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Nondiscrimination

Annual Public Notice – English

In accordance with USDE Guidelines IV-O, Title VI: 34 C.F.R. § 100.6 (d) this notice shall serve to advise students, parents, employees and the general public that all educational programs and activities provided by Ocean County College shall be offered to all students regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, veteran’s status, religion, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, disability or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.

Ocean County College offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs. The degrees offered include Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate in Applied Science. During the academic year, Ocean County College shall offer the following educational programs as described in the College catalog and make them available for viewing online in the College catalog.   In addition, the College offers courses that will lead to degrees or certificates in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs; professional certification programs; individual professional development and personal enrichment courses; and enrichment courses for children and teens. Our CTE courses include, but are not limited to the following subject areas:

  • Addictions Counseling
  • American Sign-Language Interpreting
  • Business
  • Computer Science
  • Engineering Technology
  • Graphic Design & Broadcast
  • Industrial Hygiene & Hazardous Materials
  • Nursing
  • Social Work
  • And others.

The College will take steps to ensure that the lack of English–language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in CTE programs.  The College is an open access institution. Ocean County College Students can register for classes up to and including the last day of the add/drop period in accordance with established registration calendars. Prospective students can apply for admissions online or on paper. SAT exams are not required for admission into academic programs. Placement testing is not required for degree-seeking students.

The following individuals are designated to coordinate compliance and handle complaints under Title IX and Section 504/ADA.

  • Eileen Buckle, Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator
    (732) 255-0400 extension 2944
    ebuckle@bjzhtst.com 
    College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
  • James Calamia, Asst. Vice President of Facilities and Title II Coordinator
    (732) 255-0400 extension 2066
    jcalamia@bjzhtst.com

Title IX complaints may be made in person, by phone, by email or postal mail to the Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator. Title IX complaints may also be submitted online through our Harassment, Discrimination (Including Sexual Misconduct), ADA/504, and Retaliation Complaint Form.

ADA/504 complaints must be in writing, containing the name and address of the person filing it. The complaint must state the problem or action alleged to be discriminatory and the remedy or relief sought. A complaint may be filed by email, postal mail or or by using the College’s Harassment, Discrimination (Including Sexual Misconduct), ADA/504, and Retaliation Online Complaint Form.

Please review the ADA/504 Grievance Report and Procedure for details on filing ADA/504 related complaints.

For a complete review of the College’s Nondiscrimination Policy, visit: policy 2410. For a complete review of the College’s Title IX information, visit our Title IX page.

Aviso Público Anual – Español

De acuerdo con las Directrices IV-O del USDE, Título VI: 34 C.F.R. § 100.6 (d) este aviso servirá para informar a los estudiantes, padres, empleados y al público en general que todos los programas y actividades educativos proporcionados por Ocean County College se ofrecerán a todos los estudiantes independientemente de su raza, credo, color, origen nacional, ascendencia, edad, sexo, estado civil, condición de veterano, religión, orientación afectiva o sexual, identificación y expresión de género, rasgo celular o sanguíneo hereditario atípico, información genética, discapacidad o cualquier otra característica protegida por las leyes federales, estatales y locales aplicables.

Ocean County College ofrece más de 80 programas de grado y certificado. Los títulos ofrecidos incluyen Asociado en Artes, Asociado en Ciencias y Asociado en Ciencias Aplicadas. Durante el año académico, Ocean County College ofrecerá los siguientes programas educativos como se describe en el catálogo de la universidad y los pondrá a disposición para verlos en línea en el catálogo de la universidad. Además, el Colegio ofrece cursos que conducirán a títulos o certificados en programas de Educación Técnica y Profesional (CTE); programas de certificación profesional; cursos individuales de desarrollo profesional y enriquecimiento personal; y cursos de enriquecimiento para niños y adolescentes. Nuestros cursos de CTE incluyen, entre otros, las siguientes áreas temáticas:

  • Consejería en Adicciones
  • Interpretación del lenguaje de señas americano
  • Negocio
  • Ciencias de la Computación
  • Tecnología de ingeniería
  • Diseño Gráfico y Difusión
  • Higiene industrial y materiales peligrosos
  • Enfermería
  • Trabajo Social
  • Y otros.

El Colegio tomará medidas para garantizar que la falta de dominio del idioma inglés no sea una barrera para la admisión y participación en los programas CTE. El Colegio es una institución de acceso abierto. Los estudiantes de Ocean County College pueden inscribirse en clases hasta el último día del período de incorporación/retiro inclusive, de acuerdo con los calendarios de inscripción establecidos. Los futuros estudiantes pueden solicitar admisiones en línea o en papel. Los exámenes SAT no son necesarios para la admisión a los programas académicos. Las pruebas de ubicación no son necesarias para los estudiantes que buscan un título.

Las siguientes personas están designadas para coordinar el cumplimiento y manejar las quejas bajo el Título IX y la Sección 504/ADA.

  • Eileen Buckle, Coordinadora del Título IX y ADA / 504
    (732) 255-0400 extensión 2944
    ebuckle@bjzhtst.com
    College Drive, Toms River, Nueva Jersey 08754
  • James Calamia, Vicepresidenta Adjunta de Instalaciones y Coordinadoro del Título II
    (732) 255-0400 extensión 2066
    jcalamia@bjzhtst.com

Las quejas del Título IX se pueden hacer en persona, por correo electrónico o correo postal al Coordinador del Título IX y ADA/504. Las quejas del Título IX también se pueden presentar en línea a través de nuestro sistema de administración de casos Maxient utilizando nuestro Formulario de quejas en línea de acoso, discriminación (incluida la conducta sexual inapropiada), ADA/504 y represalias.

Las quejas ADA/504 deben presentarse por escrito, con el nombre y la dirección de la persona que las presenta. La queja debe indicar el problema o la acción que se alega que es discriminatoria y el remedio o reparación que se busca. Se puede presentar una queja por correo electrónico, correo postal o mediante el formulario de queja en línea sobre acoso, discriminación (incluida la conducta sexual inapropiada), ADA/504 y represalias de la universidad.

Consulte el Informe y Procedimiento de Quejas ADA/504 para obtener detalles sobre la presentación de quejas relacionadas con ADA/504.

Para una revisión completa de la Política de No Discriminación de la Universidad, visite: política 2410. Para una revisión completa de la información del Título IX de la Universidad, visite nuestra página de Título IX.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Harassment, Policy #2410

POLICY

 Ocean County College is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities, that are free from discrimination based on protected characteristics, harassment, and retaliation for engaging in protected activity.

The College values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of the Parties in the resolution process during what is often a difficult time for all involved.

To ensure compliance with federal and state civil rights laws and regulations, and to affirm its commitment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the education program or activity, Ocean County College has developed policies and procedures that provide for prompt, fair, and impartial resolution of allegations of protected characteristic discrimination, harassment or allegations of retaliation.

Notice of Nondiscrimination

 Ocean County College adheres to all federal and state civil rights laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination in public institutions of higher education.

Ocean County College does not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant for admission on the basis of actual or perceived: race, religion, hearing status, personal appearance, color, sex, pregnancy or related conditions, political belief or affiliation, source of income, place of business, residence, ethnicity, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, physical or mental disability (including perceived disability), age, marital status, family responsibilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including family medical history), veteran or military status (including disabled veteran, recently separated veteran, active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran, and Armed Forces Service Medal veteran), domestic violence victim status, height, weight or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law, including protections for those opposing discrimination or participating in any grievance process within the institution, with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or other human/civil rights agencies.

This policy covers nondiscrimination in both employment and access to educational opportunities. Therefore, any member of the Ocean County College community whose acts deny, deprive, unreasonably interfere with or limit the educational, employment or social access, benefits, and/or opportunities of any member of the Ocean County College community, guest, or visitor on the basis of that person’s actual or perceived protected characteristic(s) is in violation of the Ocean County College policy on nondiscrimination.

Ocean County College is committed to maintaining compliance with the following laws:

  • New Jersey Law Against Discrimination – N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq.
  • New Jersey State Wage and Hour Law – N.J.S.A 34:11-56a et seq. Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 – 29 U.S.C. 621-634 Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 – 42 U.S.C 12101 et seq.
  • Civil Rights Act of 1966 – 42 U.S.C 1981
  • Title VI Civil Rights Act of 1964 – 42 U.S.C. 2000d Title VI Civil Rights Act of 1964 – 42 U.S.C. 2000e
  • Civil Rights Act of 1991 – 29 U.S.C. 621 et seq. – 42 U.S.C. 1981, 1989, 2000e, 12101 et seq. Equal Pay Act of 1963 – 29 U.S.C. 206 (d)
  • Executive Order 11246 – 30 Fed. Reg. 12319
  • Fair Labor Standards Act of 1968 – 29 U.S.C 201-219
  • Title IX Higher Education Act of 1965 (as amended by the Education Amendments of 1972, Title IX), 20 U.S.C. 1681-1686
  • Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 29 U.S.C 651-678
  • Rehabilitation Act of 1973 – 29 U.S.C. 701-796i, 793-794, Section 503, and Section 504.
  • Revenue Sharing act of 1972 – 31 U.S.C. 6716-6722
  • Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Act of 1974 – 38 U.S.C. 2011-2012

The College is also committed to maintaining compliance with any modification of existing antidiscrimination laws or new anti-discrimination laws which apply to Ocean County College.

Treatment of Complaints

 Ocean County College will promptly and effectively address any such discrimination of which it has Knowledge/Notice using the appropriate resolution process(es) associated with this policy and/or others referenced in the procedure including the Progressive Discipline policy (Policy #3006), the Formal Student Complaint policy (Policy #5230), and/or the Student Discipline policy (Policy #5247).

Retaliation

 It is prohibited for Ocean County College or any member of Ocean County College’s community (in collusion with or on a party’s behalf) to take materially adverse action by intimidating, threatening, coercing, harassing, or discriminating against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by law or policy, or because the individual has made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under the policy. In accordance with Federal Title IX law, the College can and may require staff and faculty to participate in any Title IX investigation in which they are named a complainant, respondent, or witness.

Protected activity under this policy includes reporting an incident that may implicate this policy, participating in the complaint process, supporting a Complainant or Respondent, assisting in providing information relevant to an investigation, and/or acting in good faith to oppose conduct that constitutes a violation of this policy.

Adopted: December 9, 1991
Revised: June 23, 2003
Revised: April 28, 2022
Revised: November 3, 2022
Revised: June 27, 2024

PROCEDURE

The Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator has been designated as the Ocean County College administrator responsible for overseeing efforts to comply with discrimination laws based on sex, pregnancy or related conditions, physical or mental disability (including perceived disability), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, domestic violence victim status including responding to complaints and coordinating and/or conducting investigations of any allegation of noncompliance of these laws.

Complaints related to sex/gender-based harassment or discrimination will be addressed using the procedures identified in the Title IX Complaint Report and Response Procedure Manual (for incidents occurring on or after August 1, 2024) or The Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Harassment Grievance Procedure manual (for incidents occurring August 14, 2020 through July 31, 2024. A copy of the governing manual may be obtained from the office of the Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator or may be viewed online.

Complaints alleging discriminatory treatment based on disability status and/or in the accommodations process will be addressed using the procedures identified in the ADA/504 Complaint Report and Response Procedure. A copy of this procedure may be obtained from the office of the Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator or may be viewed online at http://qbxv.bjzhtst.com/admission_and_aid/nondiscrimination/.

Ocean County College encourages faculty, staff, and students who have questions about Title IX or ADA/504 compliance or who want to report an incident of discrimination including sex/gender-based harassment/discrimination and or disability status to contact the Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator via one of the following methods:

Ocean County College
Office of Human Resources, Attn: Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator PO Box 2001
Toms River, NJ 08754

The Assistant Vice President of Facilities has been designated as the administrator responsible for overseeing efforts to comply with Title II of the ADA relating to grounds and facilities.

Questions or concerns regarding accessibility of grounds or facilities may be submitted to the AVP as follows:

  • In person by appointment (call or e-mail to request an appointment)

Ocean County College Attn: AVP, Facilities PO Box 2001

Toms River, NJ 08754

The College’s procedures for responding to all other forms of discrimination and harassment vary depending on whether the respondent is a student, faculty member, or staff member.

  • Review of complaints against students will be guided by the Ocean County College Code of Student Conduct (Policy #5247)
  • Complaints made by students against employees will be addressed through the Formal

Student Complaint policy (Policy #5230) its associated procedures, and/or other policies governing employee discipline when warranted.

  • Complaints made by employees against other faculty or staff will be addressed as follows:
    • For employees covered by a bargaining agreement, the contractual process governing disciplinary action will be utilized (Policy #3006).
    • For employees not covered by a bargaining agreement, the process in the applicable employee handbook will be utilized (Policy #3006).

ADOPTED: December 17, 1991
Revised: April 30, 1996
Revised: April 25, 2000
Revised: November 21, 2000
Revised: June 24, 2003
Revised: February 14, 2007
Revised: April 28, 2022
Revised: June 27, 2024

ADA/504 Grievance Reporting Procedure

It is the policy of Ocean County College (the College) not to discriminate on the basis of disability. The College has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794).

  • The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public.  The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.
  • Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

The Law and Regulations may be examined in the office of Eileen Buckle, Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator, who has been designated to coordinate the efforts of Ocean County College to comply with the ADA and Section 504.

Contact information for the ADA/504 Coordinator is as follows:
Office Location:  Administration Building (#1), Suite 112
Phone: (732) 255-0400 ext. 2944
Email:  ebuckle@bjzhtst.com

 Procedure

Any person who believes they have been subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability may file a grievance under this procedure. It is against the law for Ocean County College to retaliate against anyone who files a grievance or cooperates in the investigation of a grievance.

  • Grievances will be submitted to the ADA/504 Coordinator. A complaint must be in writing, containing the name and address of the person filing it. The complaint must state the problem or action alleged to be discriminatory and the remedy or relief sought.  A complaint may be filed using the College’s Harassment, Discrimination (Including Sexual Misconduct), ADA/504, and Retaliation Online Complaint Form
  • The ADA/504 Coordinator shall conduct an investigation of the complaint. This investigation may be informal, but it must be thorough, affording all interested persons an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the complaint. Complaints can take 30 business days to resolve. There are always exceptions and extenuating circumstances that can cause a resolution to take longer, but the College will avoid all undue delays within its control.
  • Any time the general timeframes for resolution outlined in Ocean County College procedures will be delayed, the College will provide written notice to the parties of the delay, the cause of the delay, and an estimate of the anticipated additional time that will be needed as a result of the delay.
  • The ADA/504 Coordinator will maintain the files and records of Ocean County College relating to such grievances.  The files and all evidence will be maintained electronically within Maxient, the College’s case management system and such files and all evidence will be maintained for at least seven (7) years in accordance with ADA/504 requirements.
  • The ADA/504 Coordinator will issue a written decision on the grievance no later than 3 college business days after they complete their investigation.
  • Persons filing the grievance may appeal the decision of the ADA/504 Coordinator by submitting a written appeal as follows:
    • If the complainant is a student:
      • to the office of the Vice President of Student Affairs (VPSA) within 7 college business days of receiving the ADA/504 Coordinator’s decision.
      • The Vice President of Student Affairs shall issue a written decision in response to the appeal no later than 15 college business days after its filing.  Responses are delivered via the student’s Ocean County College email address.
      • The complaint process ends with the response to the appeal from the VPSA; no other opportunity for pursuing the complaint within 365球赛平台 is available.
    • If the complainant is staff or faculty:
      • To the office of the Associate Vice President of Human Resources (AVPHR) within 7 college business days of receiving the ADA/504 Coordinator’s decision.
      • The Associate Vice President of Human Resources shall issue a written decision in response to the appeal no later than 15 college business days after its filing.
      • The complaint process ends with the response to the appeal from the AVPHR; no other opportunity for pursuing the complaint is available.
  • A person may file a complaint of discrimination on the basis of disability with the U.S. Office for Civil Rights separate from this process.

Contact Information for Appeals

  • Student Appeals
    Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs
    Ocean County College
    PO Box 2001
    Toms River, NJ 08754
    E-mail:  dlee-vasquez@bjzhtst.com
  • Faculty/Staff Appeals
    Office of the Associate Vice President of Human Resources
    Ocean County College
    PO Box 2001
    Toms River, NJ 08754
    E-mail: djacoby@bjzhtst.com

Contact Information for the Office of Civil Rights

Office for Civil Rights
New York Office
U.S. Department of Education
32 Old Slip, 26th Floor
New York, NY 10005-2500
Telephone:  (646) 428-3800
Facsimile:  (646) 428-3843
Email:  OCR.NewYork@ed.gov 

  • You may file a complaint with NJ Division on Civil Rights by using the electronic complaint form at the following website: http://bias.njcivilrights.gov/en-US/
  • You may mail or send by facsimile information to the following address or phone number:

New Jersey Division on Civil Rights
31 Clinton Street
Newark, New Jersey 07102-5233
Phone: 1-833-653-2748
Fax: 973-648-4405
Email:  NJDCR4U@njcivilrights.gov
Website: http://www.state.nj.us/lps/dcr/

Ocean County College will make appropriate arrangements to ensure that disabled persons are provided other accommodations, if needed, to participate in this grievance process. Such arrangements may include, but are not limited to, providing interpreters for the deaf, providing recordings of material for the blind, or assuring a barrier-free location for the proceedings. The ADA/504 Coordinator will be responsible for such arrangements.

Ocean County College arch entering the Citta Garden on the Campus Mall

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