President's Reaffirmation

Reaffirmation of Commitment to Diversity/Equal Opportunity/Title IX/Affirmative Action

The State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University (Downstate) has a longstanding commitment to diversity and equal opportunity in all aspects of its employment practices. I fully support the policies and practices that we have implemented to foster non-discrimination, affirmative action, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. Downstate is certainly enriched by the strengths of its diverse population and the multitude of perspectives represented here. Accordingly, I am committed to ensuring our compliance with applicable state, federal, and SUNY System policies and procedures on Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Non-Discrimination, and Sexual Misconduct.

Downstate’s Non-Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct policies set forth the institution’s commitment to recruit, employ, retain, promote, and provide benefits to employees regardless of race, color, creed, national-origin, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, partnership status, disability, genetic information, military, status as a victim of domestic violence/stalking/sex offenses, or any other legally protected basis in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. Additionally, as a federal contractor, Downstate engages in affirmative action consistent with federal requirements. I invite you to visit our website, to view the Non-Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct policies in its entirety, including complaint procedures and prohibition against retaliation.

I have assigned the responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of Downstate’s Diversity, Title IX, Affirmative Action, and Equal Employment Opportunity programs to Bolaji Olasokan, Esq., Title IX Director/Deputy EEO Officer, and Keisha Lightbourne, Esq., Interim Chief Diversity Officer in the Office for Institutional Equity (OIE). Vice presidents, deans, directors, managers, and supervisors also share in the responsibility of compliance with these policies and laws. OIE is located in the Basic Sciences Building, Suite 5-95, and can be reached via phone at (718) 270-1738. You may also email OIE at AskODI@Downstate.edu.

If you believe you have experienced discrimination, please immediately contact OIE. Employees with disabilities should also know their rights with regard to reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Accommodation Act. For employees, the primary contact is Human Resources Reasonable Accommodation Officer Nicole Sharpe who may be reached at (718) 270-3025.