The classroom is composed of people with a rich variety of backgrounds and perspectives. Dr. Pabón is committed to providing an atmosphere for learning that respects and appreciates diversity. While working together to build this classroom atmosphere we ask all members to:
- share their unique experiences, values and beliefs
- be open to the views of others
- honor the uniqueness of others
- appreciate the opportunity that we have to learn from each other in this community
- value each other’s opinions and communicate in a respectful manner
- keep confidential discussions that the community has of a personal (or professional) nature
- use this opportunity together to discuss ways in which we can create an inclusive environment in this course and across the SUNY New Paltz community
Children in the Classroom Statement:
(minor adaption of the policy provided by Dr. Melissa Cheyney’s Syllabus):
I ask that all students work with me to create a welcoming environment that is respectful of all forms of diversity, including diversity in parenting status.
All exclusively breastfed babies are welcome in class as often as is necessary to support the breastfeeding relationship. Because not all mothers can pump sufficient milk, and not all babies will take a bottle reliably, I never want students to feel like they have to choose between feeding their baby and continuing their education. You and your nursing baby are welcome in class anytime.
For older children and babies, I understand that minor illnesses and unforeseen disruptions in childcare often put parents in the position of having to chose between missing class to stay home with a child and leaving them with someone you or the child does not feel comfortable with. While this is not meant to be a long-term childcare solution, occasionally bringing a child to class in order to cover gaps in care is perfectly acceptable (for similar reasons, my own child may make an appearance at some point in the semester).
In all cases where babies and children come to class, I ask that you sit close to the door so that if your little one needs special attention and is disrupting learning for other students, you may step outside until their need has been met. Non-parents in the class, please reserve seats near the door for your parenting classmates when possible.
I understand that often the largest barrier to completing your coursework once you become a parent is the tiredness many parents feel in the evening once children have finally gone to sleep. The struggles of balancing school, childcare and often another job are exhausting! I hope that you will feel comfortable disclosing your student-parent status to me. This is the first step in my being able to accommodate any special needs that arise. While I maintain the same high expectations for all student in my classes regardless of parenting status, I am happy to problem solve with you in a way that makes you feel supported as you strive for school-parenting balance.
Title IX and Related Policy Statement:
Gender discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual violence, stalking, and power-imbalanced sexual/romantic relationships between faculty and students are strictly prohibited within the SUNY New Paltz community. We encourage students to report, confidentially discuss, or raise questions and concerns regarding potential violations. Reports can be made to the Title IX Office, the department chair and/or the dean of your school. For information on Title IX reporting and support, visit www.newpaltz.edu/titleix/. The College’s Consensual Relationship Policy can be found at www.newpaltz.edu/hr/policies.html.
Consensual Relationships Between Faculty/Staff and Students
Relationships between a faculty member and a student, or a staff member (such as a coach, adviser, college administrator, or employment supervisor) and a student, are considered professional relationships. These professional relationships carry an inherent power differential. Where such a power differential exists, it compromises the real or perceived freedom of the student’s ability to begin, alter or terminate a romantic or sexual relationship. Therefore, for faculty and staff, the initiation of or engagement in a romantic or sexual relationship with a student wherein a power differential exists is prohibited.
The respect and trust accorded a professor or supervisor by a student, as well as the power exercised in giving praise or blame, grades, and/or recommendations for further study/ progress and future employment/success, greatly diminish the student’s actual freedom of choice should romantic involvement or sexual favors be included among the professor or supervisor’s demands or requests. The power differential between faculty or staff and students is clearly inherent in the difference in position in that faculty and staff exercise or are perceived to exercise influence over a student’s academic, professional, and/or extracurricular life on campus. Therefore, even in cases in which the faculty or staff member does not hold a current position of authority or supervision over the student, romantic or sexual relationships between faculty or staff members and students present the individual and institutional risks and liabilities outlined below, including possible disciplinary action.
Relationships of a romantic and/or sexual nature between a faculty or staff member and a student may present conflict of interest in violation of the New York Public Officers Law. Additionally, codes of ethics for most professional associations forbid the initiation of sexual or romantic relationships where professional/client, teacher/student, or supervisor/employee relationships exist. The College’s policy is consistent with those professional standards, and it models for students the expectations for professional relationships they are likely to encounter after graduation.
Process and Potential Outcomes
Under Title IX, faculty, department chairs, staff, and supervisors are obligated to contact the AAO/Title IX Coordinator to report sexual harassment, discrimination, or sexual violence that they observe or learn about. Faculty and staff who are aware of a romantic or sexual relationship between a faculty or staff member and a student should report their concerns to their supervisors.
When a complaint or an allegation is raised, the College has a duty to investigate it in accordance with Title IX and the college’s non-harassment/non-discrimination policy http://www.newpaltz.edu/media/human-resources/antiharassment.pdf. The College’s non- harassment/non-discrimination policy governs campus reporting and due process procedures with regard to claims of harassment, discrimination, or sexual violence. This policy has been reviewed and approved by the US Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR), SUNY Counsel’s Office, and is in accordance with NYS Education Law Article 129 B, also known as “Enough is Enough” legislation, passed into State Law in the summer of 2015.
The student who makes the complaint is entitled to processes specified in Title IX policies. Information on Title IX can be found at http://www.newpaltz.edu/titleix/reporting.html. If the process moves beyond consultation or informal resolution and results in a formal complaint process, the faculty or staff member who is accused is entitled to due process as specified in employment regulations and contractual language applicable to their collective bargaining unit.
If determined to have engaged in the prohibited behavior, the faculty or staff member could be subject to:
- formal discipline (as provided for in applicable collective bargaining agreements and state employment policies and processes) for violating their professional and ethical obligations to a student.
- charges of sexual harassment should such a complaint be filed by a party in the relationship.
- charges of discrimination should another student claim to receive inequitable treatment or otherwise claim to be adversely affected by the relationship.
Pre-existing Relationships
A faculty or staff member involved in a romantic or sexual relationship with a student that predates the adoption of this policy, or who enters the College community with such a relationship already in place, must promptly disclose the relationship to their supervisor. The supervisor must advise the Title IX Coordinator, and the faculty or staff member must agree to measures that appropriately mitigate the potential conflict of interest and the impact on the educational experience of the partner and/or other students.
Academic Integrity Policy Statement:
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of honesty in their college work. Cheating, forgery, and plagiarism are serious offenses, and students found guilty of any form of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary action. New Paltz’s policy on academic integrity is found at www.newpaltz.edu/ugc/policies/policies_integrity.html, and several excellent resources to help with avoiding plagiarism are available on the Sojourner Truth Library’s website: lib.newpaltz.edu/assistance/plag.html.
Reasonable Accommodation of Individuals with Disabilities Statement:
Students needing classroom and/or testing accommodations related to a disability should contact the Disability Resource Center (Student Union, Room 210, 845-257-3020) as close as possible to the beginning of the semester. The DRC will then provide students’ instructors with an Accommodation Memo verifying the need for accommodations. Specific questions about services and accommodations may be directed to Deanna Knapp, Assistant Director (knappd@newpaltz.edu) or Jean Vizvary, Director (vizvaryj@newpaltz.edu).
Veteran & Military Services Statement:
New Paltz’s Office of Veteran & Military Services (OVMS) is committed to serving the needs of veterans, service members and their dependents during their transition from military life to student life. Student veterans, service members or their dependents who need assistance while attending SUNY New Paltz may refer to www.newpaltz.edu/veterans; call 845-257-3120, -3124 or -3074; e-mail np-vms@newpaltz.edu; or stop by the Student Union, Room 100 South.
Computer and Network Policies Statement:
Users of New Paltz’s computer resources and network facilities are required to comply with the institutional policies outlined in the Acceptable Uses and Privacy Policy, available at www.newpaltz.edu/itpolicy/.
Incompletes:
Per University policy, a grade of Incomplete (I) will be considered only in the case where a student has completed at least 75 percent of the work for the course and a personal emergency prevents the student from completing the work of the semester. The student will be required to explain the circumstances necessitating an Incomplete, and may be asked to provide supporting documentation. If an Incomplete is granted, terms will be set at that time outlining remaining coursework and a timeline for its completion. Failure to fully meet these terms will automatically result in a failing grade. In all cases, Incompletes are granted solely at the instructor’s discretion.
Course Withdrawal:
The Last day of the semester to withdraw from a course without receiving a penalty grade is April 2, 2019.
Student Evaluation of Instruction:
You are responsible for completing the Student Evaluation of Instruction (SEI) for this course. We value your feedback and use it to improve my teaching and planning. Please complete the form during the open on-line period between April 23 and May 7, 2019.
