Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Cindy Porter is a champion of diversity and inclusion at Manhattanville College. As the VP of Diversity, Equity, and Community Building, she leads our efforts to create a welcoming and equitable campus community for all students, faculty, and staff.

Manhattanville College is committed to maintaining and nurturing a community of inclusivity where every member is valued.  Dating back to 1938 when former College President, Mother Grace Dammann, affirmed the right of the first African-American student to be admitted to this institution, Manhattanville College has stood for a commitment to the inclusion and celebration of the diverse backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and perspectives of our community members.

Our community is committed to maintaining an inclusive campus climate, yet we recognize that incidents of bias and hate have occurred to and are committed by our community members. When this happens, we want our students, staff, and faculty to fully understand their options for support and to be aware of established procedures for reporting and responding to such behaviors.

Bias incidents can be very upsetting to not only the targeted person but also to the whole community. At Manhattanville, the Bias Education Response Team (BERT) is made up of team members who are trained on issues related to bias response. The team also serves as a clearinghouse for reported incidents of bias.  

In addition to the members of BERT, there are many offices on campus that can help by providing support.

The free expression of ideas, even those that may be unpopular or controversial, is an essential part of a vibrant, diverse community. Problems arise, however, when members of a community act on biases that are based on fear, misunderstanding, or dislike of a certain group of people. The College’s policy on Non-discrimination and Harassment provides guidance and reporting information for those who believe they have experienced discrimination and/or harassment as employees, applicants for employment, volunteers, students, or applicants for admission on the basis of their perceived age, race, creed, color, religion, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, military status, sex, gender, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, criminal conviction, marital status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, gender identity, or transgender identity.

Behavior reflecting negative bias that is directed against or that targets an individual or group based on the perceived or actual characteristics listed above, but which does not meet the Federal and State statutes covered by the College’s Policy on Non-Discrimination and Harassment, can still cause harm to individuals and the community. Such harmful behaviors run counter to the mission and values of Manhattanville College. These bias behaviors can include oral, written or visual use of degrading language or stereotypes, insults which, intentionally or not, communicate hostile or derogatory messages to persons based solely on their perceived identity.