Frequently Asked Questions

We do this in several ways. First, we provide training and consultation with the community to help raise awareness concerning issues of discrimination and harassment. Second, when incidents of discrimination or harassment arise, we meet with affected individuals, either in person or online. In response to complaints of harassment, discrimination, and sexual misconduct, we then conduct formal and informal processes to remedy the situation. Finally, we coordinate services and work to support the College’s compliance efforts concerning all applicable state and federal civil rights laws related to equal opportunity, harassment, and discrimination.

Our team consists of Belinda Guthrie (who oversees the office), Jeffery Schnieder, Lynn Christenson, Johanne Foster, and Brian Van Brunt. We want you to learn about who works in our office and feel comfortable contacting us with questions or concerns. You can learn more about the team on our contact page. Please feel free to email us or fill out the contact form if you have any questions or concerns.

Our commitment to creating a safe working and learning environment follows a combination of federal and state laws as well as college-specific policies. In general, the list of protected classes covers groups that often experience discrimination and harassment. But instead of memorizing a list of protected classes, we suggest focusing on treating others in the Vassar community with respect and avoiding the creation of obstacles or barriers that exclude individuals from working or learning in our community.

The Office for Institutional Equity oversees, facilitates, and supports the college’s efforts to ensure equal opportunity for all persons regardless of the following:

• age (40 years and over in the employment context)
• citizenship and immigration status
• color
• creed
• disability (physical or mental, including having a history of a disability or being regarded as being disabled)
• domestic violence victim status
• familial or caregiver status
• gender expression, gender identity, or gender transition
• marital or domestic partnership status
• medical condition (cancer-related or predisposing genetic characteristics)
• national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics; citizenship or residency in a country with a dominant religion or distinct religious identity)
• pregnancy or related conditions
• race
• religion or sincerely held practice of religion
• sex or gender
• sexual orientation
• veteran or military status
• or any other legally protected characteristic.

The Support, Advocacy, and Violence Prevention (SAVP) Office is a private, confidential resource (previously called a private resource) that provides impacted parties with support and advocacy for dealing with sexual misconduct issues—either before or instead of coming to the Office for Institutional Equity. SAVP can be reached at savp@vassar.edu or (845) 437-7863. Social Identity Harm Advocates provide supportive measures to parties that experience bias because of their identities. Like SAVP, Social Identity Harm Advocates may also refer individuals to the Office for Institutional Equity for serious complaints.

It is helpful for us to know any specific details about the incident, things like the date, time, and the people involved, as well as your name and contact information. While we can accept anonymous reports, it does limit our ability to follow up and address your concerns. If you want to report an incident, you can fill out our reporting form or email us directly at equity@vassar.edu. If you are worried about what happens after you make a report or complaint, we are always available to talk with you directly about your concerns.

There are confidential resources on and off campus that offer a sounding board for students and employees to seek support and guidance when making or responding to a report of harassment, sexual violence, or discrimination. They can help if you want to talk to someone while you consider your next steps and decide if you want to report an incident to the College or law enforcement. Find a list of offices with trained confidential resources staff.

Yes, you can! Whether you are filing a report/complaint or responding to someone else who filed a report/complaint against you, we encourage students, faculty, and staff to bring a support person with them to meetings with our office. We understand this can be a new and difficult process, and having someone who can be there for you can be helpful.

An advisor is a person who can help support you during both an informal and formal process with our office. While we strive to explain the process clearly and transparently, we also understand that reporting or responding to allegations of harassment, sexual violence, or discrimination can be emotional and difficult, and having a trusted advisor, including an attorney, can make the process less stressful. You can choose someone to be your advisor, or, in a formal investigation, we can provide an advisor for you at no cost. Your advisor must follow the federal, state, and college processes (this includes being there for support, not interrupting the process or making legal observations or objections).

That depends on the kind of outcome you are seeking. If you are interested in a facilitated dialogue, mediation, or a restorative approach, we can offer an informal resolution. Both parties must voluntarily agree to participate in an informal resolution process, which can take various forms and does not require parties to meet directly, either in person or virtually. Informal resolutions do not result in a determination of responsibility and do not include sanctions, but rather focus on remedies that are tailored to the needs of each party. If you are seeking an outcome that finds someone responsible and imposes sanctions against those who violate the policy, then you will want to pursue a formal resolution, which includes an investigation and presentation of evidence to an impartial and external decision-maker.

The College is required to use the 2020 Title IX process to investigate and resolve nearly all cases of sexual harassment. Formal grievances under this policy require live hearings, which are conducted through videoconferencing. Cases that occur off-campus or that involve harassment on the basis of sexual orientation or a non-normative gender identity are handled through our 2024 policy against discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct, which does not require live hearings.

No, the complainant does not have to confront the respondent or be in the same room with them. Vassar College’s policies ensure that both parties have equal access to the resolution process while also prioritizing safety and comfort.

During Title IX hearings, parties can be in separate rooms with technology that allows for participation without direct confrontation. Additionally, informal resolution options may be available that do not require direct contact. If you have concerns about participation, please contact us so we can understand your needs and concerns, and identify supportive measures that would enable you to participate in an informal or formal resolution process.

Vassar College offers a range of supportive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of parties involved in matters related to discrimination, discriminatory harassment, sexual misconduct, or retaliation. These measures are available to both the Complainant and Respondent and do not require filing a formal complaint.

Students or employees who have been accused of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, or retaliation can seek support and guidance from several campus resources, including:

• The Office for Institutional Equity – The Institutional Equity Team can explain the process, available resources, and supportive measures.
• Confidential Resources – Students accused of violating our policies against discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct/Title IX can access support through the Counseling Service, Health Service, the CARE office, or religious/spiritual advisors. Employees can seek support through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and off-campus confidential resources. 
• A Support Person or Advisor – Individuals may choose an advisor to assist them throughout the process. The Office for Institutional Equity will also appoint a free advisor to help you.
• Human Resources (for Employees) – HR can provide guidance on workplace-related concerns.