Non-Discrimination Policy & Complaints
1.10 Equal Opportunity
I. Purpose
The Board of Trustees of Bucks County Community College hereby re-affirms the commitment of the college and the Board to practices of equal opportunity for all employees, applicants for employment, students and applicants for admission.
II. Scope
All employees, applicants for employment, students and applicant for admission to the college are protected under this policy.
III. General
Bucks County Community College does not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student or applicant for admission because of race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, an individual’s actual or perceived disability, genetic information or veteran status.
Accordingly, all recruiting, hiring, and promoting for all job classifications will be made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, an individual’s actual or perceived disability, genetic information or veteran status.
All recruiting and admissions of students will be made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, an individual’s actual or perceived disability, genetic information or veteran status.
IV. Procedures
COMPLAINTS SHOULD BE FILED USING THE APPROPRIATE ONLINE FORM:
FACULTY & STAFF COMPLAINTS STUDENT COMPLAINTS
Requirements for Filing a Complaint
A complaint must be signed and submitted to diversity@bucks.edu to the Chief Diversity Equity & Inclusion Officer (CDEIO). An individual may refuse to put a complaint in writing. However, notwithstanding that refusal, if there is reasonable cause to believe that illegal discrimination may be occurring, the college will investigate the verbal complaint to the best of its ability and will proceed with any action that is warranted.
Employees must file a complaint within 45 business days following the alleged discriminatory act or the date on which the Complainant first knew or reasonably should have known of such act if that date is later. Students must file a complaint within 45 business days following the alleged discriminatory act or 45 business days after the final grade is received, if that date is later.
BCCC Procedures for Processing a Complaint
The CDEIO shall receive any complaint of alleged discrimination.
The complainant shall sign and date a copy of the completed form.
CDEIO shall seek to resolve the complaint informally and shall have the right to all relevant information and to interview witnesses, including the right to bring together the Complainant and Respondent, if desirable.
Should a formal investigation be initiated both the complainant and respondent will be notified in writing that a formal investigation has begun. Both the complainant and the respondent will be advised to gather evidence, witnesses, and documents that support their respective side.
Should a complaint also involve allegations other than discrimination, the CDEIO’s determination as to whether discrimination occurred, will be made independent of the non-discrimination allegations. Once an investigation is concluded the CDEIO will inform both the complainant and respondent of the findings that there was either:
- Sufficient evidence to support discrimination occurred, or
- Insufficient evidence to support discrimination occurred.
The CDEIO will forward the findings to the President or their designee. Should there be sufficient evidence to support discrimination the president or their designee will determine the appropriate discipline.
V. Approval
Board of Trustees, October 9, 2014; June 30, 2020
VI. Responsibility
Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer and Executive Director, Human Resources