Title VI and Nondiscrimination

Monroe University is committed to maintaining a learning, working, living, and visiting environment where all individuals are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect. Monroe prohibits discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, and retaliation and responds to reported concerns in accordance with University policy and applicable law.

Because Monroe University receives federal financial assistance, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 applies to Monroe’s programs and activities. Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, including actual or perceived shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, in University programs, activities, services, and operations.

Title VI protections apply across Monroe’s education programs and activities, including admissions, recruitment, financial aid, academic programs, student services, counseling and advising, discipline, grading, athletics, housing, dining, campus activities, internships, University-sponsored programs, and other services and operations. Students, employees, applicants, visitors, contractors, and other participants in Monroe programs or activities may report concerns involving race, color, national origin, shared ancestry, or ethnic characteristics to Monroe’s Title VI Coordinator.

Monroe’s Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy and Resolution Procedures also prohibit discrimination and harassment based on additional protected characteristics under federal, state, and local law. Reports involving sex discrimination or sexual misconduct should be directed to Monroe’s Title IX Coordinator. Reports involving other protected classes may be directed to Human Resources or the appropriate University office. Monroe will route reports to the appropriate office or process.

View the full text of Monroe University’s Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy and Resolution Procedures.

Submit an online report:
Title VI (Discrimination based on Protected Classes) Reporting Form

Immediate Help

If you are in immediate danger, need urgent medical assistance, are a victim of a crime, or believe there is an immediate threat to health or safety, call 911.

For on-campus assistance, contact Monroe University Public Safety:

Bronx Campus Public Safety
646-393-8495

New Rochelle Campus Public Safety
914-740-6854

You are not required to report to law enforcement to request support or file a report with Monroe. If you would like help contacting law enforcement, Monroe Public Safety, the Title VI Coordinator, the Title IX Coordinator, or Human Resources can assist you.

Monroe University’s Title VI Coordinator coordinates the University’s response to reports of discrimination or harassment based on race, color, national origin, shared ancestry, or ethnic characteristics. The Title VI Coordinator also helps coordinate Title VI compliance, reporting information, supportive measures, training, and related University responses.

Christopher E. Barto
Vice President, Compliance & Government Relations
Title VI Coordinator
145 Huguenot Street, 3rd Floor
New Rochelle, NY 10801
Phone: 914-740-6590
Email: cbarto@monroeu.edu

You may contact the Title VI Coordinator to ask questions, report a concern, request supportive measures, file a formal complaint, or get help understanding Monroe’s policies and procedures.

Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, including shared ancestry. National origin protections may include discrimination or harassment based on actual or perceived ancestry, ethnic characteristics, birthplace, country or region of origin, language, accent, surname, cultural identity, or association with people of a particular race, color, national origin, shared ancestry, or ethnic background.

Title VI also protects individuals from retaliation for reporting discrimination, participating in an investigation or resolution process, supporting another person’s report, or opposing conduct they reasonably believe is discriminatory.

Examples of concerns that may raise Title VI issues include, but are not limited to:

• Racial, ethnic, ancestral, or national origin slurs. 
• Harassment based on accent, language, surname, appearance, cultural dress, natural hair, or perceived ethnicity. 
• Excluding someone from a class, activity, organization, job-related opportunity, service, or campus program because of race, color, national origin, shared ancestry, or ethnic characteristics. 
• Stereotyping, mocking, intimidating, threatening, or humiliating someone based on race, color, national origin, shared ancestry, or ethnic characteristics. 
• Online harassment, group chat messages, social media posts, images, symbols, or memes targeting individuals or groups based on race, color, national origin, shared ancestry, or ethnic characteristics. 
• Vandalism, property damage, threats, intimidation, physical violence, sexual violence, or other conduct that may constitute a hate crime or bias-related crime under applicable law, when connected to a person’s actual or perceived race, color, national origin, shared ancestry, or ethnic characteristics.
• Unequal enforcement of policies, discipline, grading, access to programs, or access to services based on race, color, national origin, shared ancestry, or ethnic characteristics. 
• Retaliation against someone for reporting discrimination, supporting another person, serving as a witness, or participating in a University process. 

Reports involving potential hate crimes, violence, threats, sexual violence, or immediate safety concerns may also be referred to Monroe Public Safety, the Title IX Coordinator, law enforcement, or other appropriate offices, consistent with University policy and applicable law.

Harassment or discrimination involving antisemitism, anti-Muslim bias, anti-Arab bias, anti-Palestinian bias, anti-Asian bias, anti-Black bias, anti-Latino bias, or other bias may raise Title VI concerns when it is based on race, color, national origin, shared ancestry, ethnic characteristics, or perceived ties to a country or region.

Title VI does not directly cover religious discrimination solely because it is religious discrimination. However, conduct involving Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, or other religious communities may be covered by Title VI when the conduct is based on actual or perceived shared ancestry, ethnic characteristics, national origin, or ties to a country or region. Conduct that is not covered by Title VI may still violate Monroe University policy or other federal, state, or local laws. Please report concerns even if you are unsure which law or policy applies.

Any person may report discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, including:

• Students.  
• Employees, including faculty, staff, administrators, supervisors, managers, and student workers. 
• Applicants for admission. 
• Applicants for employment. 
• Visitors.  
• Volunteers.  
• Interns.  
• Contractors and other non-employees working with or at the University. 
• Parents, family members, witnesses, or other third parties. 

A person may report conduct they experienced personally or conduct they witnessed or learned about.

Monroe’s Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy applies to conduct that occurs on University premises, at University-sponsored or affiliated activities and events, through University-related technology or communications, and in certain off-campus situations where there is a sufficient connection to the University or the conduct affects access to Monroe’s programs, activities, employment, or services.

You do not need to know whether something is a Title VI issue before reporting. If you experienced or witnessed conduct that may involve discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, Monroe encourages you to report it so the University can review the information, offer support, and determine appropriate next steps.

Report Online:

Submit a report through Monroe’s secure online Title VI (Discrimination Based on Protected Classes) Reporting Form.

Contact the Title VI Coordinator:

Christopher E. Barto
Vice President, Compliance & Government Relations
Title VI Coordinator
145 Huguenot Street, 3rd Floor
New Rochelle, NY 10801
Phone: 914-740-6590
Email: cbarto@monroeu.edu

Report in Person, by Phone, by Email, or by Mail:

You may contact the Title VI Coordinator by phone, email, mail, or in person. If you are not sure where to report, use the online reporting form or contact any office listed on this page. Monroe will route the matter to the appropriate office.

Anonymous Reports:

You may report with your name or anonymously. Please understand that not providing your name or enough detail may limit the University’s ability to respond, investigate, or provide individualized supportive measures.

Where to Report Different Types of Concerns:

• Race, color, national origin, shared ancestry, or ethnic characteristics:
  Contact the Title VI Coordinator.
• Sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, or other sexual misconduct:
  Contact the Title IX Coordinator or visit Monroe’s Title IX and Sexual Misconduct page.
• Other protected-class discrimination or harassment:
  Contact Human Resources/Equal Opportunity or use Monroe’s secure reporting form (above).

Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Officer
Kerry Wirsing
Executive Director, Human Resources
Phone: 646-393-8306
Email: kwirsing@monroeu.edu
145 Huguenot Street, 4th Floor
New Rochelle, NY 10801

Report vs. Formal Complaint

A report is any disclosure of alleged discrimination, harassment, or retaliation made to the University. A report may be made verbally or in writing. Making a report does not automatically require a formal investigation although the University may be required to act depending on the information received to conduct at least some level of inquiry.

After receiving a report, Monroe will explain available supportive measures, privacy, rights and options, and available resolution procedures. Monroe will also explain how to request a formal investigation if the reporting person wants to do so.

A formal complaint is a written submission describing the allegations and requesting that Monroe investigate. If a verbal report is made and the matter proceeds formally, Monroe may reduce the complaint to writing for review by the complainant, consistent with University policy.

Supportive measures are available whether or not a formal complaint is filed.

After Monroe receives a report involving race, color, national origin, shared ancestry, or ethnic characteristics, the Title VI Coordinator or appropriate University official will generally:

1. Review the report. 
2. Contact the reporting person or complainant, when contact information is available. 
3. Explain rights, options, supportive measures, privacy, and relevant University procedures. 
4. Assess any immediate safety or risk concerns. 
5. Determine which University policy or procedure applies. 
6. Offer supportive measures, as reasonably available, regardless of whether a formal complaint is filed. 
7. Explain informal and formal resolution options, when available and appropriate. 

Reports of discrimination and harassment based on race, color, national origin, shared ancestry, ethnic characteristics, or other protected classes are generally addressed through Procedure A: General Discrimination Resolution Procedure of the Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy, unless the reported conduct involves sexual harassment or sexual misconduct, which is addressed through Procedure B: Title IX & Sexual Misconduct Resolution Procedure of the Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy. If allegations are raised that implicate more than one type of discrimination, including harassment, the University will use the applicable policies and procedures to resolve the allegations. 

During the process, parties are provided a fair, impartial, and timely process; supportive measures as reasonably available; written notice of allegations when a formal process is initiated; an opportunity to be heard; protection from retaliation; notice of the outcome and any remedies or sanctions; and access to external reporting options.

Supportive Measures

Supportive measures are individualized services designed to restore or preserve equal access to Monroe’s education programs, activities, services, or employment. Supportive measures are non-disciplinary and non-punitive and may be available whether or not a formal complaint is filed.

Supportive measures may include, but are not limited to:

• No-contact directives between involved individuals. 
• Academic adjustments, such as extensions, schedule changes, flexible attendance, or changes to class modality. 
• Workplace adjustments, such as modified schedules, temporary changes to work duties, or other employment-related adjustments. 
• Housing, parking, or commuting modifications. 
• Safety planning and Public Safety assistance, including campus safety escorts or increased monitoring where appropriate. 
• Referrals to counseling, wellness, medical, community, or other support resources. 

Supportive measures are tailored to the circumstances. Supportive measures do not mean that Monroe has made a finding of responsibility or determined that a policy violation occurred. Monroe will maintain the privacy of supportive measures to the extent possible while meeting its legal and policy obligations.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Monroe University respects the privacy of individuals involved in reports of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Information related to a report will be shared only with individuals who have a legitimate educational, administrative, safety, or legal need to know.

Complete confidentiality cannot be guaranteed because the University may need to take action to provide support, maintain safety, comply with law, or respond to reported conduct. Certain designated confidential resources, such as licensed counselors, medical providers, clergy acting in a pastoral capacity, or other professionals designated by the University, may be able to keep information confidential except as required by law or professional obligations.

Most Monroe employees are not confidential resources and must share information about possible policy violations with the appropriate University office.

Employee Reporting Responsibilities

Monroe employees who are not confidential resources are required to report suspected or known violations of the Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy to the appropriate University office.

Employees who learn about possible discrimination or harassment based on race, color, national origin, shared ancestry, or ethnic characteristics must report the concern to the Title VI Coordinator as soon as they are reasonably able.  An employee should not attempt to resolve the matter on their own. If an employee is unsure whether conduct must be reported, the employee should report it so that the Title VI Coordinator can assess the concern.

Retaliation Is Prohibited

Monroe University prohibits retaliation against any person who reports discrimination or harassment, files a complaint, participates in a University process, serves as a witness, supports another person, or opposes conduct they reasonably believe violates University policy.

Retaliation can include threats, intimidation, coercion, harassment, adverse academic or employment action, exclusion, abuse, violence, or other conduct that would discourage a person from reporting or participating. Reports of retaliation should be made immediately to the Title VI Coordinator, Human Resources, the Title IX Coordinator, Public Safety, or another appropriate University official.

Good-faith reports are protected from retaliation even if the reported facts are not ultimately substantiated.

Rights and Responsibilities

Members of the Monroe community have the right to:

• Report discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. 
• Request supportive measures as the person alleging harm as well as the accused person. 
• Be treated with dignity and respect. 
• Receive information about applicable University procedures. 
• Be free from retaliation. 
• Access external reporting options. 
• Request disability-related accommodations or language assistance when needed. 

Members of the Monroe community are responsible for helping maintain an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Employees with reporting obligations must promptly report suspected or known violations to the appropriate University office. All individuals are expected to comply with University directives, including no-contact directives or safety measures, and to participate honestly in University processes.

Free Expression and Academic Freedom

Monroe University values free expression, academic freedom, and open discussion, including discussion of difficult or controversial topics. Monroe’s Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy is not intended to restrict lawful expression, serious academic inquiry, or protected discussion of political, social, religious, or international issues.

At the same time, the University has a responsibility to provide an environment free from discrimination and harassment. Monroe may address speech or conduct when, under the totality of the circumstances, it is based on a protected characteristic and creates or contributes to a hostile environment, threatens or incites violence, involves discriminatory harassment, or otherwise limits or denies equal access to Monroe’s programs, activities, employment, or services.

Monroe will not determine that speech or conduct violates University policy solely because it is offensive, unpopular, or expresses a political, social, or religious viewpoint.

Monroe University encourages individuals to report concerns to the University so it can respond, offer support, and address conduct affecting the Monroe community. Individuals may also file complaints with external civil rights agencies. Reporting to Monroe does not prevent a person from filing with an outside agency, and filing externally does not prevent a person from also reporting to Monroe.

Deadlines may apply to external complaints. Individuals are encouraged to contact the relevant agency promptly for current filing requirements.

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights enforces federal civil rights laws in education, including Title VI.

Phone: 800-421-3481
Email: OCR@ed.gov
Address: U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-1100
https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/civil-rights-laws/file-complaint

New York State Division of Human Rights

The New York State Division of Human Rights enforces the New York State Human Rights Law.

Phone: 844-697-3471
Email: info@dhr.ny.gov
TDD/TTY: 718-741-8300
Address: One Fordham Plaza, Bronx, NY 10458
https://dhr.ny.gov/report

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Employees and applicants with employment discrimination concerns may contact the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Phone: 1-800-669-4000
TTY: 1-800-669-6820
ASL Video Phone: 844-234-5122
New York District Office: 33 Whitehall Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10004
https://www.eeoc.gov/federal-sector/filing-formal-complaint

Do I need to know whether my concern is covered by Title VI before reporting?

No. You do not need to identify the correct policy, law, or procedure before reporting. If you experienced or witnessed conduct that may involve discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, report it. Monroe will review the information and route it to the appropriate office.

Can I report something that happened online or off-campus?

Yes. Monroe University may review conduct that happens online, through text messages, email, social media, group chats, or other technology. Monroe may also review off-campus conduct when it is connected to a University program, activity, relationship, event, employment, or service, or when it affects a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from Monroe’s programs or activities.

Can students, employees, and visitors all report Title VI concerns?

Yes. Students, employees, applicants, visitors, volunteers, contractors, and other community members may report discrimination, harassment, or retaliation affecting Monroe’s programs, activities, employment, or services.

Can I get support without filing a formal complaint?

Yes. Supportive measures may be available even if you do not file a formal complaint or request an investigation.

Will Monroe keep my report private?

Monroe will make reasonable efforts to protect privacy and will share information only with those who need it to respond, provide support, comply with law, or address safety concerns. Complete confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. If you want to speak with someone confidentially, ask whether the person is a confidential resource before sharing details.

What if I am afraid of retaliation?

Retaliation is prohibited. If you believe you are experiencing retaliation, report it immediately to the Title VI Coordinator, Human Resources, the Title IX Coordinator, Public Safety, or another appropriate University official.

What if the conduct also involves sex discrimination or sexual misconduct?

Report it. Monroe will route the matter to the appropriate office. Concerns involving sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, quid pro quo sexual harassment, or sex-based hostile environment harassment are addressed through Monroe’s Title IX and Sexual Misconduct process.

What if the conduct involves religion?

Religion alone is not directly covered by Title VI. However, discrimination or harassment involving religion may be covered by Title VI when it is based on race, color, national origin, shared ancestry, ethnic characteristics, or perceived ties to a country or region. Religious discrimination may also be covered by Monroe University policy or other federal, state, or local laws. Please report the concern so Monroe can review and route it appropriately.