Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy is to ensure all students, employees, community members of Hudson County Community College (“College”), and other members of the public an environment free of any type of unlawful discrimination, including freedom from harassment on the basis of any protected classification.

POLICY

The College and its Board of Trustees (“Board”) are committed to providing a working and learning environment free from discrimination and unlawful harassment based on sex, affectional or sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, ancestry, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait (AHCBT), liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, creed, handicap, marital status, familial status, genetic information, refusal to submit to genetic testing, refusal to provide genetic information, or nationality of that person or that person’s spouse, partners, members, officers, managers, superintendents, agents, employees, business associates, suppliers, or customers (collectively the “protected classifications”).

The College will not tolerate discrimination or unlawful harassment in admissions to, access to, treatment, or employment in all programs and activities for students and employees, as outlined under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin (including language); Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination based on disability; Title II of the Civil Rights Act on Public Accommodations, Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, which prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities; Age Discrimination Act of 1975, which prohibits discrimination based on age; and U.S. Department of Homeland Security regulation 6 C.F.R. Part 19, which prohibits discrimination based on religion in social service programs, including any federal, state, and county regulations and guidelines as may be amended from time to time. Acts or incidents of unlawful harassment should be promptly reported in accordance with the procedures outlined below. For contact information of designated compliance officers please refer to the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion webpage: https://www.hccc.edu/dei/.

The College will investigate all reports of unlawful harassment.  Retaliation against anyone who takes action to oppose discrimination, files a report, grievance, or participates in the investigation of a grievance, is prohibited. Violation of this Policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination from employment or removal from campus.  Those who violate this Policy also risk personal legal liability.

The Board delegates to the President the responsibility to develop procedures and guidelines for the implementation of this policy. The Office of Human Resources will ensure compliance with this policy in all personnel actions.

Approved: August 12, 2008; Amended November 2018, August 2019, August 2020, February 2023, February 2024.
Approved by: Board of Trustees
Category: Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment
Responsible Office(s): Human Resources; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Scheduled for Review: February 2026

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