NewYork@ed.gov

Annual training

In accordance with New York State law, the College will conduct annual training for students and employees regarding their rights and responsibilities under this policy. Information regarding scheduled training will be communicated to students and employees annually.

REporting and investigative procedures for students

Upon receiving a report, the Title VI Coordinator will reach out to the reporting individual to offer immediate supportive measures regardless of whether a formal investigation is initiated.

1. When receiving a formal report, the coordinator will evaluate whether the alleged conduct creates a hostile environment that limits students' equal access to campus programs or activities.
2. The Title VI Coordinator will then assign a Title VI-trained investigator to conduct an impartial investigation, applying the preponderance of the evidence standard (i.e., whether it is more likely than not that discrimination occurred)
3. The Title VI Investigator will compose an investigative report and submit it to the Title VI Coordinator. The Title VI Coordinator will evaluate the investigative report and will consult with members of the Bias Response Team for evaluation.
4. If a violation is found, the Title VI Coordinator will forward the case to the Director of the Student Code of Conduct to issue formal charges and proceed under the Student Code of Conduct.

Reports involving an employee may be made to the Title VI Coordinator, who will coordinate with the Office of Human Resources as appropriate. The college will conduct a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation in accordance with applicable college policies and procedures. If a violation by an employee is found, the college will take appropriate corrective or disciplinary action in accordance with applicable college policies. If a violation by a student is found, the matter will be referred for resolution under the Student Code of Conduct.

All reports, supportive measures, investigations, and outcomes will be documented with the Title VI Coordinator to support annual reviews and to identify any systemic bias patterns.