Ithaca College

In early March 2020, the U.S. Department of Education issued a letter to all colleges and universities across the nation regarding concerns of discrimination and bias related to the global pandemic of COVID-19, aka "coronavirus." The letter cites increased reports regarding stereotyping, harassment, and bullying directed towards students and faculty perceived to be of Chinese-American or, more generally, Asian descent.

In this time of global crisis, it is important that we lift up and model our commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social change within our campus community.

COMBATING STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19

Stigma and discrimination may occur when people associate an infectious disease, such as the coronavirus, with a population or nationality, even though not everyone in that population or from that region is infected or at risk for the disease. Stigma hurts everyone by creating fear or anger towards ordinary people instead of the disease that is the root of this issue. Please refer to our college's website or the CDC website for additional guidance.

• Viruses cannot target people from specific populations, ethnicities, or racial backgrounds.
• People—including Asian identifying folks—who have not recently been in an area of ongoing spread of COVID-19 or been in contact with a person who is a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 are not at greater risk of acquiring and spreading COVID-19 than other Americans. 
• Share the need for social support for people who have returned from affected countries or are worried about friends or relatives in the affected region.

(Language Adapted from the CDC and the University of Utah)

HATE CRIMES 

Article 485 of the New York State Penal Law highlights that the legislature finds and determines that “criminal acts involving violence, intimidation, and destruction of property based upon bias and prejudice have become more prevalent in New York State in recent years”.

Whether you have the potential of being the victim of a hate crime or of giving support to someone who has been a victim, the College is committed to educating all students about procedures for reporting offenses, the laws, and penalties related to them, available resources, and steps to prevent discriminatory behavior within the Ithaca College community.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Ithaca College's Hate Crimes Policy.

REPORTING

The Bias Impact Reporting Form is intended to provide students, staff, and faculty with a centralized way of accessing resources if they experience or witness a bias incident on campus, via social media, or at a college-affiliated event. This process is a tool that is being used in addition to formal complaint options. The information submitted is used to identify patterns of behavior and address areas where culture is counter to the College’s values of respect, accountability and equity. The reports will help the college to be more strategic when educating and/or preventing acts of bias in the future.

Reporting Sexual Misconduct- The Title IX Office would like to make students, faculty and staff aware that the office remains open virtually.  You can reach the Title IX Office by emailing Linda Koenig at lkoenig@ithaca.edu or Omar Stoute at ostoute1@ithaca.edu .  You can also call Linda Koenig at 607-274-7761 or Omar Stoute at 607-274-5136.  Our virtual office is open Monday-Friday from 8:30AM-5:00PM.  

Anyone reporting to the Title IX Office will be reached out to via email and offered an opportunity to meet over the phone or via a video chat. Students can also talk to someone confidentially if they are not ready to report to the College. For a list of confidential resources click here.

LEADERSHIP IN REAL-TIME

• 6 Ways to be Anti-Racist
• Anti-Racism 101 Resource List
• Being Anti-Racist

As President Collado mentioned in her last message to our campus community,  I hope we can continue to find creative and compassionate ways to be present for one another even though we cannot be together physically as a community. We appreciate the support and leadership demonstrated thus far.

In solidarity, 

-The Center for IDEAS Staff