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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

College Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Vision Statement

North Country Community College aspires to raise competence, critical consciousness, and civil discourse around issues of diversity, equity and inclusion as an integral part of our institutional mission, and to increase our culture of inclusion through a renewed commitment to collectively evolve our understanding within our campus and regional communities.

We believe it is our responsibility as an educational institution and as community leaders to actively address bias and injustices on a local and global scale, and to actively engage in conversations and activities that will build this competence among our students, faculty, staff, and community members.

We believe that in order to demonstrate our commitment to accept and value the whole individual that we must continually strive to adopt and practice more inclusive programs, services, and processes, to recognize and acknowledge our limited demographic diversity, and to actively seek more understanding of global diversity issues and social justice activism.

It is through academic infusion, intentional outside-the-classroom experiences, and forging alliances that we will actualize these values and goals.

College Non-Discrimination Statement

North Country Community College does not discriminate. We embrace and encourage the celebration of differences and affirm the rights of individuals guaranteed by state and federal laws and the U.S. Constitution. We reject all manifestations of discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, self-identified sex, gender identity or expression, status of being transgender, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, carrier status, military or U.S. veteran status, domestic violence victim status, prior criminal conviction, socioeconomic status, or any other differences among people which have been excuses for misunderstandings, divisiveness, or hatred. When such rights are infringed upon by violence, threats, or unlawful harassment, the College will follow due process and use every necessary resource to decisively identify perpetrators for administrative action, civil action, and/or criminal prosecution

For information regarding non-discrimination policies, please contact the College’s Civil Rights Compliance Officers below:

Ms. Cammy Sheridan
ADA/504 Coordinator
Hodson Hall 119
23 Santanoni Avenue
Saranac Lake, NY 12983
 
Ms. Tara Evans
Title VI Coordinator
Interim Title IX Coordinator
Hodson Hall 156
23 Santanoni Avenue
Saranac Lake, NY 12983
Bias-Related Harassment Policy

North Country Community College supports a community in which differences enrich the educational climate. We care about each and every single student that becomes a part of our community. North Country Community College promotes equality within our community by respecting one another and encouraging a community of tolerance.

As a community, we will not tolerate any bias related crimes involving any of our employees or students. North Country Community College will apprehend and prosecute persons responsible for bias related crimes committed against any member of our community. Aggravated harassment and assault are two examples of criminal acts which can be motivated by bias against individuals based on their race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, age, disability, religion or religious practice or sexual orientation. We encourage anyone who witnesses or is a victim of such crimes to come forward and seek justice. Acceptance, safety, peace and equality are what we stand for and you are asked to support this mission as well.

Read our bias-related harassment policy in full.

Chosen Name Policy

North Country recognizes that some students wish to use a name other than their legal or official name of record to identify themselves. As long as the use of this preferred name is not for the purposes of misrepresentation, to avoid legal obligation, or a use of a highly offensive or derogatory name, the College acknowledges that a “preferred name” can and should be used where possible in the course of college education, business, and communication. For non-U.S. citizens, the official name of record is the passport name. The College extends this accommodation in order to help foster a more welcoming, supportive and respectful campus climate for all of its students.

Please submit requests using our Name Change Request Form and view our Name Change Policy for more information.

Diversity Task Force

Members of the College Diversity Task Force include faculty, staff, and students who meet regularly to discuss strategies for engaging our campus community and local residents in expanding their cultural competence and critical consciousness. 

Our 2016, the College drafted a Diversity Plan which included the following focus areas: campus climate, academic infusion, student and employee recruitment and retention efforts, and community engagement. In 2021 the College embedded its strategic diversity goals into its Strategic Plan.

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Special Thanks: Our campus All-Gender Bathroom signs were made possible by a generous donation from SmartSign.com.