Diversity Profile

Colgate University is a highly selective residential liberal arts institution distinguished by academic excellence and interdisciplinary inquiry. Located on a beautiful campus in upstate New York, Colgate takes pride in the active engagement of its students, staff, and faculty in local, national, and global communities. At Colgate, we feel that a diverse and inclusive community is a cornerstone of educational excellence.

The Office of Equity and Diversity at Colgate is charged with fostering a diverse and collaborative community by increasing understanding, respect and inclusion. It is the mission of the office to support campus diversity initiatives with the goal of increasing understanding, respect and inclusion, and to ensure compliance with policies relating to affirmative action, discrimination, and harassment.  The university’s strong commitment to equal opportunity and inclusivity is clearly articulated in the diversity mission statement found here.  The university strives to provide an environment where everyone in our community can learn about, appreciate, and celebrate our diverse cultures and gain understanding, knowledge and skills to be engaged citizens locally as well as globally.

Colgate University fully subscribes to all federal and state civil rights laws banning discrimination in private institutions of higher education. Colgate will not discriminate against any student, employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran or military status (including special disabled veteran, Vietnam-era veteran, or recently separated veteran), predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other protected category under applicable local, state or federal law, including protections for those opposing discrimination or participating in any complaint process at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or other human rights agencies. This nondiscrimination policy covers both employment and access to educational opportunities.  It is the policy of the university to provide equal opportunity in employment and not to discriminate against any individuals with disabilities who are qualified for employment in the positions for which they apply. Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Colgate is committed to the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the educational enterprise, and to a learning and living environment where all members of the community feel safe and respected. Our comprehensive policy on equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, sexual harassment, and other forms of harassment and our equity grievance process ensure that any concerns brought forward by staff, faculty or students are handled promptly and equitably. Our policies and procedures aim to promote a Colgate community where all members can study, live, and work together in a community characterized by mutual respect.

Colgate is also invested in its employees’ success and values its community at all levels. Excellent benefits, wellness initiatives, and incentive programs that reward new ideas, a strong work ethic and high standards are just a few standout opportunities offered by the institution.

Colgate seeks to respond to the needs of spousal and partner employment to the extent it is able by providing informal assistance to spouses and partners who seek employment. This is the case for both current employees and prospective candidates. The Office of Equity and Diversity coordinates these employment support efforts, working with individuals to facilitate identification of employment opportunities in the area. The university is also a member of the Upstate New York HERC (Higher Education Recruitment Consortium). Developed in 2006, the Upstate New York HERC is a collaborative response of member institutions to the many challenges of academic recruitment and retention. Of particular interest to the Upstate New York HERC is finding effective ways to assist the spouses and partners of faculty and staff to secure area employment.