Americans with Disabilities Act
Recognizing the diversity of our student population and the challenges and needs they bring to the educational enterprise, Gwynedd Mercy University, within the bounds of its resources, provides reasonable accommodations to allow all students accepted into a program of study, equal opportunity to effectively reach their academic and personal goals. Requests for specific accommodations will be processed on an individual basis through the Director of Accessibility Services and may take up to six weeks. At the time of acceptance( or anytime thereafter) a request can be made in writing to the Director of Accessibility Services allowing sufficient time for administrative processing.
To be eligible for accommodations or support services, students are required to provide current( within three years) documentation from a qualified professional, depending on the nature of the disability. For more information on specific requirements to accommodate a disability and forms, email accessibilityservices @ gmercyu. edu.
Bias Activity Response Protocol
Gwynedd Mercy University is committed to creating a respectful and inclusive campus community. We recognize that acts of bias, including harassment and discrimination, are harmful to our community members and inconsistent with the University’ s mission. This document defines bias activity, harassment, and discrimination describes how to make a report to the University, and outlines the role of the Bias Activity Review Group and protocol used to respond to reports.
Definitions
Bias Activity is an umbrella term used to describe conduct or behavior( verbal, nonverbal, or written) that is characterized by some expression of negative bias against a group or individual and is based on that group’ s or individual’ s actual or perceived Protected Class status.
Protected Classes, per University policy, include: race, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, color, marital status, veteran status, genetic characteristics, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
Harassment is unwelcome conduct that is so frequent or severe that it objectively creates a hostile or offensive work environment or results in a negative employment action( such as being fired or demoted). For example, assault, threats, insults or offensive graffiti may be illegal harassment.( EEOC) https:// www. eeoc. gov / employers / small-business / eeoc-glossary-small-businesses # harassment
Discrimination is treating a person or a group of people less favorably based on a Protected Class status.( EEOC) https:// www. eeoc. gov / employers / small-business / eeoc-glossary-small-businesses # race _ discrimination
Retaliation is taking adverse action against an individual for reporting an incident of bias, harassment, or discrimination, or for cooperating in the investigation of such a report.
Although not all acts of bias rise to the level of harassment or discrimination as defined in University policy, the University will respond to all reports of bias activity in order to promote a safe and respectful campus environment for all community members.
How to Make a Report
In case of an immediate threat or emergency, call the Office of Public Safety at 215-641-5522 ext. 21111, activate a blue light emergency call phone on campus, or dial 9-1-1 to reach local law enforcement.
For all other reports of bias activity, please use the Bias Activity Reporting Form https:// cm. maxient. com / reportingform. php? GwyneddMercyCollege & layout _ id = 11 or email BIAS @ GMercyu. edu.
Both anonymous and non-anonymous reports of bias activity may be made through the online Bias Activity Reporting Form. Please know that anonymous reports may limit the University’ s capacity to investigate, respond, or follow up.
Why Report?
Filing a report of bias activity, harassment, and / or discrimination helps the University create a safe and welcoming campus climate that better supports everyone ' s ability to learn and / or work. It is the responsibility of all community members to report harmful behavior. The University not only seeks to address harmful conduct through applicable policies and processes, but to provide support and
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