Compliance

Commitment to Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination

Stony Brook University, which includes Stony Brook Medicine, the Long Island State Veterans’ Home and all other Stony Brook University facilities and programs, is fully committed to equal opportunity and the prevention and elimination of all forms of discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct.   

The Office of Equity and Access (OEA) is charged with ensuring compliance with Stony Brook policy, state and federal laws, regulations or guidance, that ensure equal opportunity and non-discrimination. The population served includes, but is not limited to, faculty, staff, students, patients, guests, vendors, and contractors associated with Stony Brook University.  

Stony Brook University is committed to creating and maintaining workplace, educational, and recreational environments that are safe, accessible, and free from all forms of discrimination.  Stony Brook University has implemented policies, such as the Equal Opportunity and Discriminatory Misconduct Policy, to ensure we fulfill this commitment across all academic, research, medical and professional settings in a way that also meets our legal obligations and responsibilities.  

We endeavor to embody a dynamic University community enriched by new perspectives and innovative ideas.  We strive to attract, recruit, and retain the best and brightest academics, researchers, healthcare providers and professionals.  We then, in turn, must empower them to unleash their potential, best utilize their talents, and achieve their aspirations.  This will allow Stony Brook University to embody the standard of excellence we strive to represent.  

Our Approach

OEA's approach includes fostering inclusion, embracing diversity, and ensuring equity.    Workplaces, educational spaces and healthcare facilities built on respect and fairness, welcoming to all regardless of background, and rooted in equal opportunity, are  critical to this end.   We welcome and value differing backgrounds and viewpoints.   We provide reasonable accommodation based upon disability, religious practice or belief and pregnancy when requested, and appropriate.  This approach allows all of our faculty, staff and students to thrive.

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains firmly grounded in our commitment to excellence and to  merit based opportunity, not in practices that use protected class, such as race, national origin, religion or sex, as a determinative factor in any of our practices.  Allowing membership in a protected class to negatively impact admissions, recruitment, academic or employment decisions violates Stony Brook University policy, as well as state and/or federal law.

Stony Brook policy and state and/or federal law prohibits discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, criminal conviction, domestic violence victim status, veteran status and/or military status in employment or the administration of its policies, programs, or activities.  This includes all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment and access for students, faculty, and staff. Stony Brook University's nondiscrimination policy affects all employment practices including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, benefits, compensation, training, educational opportunities, and terminations. Educational programs and activities covered include, but are not limited to admissions, recruitment, financial aid, treatment and services, counseling and guidance, classroom assignment, grading, vocational education, recreation, physical education, athletics, housing, sanctions, discipline and employment as well as any other activity, opportunity or program.   

Retaliation is strictly prohibited.   No one shall be subject to retaliation for inquiring about, instigating or participating in a complaint of discrimination or a request for an accommodation.

Experience or Witness Discrimination?  ReportIt.

All members of the Stony Brook community are encouraged to promptly report any alleged incidents of discriminatory misconduct, or any perceived irregularities in recruitment, compensation, advancement or academics. OEA is available to assist anyone who may wish to file a complaint or request an accommodation.