Equal Opportunity Statement
The Community Colleges are committed to a policy of equal opportunity, equal education, non-discrimination, and diversity. They are committed to providing a learning and working environment – whether in person or in the virtual/online setting - for their students, employees and other members of the College community, which values the diverse backgrounds of all people. The Community Colleges are committed to assuring that the “College Experience” is one that challenges, empowers, supports, and prepares its students to live in, work in, and value our increasingly global and diverse world. The Community Colleges believe that the diversity of socio-economic, racial, ethnic, religious, gender, sexual orientation, age and disability backgrounds of members of the College community enriches the institutions and their various constituencies. The Community Colleges will not tolerate behavior based on bigotry, which has the effect of discriminating against any member of their communities.
The Community Colleges provide equal access to educational, co-curricular and employment opportunities at the Colleges for all applicants, students and employees in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and policies. All benefits, privileges and opportunities offered by the Community Colleges are available to all students, employees and other persons having dealings with the institutions on a non-discriminatory basis. The Community Colleges are committed to taking a pro-active posture with respect to their recruitment, selection and promotion of students and employees from various backgrounds and different points of view.
The Community Colleges have carefully developed and outlined the major elements of an effective Non-Discrimination Policy with the understanding that a successful policy requires more than the knowledge of laws, regulations and current government requirements. It demands leadership, vision, and commitment to fully comprehend what challenges Community Colleges face in preparing students for the twenty-first century. The Community Colleges, both collectively and individually, commit themselves to not only the valuing of human dignity, but also to the necessity of providing all members of the College community an experience that equips them to relate to all persons and groups in the increasingly global and diverse world in which we all live and work.
The Community Colleges wish to take a role of leadership in providing an environment where non-discrimination is truly valued beyond verbal commitments and mere tolerance. This leadership role requires that we all share responsibility for making constructive campus-wide changes in response to the principles set forth in this policy. By turning our collective energies into making equal opportunity and non-discrimination an integral part of campus life, we continue to fulfill our mission in developing the talents and potential of all members of our College communities and our society.
How to File a Complaint or Concern
If you believe you have been subjected to sexual harassment, you may file a formal complaint through the College's internal process or with the governmental agencies set forth below. Filing a complaint with the College does not prohibit you from filing a complaint with these agencies.
United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”)
One Congress Street 10th Floor
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 565-3200
The Office For Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education (“OCR”)
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-1475
(202) 453-6020
Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (“MCAD”)
Boston Office
- One Ashburton Place
- Rm. 601
- Boston, MA 02108
- (617) 727-3990
New Bedford Office
- 800 Purchase St., Rm 501
- New Bedford, MA 02740
- (508) 990-2390
Springfield Office
- 424 Dwight Street Rm. 220
- Springfield, MA 01103
- (413) 739-2145
Worcester Office
- Worcester City Hall
- 455 Main Street, Room 101
- Worcester, MA 01608
- (508) 799-8010