Susan Rieger
Associate Provost
103 Low Library
(212) 854-5511
sr534@columbia.edu

The Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action has overall responsibility for the management of the University's Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Policies. Columbia University is committed to providing a working and learning environment free from discrimination and to fostering a nurturing and vibrant community founded upon the fundamental dignity and worth of all of its members. Consistent with this commitment and with applicable laws, it is the policy of the University not to tolerate unlawful discrimination or harassment and to provide employees and students who feel that they are victims of either with mechanisms for seeking redress.

As an equal opportunity and afffirmative action employer, the University does not discriminate against or permit harassment of employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, gender (including gender identity and expression), pregnancy, religion, creed, national origin, age, alienage and citizenship, status as a perceived or actual victim of domestic violence, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, partnership status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, arrest record, or any other legally protected status. In the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other University-administered programs, it does not discriminate against any person or permit the harassment of any student or applicant on the basis of race, color, sex, gender, pregnancy, religion, creed, marital status, partnership status, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, military status, or any other legally protected status. All members of the University community are expected to adhere to the applicable policies and to cooperate with the procedures for responding to complaints of discrimination.

Members of the faculty, staff and student body may contact the Office to inquire about their rights under the Universities Policies, request mediation or counseling, or seek information about the application of the policies to specific situations. Information and advice are also offered to visitors and callers. Complaints against employees are governed by the Equal Employment Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Policies and Procedures on Discrimination, Discriminatory Harassment and Sexual Harassment ; complaints against students are governed by the Equal Educational Opportunity and Student Nondiscrimination Policies and Procedures on Discrimination and Harassment. All employees, students, and applicants are protected from retaliation for filing a complaint or assisting in an investigation under Columbia's Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Policies.

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/vpaa/eoaa/docs/nondispol.html

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/vpaa/eoaa/docs/student_discrim.html

The Office is also responsible for monitoring employment transactions, including but not limited to recruitment, selection, compensation, assignment, promotion, and termination. A number of University committees and offices may perform these and related functions in an effort to ensure compliance with University policies and procedures.

Professional development and training programs are integral to successful implementation of the University's programs of equal opportunity and diversity. The Office offers these services to all departments and it will tailor sessions to meet the needs of specific participants.