Title IX

Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex and gender, which includes sexual harassment and sexual violence. This law requires Columbia-Greene Community College to establish a robust campus response to combat sexual violence and harassment and respond to survivors’ needs in order to ensure that all students have equal access to education. Information about Sexual Violence Prevention / Response and the Sexual Violence Prevention Report may be found on the website under “Student Life”. Address questions and concerns to the Title IX Coordinator, Melissa Fandozzi, at 518.697.6337.

Title IX Coordinator

• The Title IX Coordinator will make sure you understand all your rights and options for moving forward, as well as all of the resources available to you.
• The Title IX Coordinator will work closely with Public Safety, the Dean for Student Affairs, and the Director of Human Resources in the filing and adjudication of complaints through our campus processes.

On- and Off-Campus Authorities

• Anyone wishing to file a criminal complaint can contact Campus Public Safety, local or state police, and/or the Campus Sexual Assault Victims Unit.
• The Title IX Coordinator can help connect you to any of these resources.

Confidential and Private Resources

• Your privacy will be respected and protected to the greatest extent practicable at all times, though strict confidentiality can only be guaranteed by licensed health professionals, off-campus victim advocates (such as employees at a Rape Crisis Center), and clergy.
• CGCC Reach Center offers both private and confidential counseling services at no cost to students.
• You can also access outside confidential support services, including hotlines and victim advocacy organizations.

The Title IX Coordinator, in conjunction with The Office of Student Development will provide training and educational programming throughout the year and as requested. Information and resources are always available from the Title IX Coordinator

Columbia-Greene Community College, a community college of the State University of New York, does not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, intern, whether paid or unpaid, contractor, student, or applicant for admission or other members of the college community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) based on an individual’s race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identification, gender expression, sexual orientation, self-identified or perceived sex, the status of being transgender, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, veteran status, domestic violence victim state, criminal conviction or any other category protected by law. The college adheres to all federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination and sexual harassment in public institutions of higher education.

The college prohibits conduct by any employee or any student who disrupts or interferes with another’s work performance or education experience, or who creates an intimidating, offensive, or hostile work or educational environment due to discrimination based on protected status or sexual harassment. Columbia-Greene Community College is committed to educating employees in the recognition and prevention of workplace and education discrimination and sexual harassment and to informing students, employees, and others, how to report a discrimination complaint.

Inquiries about and reports regarding this notice and procedure may be made to:

Drew Ledoux
Dean of Student Development
andrew.ledoux@sunycgcc.edu
Phone: 518.697.6320

Melissa Fandozzi
Director of Human Resources/Title IX Coordinator
melissa.fandozzi@sunycgcc.edu
Phone: 518.697.6337

Inquiries may also be directed to the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, 32 Old Slip 26th Floor, New York, NY 10005-2500, ocr.newyork@ed.gov, 646.428.3800.

If you have observed or experienced any kind of sex discrimination (including sexual harassment or sexual violence), please contact Title IX Coordinator, Melissa Fandozzi or Dean of Student Development, Drew Ledoux. They can explain your options for reporting and connect you to the right services and resources, as well as help you access on-campus accommodations. These options for support are all available to you whether or not you choose to engage in the Campus Conduct Process or report to law enforcement. 

Drew Ledoux
Dean of Student Development
andrew.ledoux@sunycgcc.edu
Phone: 518.697.6320

Melissa Fandozzi
Director of Human Resources/Title IX Coordinator
melissa.fandozzi@sunycgcc.edu
Phone: 518.697.6337

To report an incident or for more information on incident reporting and grievances please use the links below.

Columbia-Greene Community College supports pregnant students, faculty, and staff members so they can achieve academic and workplace success while pregnant, recovering from childbirth or pregnancy-related ailments, caring for a newborn, and/or breastfeeding.

Students and employees who are or were pregnant, or are dealing with infertility, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, prenatal appointments, high risk pregnancy or miscarriage, or are recovering from any of these events may request a pregnancy-related accommodation.

A reasonable accommodation is a change to the learning and/or working environment that enables an individual to apply for a job, perform a job’s essential functions, attend and be successful in class, and/or enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment and/or education.

Contact the Title IX Coordinator at 518.697.6337 or at melissa.fandozzi@sunycgcc.edu to request pregnancy related reasonable accommodation.

Common Pregnancy-Related Accommodations

Accommodations are based on the individual’s personal situation. Possible options may include but are not limited to:

• Academic support
• Extended deadlines
• Flexible exam schedule
• Excused absences
• Grades of incomplete
• Temporary parking in a closer location
• Job modifications, including reassignment to others of non-essential duties
• Modification of workplace policies, including attendance policies
• Access to on-campus lactation rooms
• Purchasing or modifying equipment and devices (chairs, desks, floor mats, etc.)
• Modified work schedule
• Leave of absence (which may be unpaid)
• Temporary assignment to a light duty position

Frequent breaks Lactation Room Columbia-Greene Community College encourages students, faculty, and staff to engage in breast feeding or pumping in any location where they feel comfortable.

If privacy is sought, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 518.697.6330 or the Office of Health Services at 518.697.6303.

Human Resources/Title IX_December 2023

Below is CGCC stance on Grievance Policy for Addressing Formal Complaints of Sexual Harassment Under the Title IX Regulations