DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND ACCESSIBILITY IN SPS CLASSROOMS

Responsible Unit: Office of Academic Affairs  
Approval by: Committee on Instruction 
Issue Date: October 10, 2023
Latest Revision: December 11, 2024
Audience: Faculty, Students, Program Administrators

OVERVIEW 

The School of Professional Studies (SPS) is dedicated to creating and maintaining inclusive learning environments where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. SPS values diversity across various identities and ensures equitable opportunities for participation, contribution, and success. The statements below articulate the School of Professional Studies’ expectations for conduct and behavior both inside and outside its classrooms. The statements herein on Inclusion, Names/Pronouns, Discrimination, Accessibility, Duty to Report, and Confidential Resources should be included on all SPS course syllabi and reviewed with students at the start of each class term. 

POLICY  

Inclusion

The School of Professional Studies is committed to the creation and maintenance of “inclusive learning” spaces – classrooms and other places of learning where you will be treated with respect and dignity, and where all individuals are provided an equitable opportunity to participate, contribute, and succeed. The School of Professional Studies welcomes students of all races/ethnicities, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, disabilities, religion or spirituality, regional background, veteran status, citizenship status, nationality and other diverse identities.

Names/Pronouns

You deserve to be addressed in a manner that reflects your identity. You are welcome to tell me your name and pronoun(s) you would like used in class, at any time, either in person or via email.

Discrimination

The School of Professional Studies embraces the diversity of gender, gender identity and expression, sex, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion and spirituality, disability status, family status, socioeconomic background, and other visible and non-visible identities. Columbia University does not tolerate unlawful discrimination, discriminatory harassment, sexual assault, domestic or dating violence, stalking, or sexual exploitation, and all such conduct is forbidden by Columbia University Policy.

Accessibility

The School of Professional Studies wants you to succeed in this course. Contact your SPS student advisor, who will connect you with Disability Services for learning accommodations. Columbia University is committed to providing equal access to qualified students with documented disabilities. A student’s disability status and reasonable accommodations are individually determined based upon disability documentation and related information gathered through the intake process. For more information regarding this service, please visit the Disability Services page to register with Disability Services. 

Duty to Report

It is Columbia University policy to require faculty and staff to report to Columbia's Office of Institutional Equity any instance or allegation of prohibited conduct involving any undergraduate or any graduate student that is disclosed to, observed by, or otherwise known to that employee. This requirement to report is in place to help ensure that you are provided appropriate resources and to allow the University to mitigate harm to our community.

Confidential Resources

Only those Columbia University employees who work in a confidential capacity will not report information shared with them. Multiple campus resources are available to you whose representatives and staff work in a confidential capacity and do not have a duty to report. These resources include:

WHO SHOULD KNOW THIS POLICY

All faculty members, students, and administrative staff within the School of Professional Studies. 

WHO IS GOVERNED BY THIS POLICY 

All faculty members, students, and academic administrators within the School of Professional Studies involved in teaching and learning.

EXCEPTIONS 

There are no specific exceptions noted for this policy.

POLICY CONTACT

For inquiries or guidance regarding this policy, please contact the Division of Academic Affairs: spsacademicaffairs [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu (spsacademicaffairs[at]columbia[dot]edu)