Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

1.0 Equal Opportunity Statement

The Board of Trustees has affirmed the commitment of the college to nondiscrimination and to active efforts to provide equal employment opportunities:

“Vassar College states that it has been, and continues to be, its policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants in all job classifications without regard for race, color, religious belief, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, or age. Additionally, should state or federal law be enacted during the period this policy is extant which prohibits discrimination or harassment based upon a group’s protected status not listed in the above categories, this policy will be deemed amended to afford protection to such groups. It is and continues to be the policy of Vassar College that all applicants for employment are recruited, hired and assigned on the basis of personal merit without discrimination because of race, color, religious belief, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, or age. Furthermore, it is the practice of Vassar College to ensure that all its employees are treated equally and that no distinctions are made in compensation, promotion, and transfer because of the employee’s race, color, religious belief, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, or age."

Vassar College states that its policy of equal employment opportunity will continue to be maintained. It fully recognizes, however, that the passive avoidance of overt discrimination is not sufficient to further employment opportunity for qualified members of groups formerly underrepresented. Therefore, it is and will be the practice of Vassar College to seek out qualified candidates for appointment and promotion among minority group members and women for positions where they have been inadequately represented in the past.

2.0 Statement of Nondiscrimination

Vassar College seeks to comply with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations and ordinances prohibiting discrimination in employment and private higher education institutions. The College does not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant for admission on the basis of actual or perceived:

• 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.