Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Policy and Compliance

The CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH) is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and equal access in its educational programs and activities. We are committed to providing an educational and workplace environment free from any form of unlawful discrimination and sexual misconduct.

We promote and support a diverse culture of excellence, mutual respect, inclusion, and professionalism and are committed to enhancing and facilitating our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion by providing expert advice and leadership to the School community in their efforts to recruit and retain a diverse workforce, ensuring an environment free from discrimination and harassment, and providing opportunities for reflection, engagement, and learning that aligns to the mission and vision of the School.

CUNY Policy on Equal Opportunity and Non-discrimination

It is the policy of CUNY SPS to recruit, employ, retain, promote, and provide benefits to employees and admit and provide services for students without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, partnership status, disability, genetic information, alienage, citizenship, military or veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence/stalking/sex offenses, unemployment status, or other legally prohibited basis in accordance with federal, state, and city laws.

This policy also prohibits retaliation for reporting or opposing discrimination, or cooperating with an investigation of a discrimination complaint.

Reasonable Accommodations and Academic Adjustments

It is also the policy of the School to provide reasonable accommodations where appropriate to individuals with disabilities, individuals observing religious practices, employees who have pregnancy or childbirth-related medical conditions, or employees who are victims of domestic violence/stalking/sex offenses.

Policy on Sexual Misconduct (Title IX)

CUNY’s Policy on Sexual Misconduct prohibits all forms of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, gender harassment and sexual violence. Inquiries concerning sexual misconduct or sex discrimination may be made to the individuals specified in that Policy or may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.

Compliance:

The Chief Diversity Officer / Title IX Coordinator / ADA-504 Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that CUNY SPS complies with University and college policies, as well as federal, state, and local laws pertaining to affirmative action and equal employment opportunity. Responsibilities include:

  • Investigating complaints of discrimination and harassment pursuant to non-discrimination policies and procedures, including as Title IX Coordinator
  • Providing confidential consultation for, investigation and resolution of discrimination /harassment complaints
  • Ensuring non-discriminatory employment practices, including but not limited to recruitment and hiring processes
  • Consulting with hiring teams and managers on recruitment and selection, overseeing recruitment plans and effective recruitment/selection strategies
  • Distributing policies, notices and revisions, and integrating them into training programs, search committee orientations, websites, and other communications
  • Promoting educational and training efforts to foster equity, diversity, and inclusion in the School community
  • Preparing and communicating Affirmative Action Plan reports, and other compliance and audit reports and responses, as necessary
  • Evaluating Affirmative Action programs and initiatives
  • Participating in CUNY initiatives promoting equity, diversity and inclusion.
  • Serving as a liaison between the School, CUNY, enforcement agencies, and community interest groups
  • Reviewing appeals of reasonable accommodation requests and decisions

CONTACT:

Sahana Gupta
Chief Diversity Officer/Title IX Coordinator/ADA-504 Coordinator
CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy
55 West 125th Street, Room 509
New York, NY 10027
(646) 618-0129
sahana.gupta@sph.cuny.edu

Reporting / Complaint Forms

Policy on Equal Opportunity and Non-discrimination

CUNY University-Wide Discrimination and Retaliation Reporting Portal – The City University of New York

Title IX/Sexual Misconduct

Please complete the Sexual Misconduct Allegation Form to report or file a sexual misconduct complaint and submit to:

Sahana Gupta
Executive Chief Diversity Officer/Title IX Coordinator
CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy
55 West 125th Street, Room 509
New York, NY 10027
(646) 618-0129
sahana.gupta@sph.cuny.edu

Please see the links below for additional information:

Request Forms for Reasonable Accommodation for Employees

Please complete form and submit to:

Arthur McHugh, Jr.
HR Director
CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy
55 West 125th Street
New York, NY 10027
646-364-9764
hr@sph.cuny.edu

If you wish to appeal the denial of a reasonable accommodation request, please contact:

Sahana Gupta
Executive Chief Diversity Officer/Title IX Coordinator
CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy
55 West 125th Street, Room 509
New York, NY 10027
sahana.gupta@sph.cuny.edu
(646) 618-0129

Dean’s Annual Reaffirmation Memo

https://sph.cuny.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Reaffirmation-of-Commitment-to-Employment-Diversity.pdf

Policy Implementation Workflow

These charts reflect the resources available to the CUNY SPH community in the implementation of various relevant policies.

CUNY SPH Affirmative Action Plans

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) oversees Affirmative Action Plan requirements for federal contractors. Some aspects of this plan are also informed by New York State and New York City regulations and guidelines for public agencies.

Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) for federal contractors as required by federal regulations related to:

  • Presidential Executive Order 11246, for women and federally protected racial/ethnic groups
  • Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended, for protected Veterans
  • Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, for Individuals with Disabilities

CUNY SPH Federal AAP 2022-2023

The School produces a separate Affirmative Action Plan for Italian Americans. The Chancellor of CUNY designated Italian Americans as a protected group at CUNY in 1976.

CUNY SPH Italian American AAP 2022-2023

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Resources

The CUNY SPH Committee for Equity and Inclusion will advocate for equity and inclusion to be valued and recognized at all levels and sectors of our institution.  We will foster a culture that promotes equity, diversity and inclusion by acknowledging and responding to the voices of our faculty, staff, and students as well as the community in which we reside.

The Committee will work diligently to develop thoughtful and innovative approaches to solve complex SPH community issues related to equity and inclusion.

Visit the webpage for more information.

The CUNY Office of Recruitment and Diversity is responsible for the development and implementation of policies, processes, and practices in support of CUNY’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Explore more resources at Diversity & Inclusion.

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