Bridgewater State University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination, equal opportunity, diversity and affirmative action. The university is dedicated to providing educational, working and living environments that value the diverse backgrounds of all people.
The university does not unlawfully discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its educational programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital or parental status, or veteran status. The university prohibits unlawful discrimination or discriminatory harassment on all of those bases and retaliation. Such behaviors violate the Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Affirmative Action Plan, will not be tolerated, and may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion.
It is also the policy of the university to provide each student, employee, and other person having dealings with the institution an environment free from unlawful sexual violence and all forms of misconduct on the basis of gender. The university prohibits rape, statutory rape, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, incest, sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking, and retaliation. These behaviors violate the university’s Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy, including Sexual Harassment, Gender-Based Harassment, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking (“Title IX Sexual Harassment”). Such behaviors will not be tolerated and may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion.
The Equal Opportunity., Diversity and Affirmative Action Plan and Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy apply in all university programs and activities, including, but not limited to, athletics, instruction, grading, housing and employment. They apply to all members of the campus communities, including, but not limited to, students, faculty, librarians, staff, visitors, contractors and applicants for employment or admission. They also apply to off-campus conduct that negatively affects a community member’s experience in the university environment.
The Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity (“EO Director”) oversees the University’s compliance with these policies. The EO Director handles discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and retaliation complaints from and about students, applicants, employees, faculty, staff and visitors to campus. The EO Director also oversees the university’s compliance with the state and federal non-discrimination and equal opportunity laws.
The EO Director is the university’s Title IX coordinator and is responsible for the university’s compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the administration of the university’s Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy. In addition, the EO Director is charged with the responsibility for the university’s compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
The Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Affirmative Action Plan is available upon request from the Office of Equal Opportunity at 508.531-2744.
Concerns or Questions Regarding Discrimination, Discriminatory Harassment or Retaliation
Anyone with questions, concerns or complaints regarding discrimination, discriminatory harassment or retaliation may contact the EO Director at:
Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity
Bridgewater State University
Boyden Hall, Room 206
131 Summer Street
Bridgewater, MA 02325
508.531-2744
EO@bridgew.edu
Concerns or Questions Regarding Sexual Violence, Sexual Harassment, Gender-Based Harassment, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Stalking and/or Retaliation
Anyone with questions, concerns or complaints regarding sexual violence, sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and/or retaliation should contact the Title IX Coordinator:
Title IX Coordinator
Bridgewater State University
Boyden Hall, Room 207
131 Summer Street
Bridgewater, MA 02325
508.531-2744
EO@bridgew.edu
Any person with questions or concerns about any form of discrimination, harassment, sexual violence, sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking and/or retaliation may also contact any of the following agencies:
The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights
5 Post Office Square, 8th floor
Boston, MA 02109-3921
phone: 617.289.0111
fax: 617.289.0150
email: OCR.Boston@ed.gov
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
John F. Kennedy Federal Building
475 Government Center
Boston, MA 02203
phone: 617.565.3200
TTY: 617.565.3204
email: info@eeoc.gov
Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
One Ashburton Place
Sixth Floor, Room 601
Boston, MA 02108
phone: 617.994.6000
fax: 617.994.6024
TTY: 617.994.6196