CT State Community College (CSCC) does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, national origin, gender identity or expression, genetic information, learning disability, marital status, intellectual disability, physical disability (including but not limited to blindness), present or past history of mental disability, prior criminal record, race, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, retaliation for previously opposed discrimination or coercion, veteran status, members of the CT Civil Air Patrol, victims of domestic violence or any other federal or state protected class in its employment, programs, and activities unless the provisions of Section 46a-80(b) or 46a-81(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes are controlling or there are bona fide occupational qualifications excluding persons in one of the above protected groups.
CSCC is a mission-driven institution focused on access to excellent educational opportunities, the promotion of equity, and the advancement of positive change for students and the communities they serve. In support of this mission, CSCC is committed to a fair, just, and timely response to reports of discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct. In accordance with federal and state regulations the CSCC Office of Equity and Civil Rights (ECR) has developed procedures to respond to such complaints.
For information regarding the nondiscrimination, disability, and Title IX policies/procedures, contact: John-Paul Chaisson-Cardenas, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, CT State Community College, 185 Main Street, New Britain, CT 06051, 860-612-7056 or jp-cardenas@ct.edu.
The complaint procedures are informed by several Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) Board of Regents (BOR) policies and procedures, including:
- CSCU BOR Affirmative Action Policy Statement (Policy 4.5)
- CSCU BOR Statement of Title IX Policy (Policy 4.11)
- CSCU BOR Sexual Misconduct Reporting, Supportive Measures and Processes Policy (Policy 5.2)
- CSCU BOR Title IX Grievance Procedure for Addressing Formal Complaints of Sexual Harassment (Prior to August 1, 2024)
- CSCU BOR Title IX Grievance Procedure for Addressing Formal Complaints of Sexual Harassment (Current)
- CSCU BOR Student Code of Conduct
Additionally, these procedures adhere to any relevant state or federal laws.
Both complainants and respondents involved in the complaint procedure have the following rights:
- the opportunity to request that an investigation or hearing begin promptly
- the right to have officials leading investigations or hearings who have been trained on an annual basis in the area relevant to the complaint (i.e., discrimination, harassment, and/or sexual misconduct)
- the right to have an advisor or support person of their choosing (e.g., union representative) accompany them to any meetings or interviews throughout the process, as long as the involvement of the advisor or support person does not unduly delay, postpone or disrupt the proceedings. CSCC will provide a list of trained advisors for complainants and respondents to use in this capacity, if they choose
- the right to present evidence and witnesses on their behalf
- the right to receive written notice of the results of the investigation or outcome within a reasonable timeframe
- the right to request an appeal or review of the outcome of the procedure.
CSCC will provide options for supportive measures for both complainants and respondents involved in the complaint process. Upon receipt of a report involving students, the CSCC official involved with the complaint will provide contact information for relevant campus resources and services (i.e., campus counseling services, academic resources) to the student. These officials will also assist students in contacting campus resources and services as needed. All student complainants will also be provided a list of trained advisors/support persons that they may contact to assist them throughout this process, should they choose. However, they have the right to have any advisor/support person of their choosing and are not required to select someone from this list.
Upon receipt of a report involving employees, the CSCC official involved with the complaint will provide contact information for the short-term employee counseling program and for union representation as relevant.
Options for supportive measures will also be provided to respondents involved in the complaint process. When a student respondent receives a notice of allegations from the CSCC official involved with the complaint, they will be provided written contact information for relevant campus resources and services (i.e., campus counseling services, academic resources) to the student. These officials will also assist students in contacting campus resources and services as needed. All respondents will also be provided a list of trained advisors/support persons that they may contact to assist them throughout this process, should they choose. However, they have the right to have any advisor/support person of their choosing and are not required to select someone from this list.
When a respondent who is an employee receives a notice of allegations, the CSCC official involved with the complaint will provide contact information for the short-term employee counseling program and for union representation as relevant.
Supportive measures for students or employees could also include, but are not limited to:
- counseling
- extensions of deadlines or other course-related adjustments
- modifications of work or class schedules
- campus escort services
- restrictions on contact between the parties (no contact orders)
- changes in work or housing locations
- leaves of absence
- increased security and monitoring of certain areas of the campus.
It is important to note that a complainant has the right to supportive measures even if they choose not to initiate a formal complaint under these procedures.
Retaliation is prohibited per the CSCU Affirmative Action Policy. Retaliation can occur during the complaint process or at any time after the resolution of the complaint. Any concerns about retaliation should be promptly brought to the attention of the CSCC official involved with the complaint.
Retaliation occurs when a person is subjected to an adverse employment of educational action because they made a complaint under this policy or assisted or participated in any manner in an investigation. No institution or person may intimidate, threaten, coerce, or discriminate against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by Title IX or because the individual has made a report of complaint, testified, assisted or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding or hearing related to a report or complaint related to discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct.1
Filing a report through the CSCC complaint process has no bearing on other reporting procedures. Complainants may concurrently file reports with law enforcement, other state agencies, and any other entity as appropriate to their circumstances. Complainants will also never be required to file a report with another agency in order to file a report through CSCC.
Contact information for state and federal agencies where one can report discrimination, harassment and/or sexual misconduct in the workplace or educational environment are below. Individuals should contact these agencies directly for information on their reporting process, reporting timelines, and other matters.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
John F. Kennedy Federal Office Building
Government Center, Room 475
Boston, MA 02203 (617) 565-3200
Offices of the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities
999 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105 (860) 566-7710
100 Broadway, Norwich, CT (860) 886-5703
55 W. Main Street, Suite 210, Waterbury, CT 06702 (203) 805-6530
350 Fairfield Avenue, 6th Floor, Bridgeport, CT 06604 (203) 579-6246
United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
33 Arch Street, Ninth Floor
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 289-0111