The Department is deeply committed to ensuring that our community is protected against harms born of bias, discrimination and inequality. We actively avow the values of equity and diversity in the firm belief that our intellectual lives are enabled and enhanced by the constant pursuit of inclusive and just social conditions.
Students in the Department of Anthropology are protected by all of the relevant statutes of law, as well as university polices, and can expect to work and study in an environment that is free of harassment, aggression or discrimination. Students who believe that they have not benefitted from these protections can obtain information, advice and assistance from a number of independent offices, depending on the issues of concern.
This page aims to make those resources available, while also providing guidelines and policy statements that govern the conduct of graduate students in their status as both students and workers.
OFFICES AND RESOURCES
"The Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EOAA) works to prevent and respond to discrimination and harassment by developing and implementing policies and procedures that address discrimination, harassment, gender-based misconduct, permitted and prohibited relationships, the duty to report and the duty to act, in accordance with relevant federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws."
The visit the EOAA office webpage, click here.
The Ombuds Office exists "to help promote civility, mutual respect and ethical conduct, and to identify ways to prevent disruptive conflict by alerting the administration to policy issues and to recommend changes in University practices."
To visit the Ombuds Office webpage, click here.
The Title IX Office is “responsible for monitoring the university’s policies and procedures for resolving sexual and gender-based misconduct, harassment, and other complaints under Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in federally-funded educational institutions.”
To visit the Title IX Office webpage, click here.
The Office of Disability Services “facilitates equal access for students with disabilities by coordinating accommodations and support services.”
To visit the Office of Disability Services webpage, click here.
The Sexual Violence Response Office “provides trauma-informed, confidential support through crisis counseling/intervention, advocacy, prevention, and outreach focused on interpersonal violence and harassment. Our mission is to eradicate all forms of gender-based violence. Through collective community action, SVR is committed to social change and creating a culture of accountability.”
To visit the Sexual Violence Response webpage, click here.
The Office of the University Chaplain “works collaboratively with both University and Religious Life, to foster learning spaces for political, ethical, religious, spiritual dialogue and raising intercultural awareness. With Columbia’s faculty, deans, administrative teams and students, [the University Chaplain] helps address issues of campus life in a diverse community of various religious backgrounds, beliefs, cultures, identities, and values.”
To visit the Office of the University’s Chaplain webpage, click here.