University Policies

10.1 Non-Discrimination Policy*

Fordham University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity, creed, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, height, weight, marital or partnership status, citizenship or immigration status, caste, military status, disability, pregnancy, genetic predisposition or carrier status, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other legally protected status in the administration of its admissions policies, educational policies, employment, scholarship, loan, and other University-administered programs; treatment, or in access to University programs or activities.

Fordham University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment in compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Violence Against Women Act, and other federal, state, and local laws.

The Title IX Coordinator oversees the University’s Title IX compliance efforts and is responsible for coordinating the University’s response to all reports on sexual and related misconduct, including sex- or gender-based discrimination involving educational programs, gender equity in athletic programs, employment, and admission. The Title IX Coordinator also collects data from all University Title IX reports to monitor the process, including outcomes, to identify and address any patterns or systemic issues that may arise.

Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX and its implementing regulation may be referred to the University’s designated Title IX Coordinator listed below or to the Assistant Secretary of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), U.S. Department of Education, Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-1100. Call the OCR main numbers toll free at 800-421-3481 or 800-877-8339 (TDD). Or contact the OCR’s New York office at [email protected] or 646-428-3800.

You may contact the University's Office of the Title IX Coordinator at:

*Due to changing legal guidelines, please refer to the Notice of University-Wide Non-discrimination Policy and the Designation of the Title IX Coordinator website for Fordham’s most up-to-date policies. 

10.2 Statement on Academic Rights and Responsibilities

Intellectual pluralism and academic freedom are central principles of American higher education. Recently, these issues have captured the attention of the media, political leaders, and those in the academy. This is not the first time in the nation’s history that these issues have become public controversies, but the current interest in intellectual discourse on campus suggests that the meaning of these terms, and the rights and responsibilities of individual members of the campus community, should be reiterated.

Without question, academic freedom and intellectual pluralism are complex topics with multiple dimensions that affect both students and faculty. Moreover, America’s colleges and universities vary enormously, making it impossible to create a single definition or set of standards that will work equally well for all fields of academic study and all institutions in all circumstances. Individual campuses must give meaning and definition to these concepts within the context of disciplinary standards and institutional mission.

Despite the difficulty of prescribing a universal definition, we believe that there are some central, overarching principles that are widely shared within the academic community and deserve to be stated affirmatively as a basis for discussion of these issues on campuses and elsewhere.

• American higher education is characterized by a great diversity of institutions, each with its own mission and purpose. This diversity is a central feature and strength of our colleges and universities and must be valued and protected. The particular purpose of each school, as defined by the institution itself, should set the tone for the academic activities undertaken on campus.
• Colleges and universities should welcome intellectual pluralism and the free exchange of ideas. Such a commitment will inevitably encourage debate over complex and difficult issues about which individuals will disagree. Such discussions should be held in an environment characterized by openness, tolerance, and civility.
• Academic decisions, including grades, should be based solely on considerations that are intellectually relevant to the subject matter under consideration. Neither students nor faculty should be disadvantaged or evaluated on the basis of their political opinions. Any member of the campus community who believes he or she has been treated unfairly on academic matters must have access to a clear institutional process by which his or her grievance can be addressed.
• The validity of academic ideas, theories, arguments, and views should be measured against the intellectual standards of relevant academic and professional disciplines. Application of these intellectual standards does not mean that all ideas have equal merit. The responsibility to judge the merits of competing academic ideas rests with colleges and universities and is determined by reference to the standards of the academic profession as established by the community of scholars at each institution.
• Government’s recognition and respect for the independence of colleges and universities is essential for academic and intellectual excellence. Because colleges and universities have great discretion and autonomy over academic affairs, they have a particular obligation to ensure that academic freedom is protected for all members of the campus community and that academic decisions are based on intellectual standards consistent with the mission of each institution.

As of June 23, 2005, the following organizations have endorsed this statement:

American Association of Community Colleges
American Association of State Colleges and Universities
American Association of University Professors
American Council on Education
American Dental Education Association
American Political Science Association
Association of American Colleges and Universities
Association of American Law Schools
Association of American Universities
Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities
Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges
Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers
Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities
The College Board
College Student Educators International
College and University Professional Association for Human Resources
Council for Advancement and Support of Education
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
Council for Higher Education Accreditation
Council for Opportunity in Education
Council of Graduate Schools
Council of Independent Colleges
EDUCAUSE
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges
National Association of Student Personnel Administrators
University Continuing Education Association

10.3 Sexual and Related Misconduct Policy*

Fordham is committed to maintaining a community in which its members live, work, and learn in a safe and respectful environment that is free from all forms of sex- and gender-based discrimination. In furtherance of this commitment, and in accordance with federal, state and local laws, the University prohibits the following forms of sexual or related misconduct: sex and gender discrimination, sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, prohibited consensual relationships, sexual exploitation and other sexual misconduct, and intimidation and/or retaliation.

Fordham University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment in compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Violence Against Women Act, and other federal, state, and local laws.

Sexual and related misconduct can occur between strangers, acquaintances, or people who know each other well, including people who are involved in an intimate or sexual relationship, and may be committed by anyone regardless of sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. Fordham will take prompt and effective steps to end the sexual and related misconduct, eliminate the hostile environment, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effects.

*Due to changing legal guidelines, please refer to this website for Fordham’s complete, most up-to-date policies on sexual and related misconduct.

10.4 Education Records Policy

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a written request for access. A student should submit to the Office of Academic Records-Fordham University Enrollment Group at the Rose Hill Campus, the Lincoln Center Campus, or the Law School Registrar, if applicable, a written request that identifies the record(s) he/she wishes to inspect. The Office of Academic Records-Enrollment Group will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the Student believes are inaccurate or misleading. A student may ask the University to amend a record that he/she believes is inaccurate or misleading. The student should write the University Registrar or the Law School Registrar, clearly identifying the part of the record he/she wants changed, and specifically why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One of the exceptions which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, collection agent, contractor, consultant, volunteer), or other outside parties under the direct control of the University with respect to the use and maintenance of education records; a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as on a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
4. Upon the request of officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, the University may disclose educational records without the student’s consent.
5. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Fordham University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. 

10.5 Services for Students with Disabilities

The Office of Disability Services (ODS) works closely with students, faculty, and administrators to ensure appropriate services for students with documented disabilities in accordance with Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title III of the Americans and Disabilities Act of 1990. Students who register with ODS will complete the same coursework as their peers, and registration does not become a part of a student's transcript. The University will make every attempt to provide reasonable accommodations to students who have a documented disability. If you have further questions, you can contact ODS by calling the Rose Hill office (718-817-0655), Lincoln Center office (212-636-6282) or [email protected] for more information.

10.6 Weather-Related Cancellations

The decision to cancel classes due to weather conditions will be made by the Provost. The University will also provide a recorded message on 212-636-7777, and 1-800-280-SNOW and will display information on its homepage, fordham.edu.

If a final examination is canceled, the dean of the appropriate college/school in consultation with the Office of Academic Records will reschedule the final examination. If a regular class meeting is canceled, faculty should make a reasonable effort to make up the class. Ultimately, the decision to make up a class is at the instructor’s discretion.

10.7 What To Do In An Emergency: The Emergency Management Plan

The Emergency Management Plan Information on Fordham’s Emergency Management Plan can be found on the University’s website.

As described in this document, in some circumstances it may be necessary to request faculty or staff to assume temporary roles outside their normal scope of their duties, taking into consideration their ability to carry out these temporary roles. Academic deans and department chairs are responsible for ensuring that faculty teaching classes during an emergency remain with their students, follow instructions, and account for all students in their respective classes.

In the event of a fire alarm sounding while class is occurring, either during a fire drill or because of a smoke or fire condition, faculty teaching at Rose Hill and Westchester are requested to immediately have their students exit the building via the nearest staircase and assemble at a safe area at least 100 feet from the building entrance. Faculty teaching at Lincoln Center should direct students to stand by the nearest staircases and await directions from floor fire wardens, public safety personnel or a broadcast over the public address systems. Elevators should not be
used unless directed by Public Safety in the Law School. Classroom doors should be closed after the last person has exited the room. Fire wardens have been designated for each campus building and will assist in the evacuation. Campus public safety personnel will also be present to determine the cause of the alarm and assist in evacuations.