Other Institutional Policies

Statement of Nondiscrimination: Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Regulations

The Graduate School and University Center is an equal opportunity and affirmative action institution and, as a constituent unit of The City University of New York, adheres to the policy of the University to recruit, employ, retain, promote, and provide benefits to employees and to admit and provide services for students without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, legally registered domestic partnership status, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, prior record of arrest or conviction, alienage, citizenship, military or veteran status, or status as a victim of domestic abuse, sex offenses, or stalking.

Sexual harassment, a form of sex discrimination, is prohibited under the Graduate Center/CUNY Policy Against Sexual Harassment.

The City University of New York, as a public university system and the Graduate School and University Center as a constituent part, adhere to federal, state, and city laws and regulations regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action including among others, Executive Order 11246, as amended, the Civil Rights Law of 1866, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the New York State Human Rights Law, the New York State Civil Rights Law, and the New York City Human Rights Law. The ‘protected classes,’ as delineated in Executive Order 11246 (Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaskan native and Women), were expanded on December 9, 1976, by the Chancellor of The City University of New York to include Italian-Americans.

Should any federal, state, or city law or regulation be adopted that prohibits discrimination based on grounds or characteristics not included in this policy, this policy shall be read to prohibit discrimination based on those grounds or characteristics, as well.

Retaliation against any member of the Graduate Center or University community who has made a complaint of discrimination is prohibited.

Affirmative Action Officer: Ms. Edith Rivera, Room 7301; 1-212-817-7405

504/ADA Coordinator: Vice President for Student Affairs Matthew Schoengood, Room 7301; 1-212-817-7400

Title IX Coordinator: Vice President Matthew Schoengood, Room 7301; 1-212-817-7400

Sexual Harassment Coordinator: Professor Michelle Fine, Room 6304.17; 1-212-817-8710

Ombuds Officer: Professor Rolf Meyersohn, Room 7313; call for appointments at 1-212-817-7191. The Ombuds Officer offers complete confidentiality to all students, staff and faculty.

Assistant Vice President for Faculty and Staff Relations: Yosette Jones-Johnson, Room 8403; 1-212-817-7700.

Actions that involve discrimination or bias of any sort will be subject to disciplinary sanctions in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for the Maintenance of Public Order Pursuant to Article 129A of the Education Law, a copy of which will be found in the Bulletin of The Graduate Center. Students who believe they have been discriminated against in violation of this policy should bring their complaints to the Vice President for Student Affairs for investigation.

Pluralism and Diversity

The Graduate School and University Center is committed to following the letter and spirit of affirmative action laws and adheres to those policies and procedures established by the Graduate School and University Center and the Board of Trustees of The City University of New York that pertain to promoting pluralism and diversity and combating racism and bigotry. Concerns, questions, and complaints about equal employment and affirmative action may be addressed to Ms. Edith M. Rivera, Affirmative Action Officer, Room 7301; Telephone: 1-212-817-7405).

Disability Nondiscrimination Policy

The Graduate School and University Center does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admis­sion and retention of students or the employment of faculty and staff. For information regarding services and facilities for students with disabilities, please refer to the handbook section “Services for Students with Disabilities.”

An internal grievance procedure provides for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by the Office of Civil Rights under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Grievances should be addressed to Mr. Matthew G. Schoengood, Vice President for Student Affairs and 504 / ADA Coordinator, Room 7301; Telephone: 1-212-817-7400.

Policy Against Sexual Harassment

Below is reproduced The City University of New York’s Policy Against Sexual Harassment (approved by the CUNY Board of Trustees June 26, 1995, effective October 1, 1995; revised January 1, 2005). Additional copies of the full policy and procedures may be obtained from the Coordinator or Deputy Coordinators or from any other member of The Graduate Center's Sexual Harassment Awareness and Intake Committee (listed below), from The Graduate Center's Ombuds Officer (Dr. Rolf Meyersohn, Room 7313; 1-212-817-7191), from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs (Room 7301; 1-212-817-7400), and from the Office of Human Resources (Room 8403; 1-212-817-7700).

*Making a Complaint of Sexual Harassment: Any member of the University community may file a complaint of sexual harassment with, or report allegations of sexual harassment or direct an inquiry to, the Sexual Harassment Coordinator, a Sexual Harassment Deputy Coordinator, or any other member of the Sexual Harassment Awareness and Intake Committee. The President has designated the following persons to serve on the Graduate Center’s Sexual Harassment Awareness and Intake Committee.

Professor Michelle Fine
Coordinator
Ph.D. Program in Psychology
(Social-Personality)
Rm. 6304.17 / 1-212-817-8710

Professor Glenn Burger
Deputy Coordinator
Ph.D. Program in Theatre
Rm. 3112 / 1-212-817-8871

Ms. Edith M. Rivera
Deputy Coordinator
Affirmative Action Officer
Rm. 7301 / 1-212-817-7410

Ms. Anick Boyd
Student
Ph.D. Program in Comparative Literature
aboyd@gc.cuny.edu

Mr. Chris Grove
Student
Ph.D. Program in Anthropology
cgrove@gc.cuny.edu

Ms. Sharon Lerner
Director of Student Affairs
Rm. 7301 / 1-212-817-7413

Ms. Rhonda Palant
Assistant Program Officer
Ph.D. Program in Educational Psychology
Rm. 3204.07 / 1-212-817-8295

Ms. Tawana Spellen
Special Assistant to the Vice President and
Assistant Director for Administration
Office of Information Resources
Rm. 8311 / 1-212-817-7353

Ms. Rosa Valentin
CUNY Administrative Assistant
Office of Human Resources
Rm. 8403 / 1-212-817-7713

The City University of New York’s Policy Against Sexual Harassment

It is the policy of The City University of New York to promote a cooperative work and academic environment in which there exists mutual respect for all University students, faculty, and staff. Harassment of employees or students based upon sex is inconsistent with this objective and contrary to the University’s nondiscrimination policy. Sexual harassment is illegal under federal, state, and city laws, and will not be tolerated within the University.

The University, through its colleges, will disseminate this policy and take other steps to educate the University community about sexual harassment. The University will establish procedures to ensure that investigations of allegations of sexual harassment are conducted in a manner that is prompt, fair, thorough, and as confidential as possible under the circumstances, and that appropriate corrective and/or disciplinary action is taken as warranted by the circumstances when sexual harassment is determined to have occurred. Members of the University community who believe themselves to be aggrieved under this policy are strongly encouraged to report the allegations of sexual harassment as promptly as possible. Delay in making a complaint of sexual harassment may make it more difficult for the college to investigate the allegations.

A. Prohibited Conduct

It is a violation of University policy for any member of the University community to engage in sexual harassment or to retaliate against any member of the University community for raising an allegation of sexual harassment, for filing a complaint alleging sexual harassment, or for participating in any proceeding to determine if sexual harassment has occurred.

B. Definition of Sexual Harassment

For purposes of this policy, sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other oral or written communications or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

1. submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or academic standing;
2. submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for employment or academic decisions affecting such individual; or
3. such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or abusive work or academic environment.

Sexual harassment can occur between individuals of different sexes or of the same sex. Although sexual harassment most often exploits a relationship between individuals of unequal power (such as between a faculty member and student, supervisor and employee, or tenured and untenured faculty members), it may also occur between individuals of equal power (such as between fellow students or coworkers), or in some circumstances even where it appears that the harasser has less power than the individual harassed (for example, a student sexually harassing a faculty member). A lack of intent to harass may be relevant to, but will not be determinative of, whether sexual harassment has occurred.

C. Examples of Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment may take different forms. Using a person's response to a request for sexual favors as a basis for an academic or employment decision is one form of sexual harassment. Examples of this type of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to, the following:

• requesting or demanding sexual favors in exchange for employment or academic opportunities (such as hiring, promotions, grades, or recommendations);
• submitting unfair or inaccurate job or academic evaluations or grades, or denying training, promotion, or access to any other employment or academic opportunity, because sexual advances have been rejected.

Other types of unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature can also constitute sexual harassment, if sufficiently severe or pervasive that the target does find, and a reasonable person would find, that an intimidating, hostile, or abusive work or academic environment has been created. Examples of this kind of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to, the following:

• sexual comments, teasing, or jokes;
• sexual slurs, demeaning epithets, derogatory statements, or other verbal abuse;
• graphic or sexually suggestive comments about an individual's attire or body;
• inquiries or discussions about sexual activities;
• pressure to accept social invitations, to meet privately, to date, or to have sexual relations;
• sexually suggestive letters or other written materials;
• sexual touching, brushing up against another in a sexual manner, graphic or sexually suggestive gestures, cornering, pinching, grabbing, kissing, or fondling;
• coerced sexual intercourse or sexual assault.

D. Consensual Relationships

Amorous, dating, or sexual relationships that might be appropriate in other circumstances have inherent dangers when they occur between a faculty member, supervisor, or other member of the University community and any person for whom he or she has a professional responsibility. These dangers can include: that a student or employee may feel coerced into an unwanted relationship because he or she fears that refusal to enter into the relationship will adversely affect his or her education or employment; that conflicts of interest may arise when a faculty member, supervisor, or other member of the University community is required to evaluate the work or make personnel or academic decisions with respect to an individual with whom he or she is having a romantic relationship; that students or employees may perceive that a fellow student or coworker who is involved in a romantic relationship will receive an unfair advantage; and that if the relationship ends in a way that is not amicable, either or both of the parties may wish to take action to injure the other party.

Faculty members, supervisors, and other members of the University community who have professional responsibility for other individuals, accordingly, should be aware that any romantic or sexual involvement with a student or employee for whom they have such a responsibility may raise questions as to the mutuality of the relationship and may lead to charges of sexual harassment. For the reasons stated above, such relationships are strongly discouraged.

For purposes of this section, an individual has "professional responsibility" for another individual at the University if he or she performs functions including, but not limited to, teaching, counseling, grading, advising, evaluating, hiring, supervising, or making decisions or recommendations that confer benefits such as promotions, financial aid awards, or other remuneration, or that may impact upon other academic or employment opportunities.

E. Academic Freedom

This policy shall not be interpreted so as to constitute interference with academic freedom.

F. False and Malicious Accusations

Members of the University community who make false and malicious complaints of sexual harassment, as opposed to complaints which, even if erroneous, are made in good faith, will be subject to disciplinary action.

G. Procedures

The University has developed procedures to implement this policy. The President of each constituent college of the University, the Senior Vice Chancellor at the Central Office, and the Dean of the Law School shall have ultimate responsibility for overseeing compliance with this policy at his or her respective unit of the University. In addition, each dean, director, department chairperson, executive officer, administrator, or other person with supervisory responsibility shall be required to report any complaint of sexual harassment to the individual or individuals designated in the procedures. All members of the University community are required to cooperate in any investigation of a sexual harassment complaint.

H. Enforcement

There is a range of corrective actions and penalties available to the University for violations of this policy. Students, faculty, or staff who are found, following applicable disciplinary proceedings, to have violated this Policy are subject to various penalties, including termination of employment and/or student expulsion from the University.

The Procedures for Implementation of The City University’s Policy Against Sexual Harassment provide that any member of the University community may formally or informally report a complaint of sexual harassment or direct a question regarding sexual harassment to a member of the Graduate Center’s Sexual Harassment Awareness and Intake Committee, which includes the Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators as well as staff and student committee members. All complaints and questions not initially reported to the Coordinator will be referred to the Coordinator. The Coordinator is charged with the responsibility of reviewing all complaints and resolving them informally where possible. Any investigation that may be called for is carried out by the Coordinator, by a Deputy Coordinator designated by the Coordinator, or, if appropriate in a particular investigation, by another investigator specially appointed by the President. Complaints may be resolved formally or informally. Informal resolution may be effected at any point in the process by an arrangement acceptable to the complainant, the accused, and the college. The results of such investigations are reported to the President and, if the accused is a student, to the Vice President for Student Affairs. Otherwise, information gathered in connection with the complaint process is to be kept as confidential as possible. The President or, if appropriate, the Vice President for Student Affairs determines the action or actions to be taken. This may include preventive or corrective actions and bringing formal disciplinary charges before the appropriate disciplinary body or officer under applicable University bylaws or collective bargaining agreements.

Workplace Violence Policy and Procedures

Policy

The City University of New York prohibits workplace violence. Violence, threats of violence, intimidation, harassment, coercion, or other threatening behavior towards people or property will not be tolerated. Complaints involving workplace violence will not be ignored and will be given the serious attention they deserve. Individuals who violate this policy may be removed from University property and are subject to disciplinary and/or personnel action up to and including termination, consistent with University policies, rules, and collective bargaining agreements, and/or referral to law enforcement authorities for criminal prosecution. Complaints of sexual harassment are covered under the University’s Policy Against Sexual Harassment. The University, at the request of an employee or student, or at its own discretion, may prohibit members of the public, including family members, from seeing an employee or student on University property unless necessary to transact University-related business. This policy particularly applies in cases where the employee or student suspects that an act of violence will result from an encounter with said individual(s).

Scope

All faculty, staff, students, vendors, contractors, consultants, and others who do business with the University, whether in a University facility or off-campus location where University business is conducted, are covered by this policy. This policy also applies to other persons not affiliated with the University, such as former employees, former students, and visitors. When students have complaints about other students, they should contact the Office of Student Affairs (Room 7301; 1-212-817-7400). Students experiencing or witnessing imminent danger or actual violence involving weapons or personal injury should immediately call Security at ext. 7777.

The full text of the Workplace Violence Policy and Procedures may be found in the Bulletin of The Graduate Center.

Policy With Regard to Students and a Drug-Free School Environment

The Policy

The Graduate School and University Center is committed to being in full compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989 (Public Law 101-226). The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs is prepared to assist students with problems in the area of substance abuse in seeking corrective help.

The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of illicit drugs, alcohol, or other controlled substances by students or employees on Graduate Center premises or as part of any Graduate School and University Center activity is strictly prohibited.

Consequences of Violating the Policy

Any student found to be in violation of the Graduate School and University Center’s policy with regard to illegal drugs or alcohol shall be subject to the following range of sanctions as defined in the Bulletin of The Graduate Center: admonition, warning, censure, disciplinary probation, restitution, suspension, expulsion, ejection, and/or arrest and criminal prosecution by civil authorities.

Any visitor, licensee, or invitee found to be in violation of this policy shall be subject to ejection and, if applicable, to arrest by civil authorities.

Any organization that authorizes the violation of this policy shall have its permission to operate on campus rescinded.

Health Risks

The policies outlined above have been developed in order to safeguard the educational environment and protect individual members of the CUNY community. Grave legal and administrative consequences may result from breaches of these regulations, as do severe health risks that accompany substance abuse. Medically, both drug and alcohol abuse have been associated with sudden and/or early death, as well as a host of health problems, including: neurological impairment (brain damage), heart and liver degeneration, sexual impotence, and deterioration of the immune system, to name but a few. There are, in addition, particular risks to pregnant women and infants, reflected in higher mortality rates among mothers, as well as heightened susceptibility to illness and birth defects among infants. Negative effects upon the personal lives of drug and alcohol abusers are no less devastating. Often they cripple the individual’s ability to function on the job or in relationships with others. Far from being restricted to those who actually abuse substances, the effects of abuse cause unseen psychological damage to family members and loved ones, particularly to children, exerting an influence that frequently extends over lifetimes and even over generations.

Counseling and Assistance

Persons who are experiencing problems with drug or alcohol use may receive free, confidential health counseling and referral services in the Wellness Center (Student Health Services, 1-212-817-7020, and Psychological Counseling and Adult Development Center, 1-212-817-7020).

Religious Observances: Student Rights

Education Law Section 224-a, stating the rights and privileges of students unable to attend classes on certain days because of religious beliefs, appears below, as mandated by state law:

1. No person shall be expelled from or be refused admission as a stu­dent for the reason that he or she is unable, because of his or her religious beliefs, to register or attend classes or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirements on a particular day or days.
2. Any student who is unable, because of his or her religious beliefs, to attend classes on a particular day or days shall, because of such absence on the particular day or days, be excused from any examination or any study or work requirements.
3. It shall be the responsibility of the faculty and of the administrative ­officials to make available to each student who is absent from school because of religious beliefs an equivalent opportunity to register for classes or to make up any examination, study, or work requirements which he or she has missed because of such absence on any particular day or days. No fees of any kind shall be charged for making available to the said student such equivalent opportunity.
4. If registration, classes, examinations, study, or work requirements are held on Friday after 4 p.m. or on Saturday, similar or makeup classes, examinations, study, or work requirements, or opportunity to register shall be made available on other days, where it is possible and practicable to do so. No special fees shall be charged to the student for these classes, examinations, study, or work requirements held on other days.
5. In effectuating the provisions of this section, it shall be the duty of the faculty and of the administrative officials to exercise the fullest measure of good faith. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student because of that student’s use of the provisions of this section.
6. Any student who is aggrieved by the alleged failure of any faculty or administrative officials to comply in good faith with the provisions of this section shall be entitled to maintain an action or proceeding in the supreme court of the county in which the institution is located for the enforcement of rights under this section.

Notice of Access to Campus Crime Statistics, the Campus Security Report, and Information on Registered Sex Offenders

The Office of Security and Public Safety will provide upon request all campus crime statistics as reported to the U.S. Department of Education, as well as the annual campus security report. The campus security report includes: (1) the campus crime statistics for the most recent calendar year and the two preceding calendar years; (2) campus policies regarding procedures and facilities to report criminal actions or other emergencies on campus; (3) policies concerning the security of and access to campus facilities; (4) policies on campus law enforcement; (5) a description of campus programs to inform students and employees about campus security procedures and practices and to encourage students and employees to be responsible for their own security and the security of others; (6) campus crime prevention programs; (7) policy concerning the monitoring through the police of criminal activity at off-campus locations of students organizations officially recognized by the college; (8) policies on illegal drugs, alcohol, and underage drinking; (9) where information provided by the State on registered sex offenders may be obtained (also see below); and (10) policies on campus sexual assault programs aimed at the prevention of sex offenses and procedures to be followed when a sex offense occurs. This information is maintained pursuant to the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.

The campus crime statistics and the annual campus security report are available at the reference desk of the library and at http://web.gc.cuny.edu/Security/Crime/crime.htm (crime statistics) and http://web.gc.cuny.edu/Security/Crime/index.htm (campus security report). If you wish to be mailed copies of the campus crime statistics and the annual campus security report, you should contact Mr. John Flaherty, Director of Security and Public Safety, at 1.212.817.7761, and copies will be mailed to you within 10 days. The U.S. Department of Education’s website address for campus crime statistics is http://www.ope.ed.gov/security/GetOneInstitutionData.aspx. Click “Get data from one institution/campus” and then input the name of the school.

In accordance with the federal Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act, registered sex offenders now are required to register the name and address of any college at which he or she is a student or employee. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice maintains a registry of convicted sex offenders and informs the college’s chief security (public safety) officer of the presence on campus of a registered sex offender as a student or employee. You may contact the college’s chief security officer, Mr. John Flaherty, Director of Security and Public Safety (Room 9117; 1.212.817.7761), to obtain information about Level 2 or Level 3 registered sex offenders on campus. To obtain information about Level 3 offenders, you may contact the Division’s registry website at www.criminaljustice.state.
ny.us/nsor/sor_about.htm and then click on “Search for Level 3 Sex Offenders” or access the directory at the college’s public safety department or police precinct. To obtain information about Level 2 offenders, you need to contact the public safety department, local police precinct in which the offender resides or attends college, or the Division’s sex offender registry at 1.800.262.3257

Denial of Admission

The Provost’s Office of the Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York is responsible for ensuring compliance with the regulations of the Freedom of Information Law, Section 88, on public access. The Vice President for Student Affairs has been designated as the Records Access Officer. Requests for access to public records may be made in person or in writing. Records requested will be available for inspection and copying in the Office of Student Affairs, Room 7301, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. No fee is charged for the search for records, inspection, or certification. A fee not to exceed 25 cents per sheet may be charged for copying of records.

Freedom of Information Law

The Provost’s Office of the Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York is responsible for ensuring compliance with the regulations of the Freedom of Information Law, Section 88, on public access. The Vice President for Student Affairs has been designated as the Records Access Officer. Requests for access to public records may be made in person or in writing. Records requested will be available for ­inspection and copying in the Office of Student Affairs, Room 7301, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. No fee is ­charged for the search for records, inspection, or certification. A fee not to exceed 25 cents per sheet may be charged for copying of records.

Smoking Policy

Under The City University of New York Board of Trustees Resolution passed September 24, 1994, all CUNY facilities are smoke-free environments. No smoking is permitted at any time in the Graduate Center or in any space owned, leased, or operated by The City University of New York. Smoking is also prohibited in front of the building’s entrances. Violations by students of the no-smoking provisions will be referred to the Vice President for Student Affairs and may result in disciplinary action. Questions about the no-smoking policy should be addressed to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, Room 7301.

Graduate Center Facilities Access and Use Policy

Posting of Literature

The posting of signs, leaflets, and flyers is permitted on easels located in the elevator lobby of each floor, and on a bulletin board in the staff lounge, Room 8313. On the ground floor the easels are located adjacent to the elevator lobby. The posting of materials on walls, windows, doors, equipment, kiosks, elevators, and restrooms is prohibited. Posted literature must identify the issuing person or organization. Due to space limitations, outdated literature or duplicate postings on the same easel will be removed.

Distribution and Sale of Literature from Tables

Institutions of higher education need places where members of the institution can publicly present information about programs, activities, and issues. While the Graduate Center has a variety of public spaces for programs, we do not have the type of visible, central location at which information tables can be set up. Normally, this kind of “tabling” might take place in a centrally located student center or other similar location. Unfortunately, our facility does not have such a space. Our front lobby is a site that all community members must pass through, but the ability to place tables there is significantly restricted by safety considerations related to safe passage in and out of the building.

We have, however — in recognition of providing for this important function — developed a policy that will allow Graduate Center academic programs, centers or institutes, chartered DSC organizations, projects, and programs, and registered staff or faculty organizations to “table” in the lobby. In light of the restricted space available and specific fire and building regulations, the following policies will apply.

Other opportunities for handing out flyers and leaflets include the Student Center, outside the Dining Commons, and in conjunction with Graduate Center events.

Persons wishing to distribute literature in the Robert E. Gilleece Student Center should contact the Doctoral Students’ Council (the graduate student government), Room 5495; Telephone: 1-212-817-7888; Fax: 1-212-817-1592; email: dsc@gc.cuny.edu.

Meeting Space

Space-use fees are charged for all outside groups and for groups of which the Graduate Center or a Graduate Center entity is solely one of several participants or cosponsors. Space-use fees are not charged for Graduate Center Ph.D. and M.A. programs, Graduate Center research centers and institutes, the Doctoral Students’ Council, chartered doctoral student organizations, and registered staff and faculty organizations when the event is substantially and substantively the primary effort of one or more of these Graduate Center bodies. Waiver of a space use fee does not, however, preclude possible charges for extra audio-visual staff and equipment as well as for other additional facilities staff and security costs. Such charges are most typically necessary on weekends, when normal staffing is reduced and/or depend upon the size of the event and the type of space(s) being utilized. Reservation of space is arranged through the Graduate Center’s Room Reservations department, Roomres@gc.cuny.edu.

In addition, student meeting space is available in the Robert E. Gilleece Student Center through arrangement with the Doctoral Students’ Council, Room 5495; Telephone: 1-212-817-7888; Fax: 1-212-817-1592; email: dsc@gc.cuny.edu.

Demonstrations/Picketing

Picketing in an orderly manner is permitted in front of the building subject to New York City rules and regulations, which provide that there may not be interference with pedestrian traffic or with access to and egress from the building through all entrances. New York City regulations for picketing and demonstrations also provide that hand-held signs may not be mounted on sticks or other hard objects.

Amplification Devices

The use of sound amplification devices such as loudspeakers and “bullhorns” is not permitted inside or adjacent to the Graduate Center, because their use would interfere with instructional and other Graduate Center activities.

Signs

Persons holding banners, signs, or other objects may not block the view of other audience members at an event.

Security and Public Safety Measures

The following measures are some of the means that may be used by the Graduate Center’s Office of Security and Public Safety in striving to provide a safe and secure environment for the Graduate Center community and its visitors while protecting and respecting the rights of the individual, including free-speech rights: Enforcement of public assembly space occupancy limits; requiring the presentation of identification; assignment of additional security personnel; searching bags, packages, and other containers; requiring that coats, outerwear, bags, packages, and containers be put in checkrooms before entrance to events; the use of magnetometers (metal detectors); videotaping, audiotaping, and/or photographing an event; and requesting the presence of outside law enforcement agencies.

Rules and Regulations for the Maintenance of Public Order Pursuant to Article 129A of the Education Law

Rules and regulations for the maintenance of public order on college campuses and other college property used for educational purposes were adopted by the Board of Trustees of The City University of New York (formerly the Board of Higher Education) on June 23, 1969, in com­pliance with Chapter 191 of the Laws of 1969 of the State of New York. These rules and regulations are in effect at all campuses of The City University of New York. The full text may be found in the Bulletin of The Graduate Center. The following is an excerpt from these rules and regulations:

The tradition of the university as a sanctuary of academic freedom and center of informed discussion is an honored one, to be guarded vigilantly. The basic significance of that sanctuary lies in the protection of intellectual freedoms: the rights of professors to teach, of scholars to engage in the advancement of knowledge, of students to learn and to express their views, free from external pressures or interference. These freedoms can flourish only in an atmosphere of mutual respect, civility and trust among teachers and students, only when members of the university community are willing to accept self-restraint and reciprocity as the condition upon which they share in its intellectual autonomy.

Academic freedom and the sanctuary of the university campus extend to all who share these aims and responsibilities. They cannot be invoked by those who would subordinate intellectual freedom to political ends, or who violate the norms of conduct established to protect that freedom.