Pratt is committed to fostering a welcoming, safe, nondiscriminatory, and harassment-free educational, living, and working environment for its community.
The Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX is committed to facilitating an equitable response and resolution to all reported incidents of discrimination and harassment based on protected categories, and sexual misconduct (including dating/domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking).
Our staff members maintain the highest of ethical standards by conducting prompt and thorough follow-up for all allegations and ensuring privacy throughout our process. We educate the campus community by providing training and programming on policy awareness, reporting, and prevention.
Pratt Institute does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination against any individual based on any category protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.
Protected Categories include, but are not limited to:
Age
Ancestry
Caregiver status
Citizenship
Color
Creed
Disability (physical or mental)
Domestic violence victim status
Gender, gender identity or expression
Genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics
Marital status or familial status
Military status, including past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services
National origin
Race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles)
Religion
Sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions)
Sex stereotypes
Sex characteristics
Sexual orientation
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, is a federal law that protects all students from discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance from the United States Education Department. Title VI’s protection from race, color, or national origin discrimination extends to students who experience discrimination, including harassment, based on their actual or perceived: (i) shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics; or (ii) citizenship or residency in a country with a dominant religion or distinct religious identity.
Title IX is a federal law prohibiting sex discrimination, including sexual orientation and gender identity, in in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance from the United States Education Department. Title IX also prohibits sex-based harassment (quid pro quo harassment and hostile environment harassment), sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, stalking, discrimination based on the status of pregnancy or related conditions and parenting, and retaliation.
Assistant Director for Community Standards and Outreach
Pratt’s Title IX Coordinator is: Michael Arno: Director of Institutional Equity and Title IX 718-687-5171Marno58@pratt.edu
The Title IX Coordinator ensures Pratt’s compliance with Title IX and the administration of the Title IX, Nondiscrimination, and Anti-Harassment Policy.
The Title IX Coordinator leads Pratt’s response to inequity, harassment, and sexual misconduct concerns. This includes response to sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking.
The Title IX Coordinator is a neutral party that manages the administration of Pratt’s Title IX and nondiscrimination resolution processes. Resolution processes are designed to eliminate, prevent, and redress known instances of inequity, harassment, and sexual misconduct in fair and unbiased matter in accordance with state and federal laws.
The Title IX Coordinator coordinates support for individuals impacted by inequity, harassment and sexual misconduct.
The Title IX Coordinator manages prevention and training.
Report a Violation
Reports can be made by completing one of the following forms:
All Pratt employees, with the exception of certain confidential resources, are required to report any disclosures of discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator. To REPORT CONFIDENTIALLY, please contact a confidential resource listed below.
Typically, the following steps are taken after a report is filed:
The Title IX Coordinator will ensure that the report is filed with the correct process.
The Title IX Coordinator will reach out to the Complainant (impacted party) to offer supportive measures and provide information about their respective rights. The Complainant is not required to respond to the Title IX Coordinator.
The Title IX Coordinator will determine whether additional supportive measures need to be put in place in order to support both the Complainant and Respondent (alleged offender) and ensure community safety.
If applicable, the Title IX Coordinator will notify the Respondent of the complaint. The Respondent will be informed of their respective rights and offered supportive measures.
The Title IX Coordinator will initiate an investigation, if appropriate.
The Complainant is never required to participate in the resolution process.
The Respondent is considered “not responsible” for violating the Institute’s policy, unless and until by the preponderance of the evidence proves that a violation of policy has occurred.
Sexual Misconduct, Discrimination, and Harassment Bill of Rights
All Pratt community members have the right to:
Make a report (or decline to report) to local law enforcement and/or state police;
Have disclosures of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking and all other forms of Prohibited Conduct treated seriously;
Make a decision about whether or not to disclose a crime or violation and participate in the complaint resolution process and/or criminal justice process free from pressure by the institution;
Participate in a process that is fair, impartial, and provides adequate notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard;
Be treated with dignity and to receive from the Institute courteous, fair, and respectful health care and counseling services, where available;
Be free from any suggestion that the Complainant is at fault when these crimes and violations are committed, or should have acted in a different manner to avoid such crimes or violations;
Describe the incident to as few representatives of the Institute as practicable and not be required to unnecessarily repeat a description of the incident;
Be protected from retaliation by the Institute, any student, the Respondent, and/or their friends, family and acquaintances within the jurisdiction of the Institute;
Access to at least one level of appeal of a determination;
Be accompanied by an Advisor of choice who may assist and advice a Complainant or a Respondent during any meetings and hearings under the policy and procedures; and
Exercise civil rights and practice of religion without interference by the investigative, criminal justice, or complaint resolution process of the Institute.
Anyone who experiences discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct while abroad must deal with the stress of this unwanted event in a place and culture that is unfamiliar. Being away from the support and comfort of home can exacerbate feelings of hurt, confusion, anger, and loss of control.
U.S. Embassies and/or Pratt staff traveling with you can tell you about local police, legal procedures, and resources available to assist you in the country you are visiting. Remember, cultural and social attitudes towards discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct may vary greatly in different countries. If you decide to report the incident to the police, consider asking someone to go with you—many survivors find it helps not to be alone. A survivor/victim has the choice to report or not report the incident. If you are seeking legal action abroad, most countries require that you report the crime before leaving the country if you want it to be investigated.
Resources marked * can provide information about immediate local medical attention and obtaining a SANE exam. SANE exams are a means for evidence collection.
Law Enforcement
New York Police Department (NYPD)
Brooklyn Campus: Precinct #88: 718-636-6511 or 911
Manhattan Campus: Precinct #6: 212-741-4811 or 911
New York State Police Campus Sexual Assault Victims Unit: 844-845-7269
An individual that has been impacted by or accused of a violation of the Title IX, Nondiscrimination, and Anti-Harassment Policy can request supportive measures. Supportive measures are non-disciplinary and non-punitive individualized services provided by Pratt, free of charge, to individuals to restore or preserve equal access to Pratt’s education program or activity without unreasonably burdening the other party.
Supportive measures can be provided at the time of a report; before, during, or after a resolution process is initiated; or where a report is made but no formal resolution process is initiated. A formal report or an individual’s participation in a grievance resolution process is not required to obtain supportive measures.
Supportive measures are confidential (except as necessary to provide such supportive measures) and can range from a referral to supportive services to academic or workplace accommodations. Examples of supportive measures include, but are not limited to:
Referral to counseling, medical, and/or other healthcare services
Referral to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or community-based service providers
Student financial aid counseling
Education to the institutional community or community subgroup(s)
Altering campus housing assignment(s)
Altering work arrangements for employees or student-employees
Providing Campus Safety escorts
Providing transportation accommodations
Implementing contact limitations (no-contact orders) between the parties
Academic support, extensions of deadlines, or other course/program-related adjustments
Class schedule modifications, withdrawals, or leaves of absence
Please contact the Office of Institutional Equity or the Title IX Coordinator to request supportive measures.
Pratt will provide certain supports and modifications to applicants, students, and employees experiencing pregnancy or related conditions, or who are parenting, in order to ensure equal access to the Institute. These may include academic or employment modifications, access to lactation spaces, or requesting leaves of absences.
Students and student applicants needing accommodations or modifications may make requests directly to the Learning/Access Center (LAC).
Employees and employment applicants needing accommodations or modifications may make requests directly to the Office of Human Resources.
What is a Pregnancy Related Condition?
Pregnancy or related conditions include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation; medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation; and recovery from pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, or related medical conditions.
Reporting Discrimination and Harassment
If you or someone at Pratt is experiencing discrimination or harassment because of a pregnancy/related condition status or parenting status, you are encouraged to report the concern to the Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX. Our office can provide support and resources for anyone impacted by discrimination or harassment.
Title IX Volunteers are selected Pratt faculty and staff members. Title IX Volunteers assist in the response and prevention of sexual misconduct, discrimination, and harassment on our campus. Volunteers fulfill a fundamental role by helping to resolve respective complaints of the Title IX, Nondiscrimination, and Anti-Harassment Policy.
Volunteers and Institutional Equity and Title IX staff receive robust annual training and are cross trained to work in multiple roles in the resolution process. All volunteers and Title IX personnel training materials can be found within the Title IX Staff Training section below.
The Institutional Equity and Title IX Office seeks to have a diverse team of faculty and staff to aid in the resolution of Title IX and nondiscrimination matters. Volunteer roles are open to faculty and professional staff members.
Pratt Institute’s Title IX staff includes the Institutional Equity and Title IX office, Title IX Volunteers, Investigators, Adjudicators, and others who facilitate any informal resolution. Title IX staff receive robust training and are cross trained to work in multiple roles in the resolution process. Training topics include, but are not limited to definitions of Prohibited Conduct; the scope of Pratt Institute’s education program or activity; how to conduct an investigation and resolution process including hearings, appeals, and informal resolution processes (as applicable); how to evaluate evidence and determine relevance; and how to serve impartially, including by avoiding prejudgment of the facts at issue, conflicts of interest, and bias.
The former Title IX regulations, issued in August 2020, required Pratt Institute to publicly provide information on such training starting August 14, 2020. Current Title IX regulations no longer require Pratt Institute to publicly post materials, however Pratt believes it is important to continue to publish all training conducted by Title IX staff. A list of training sessions attended by Title IX staff beginning August 14, 2020 can be viewed below. Lists will be periodically updated and training materials will be kept for seven years.
Association of Title IX Administrators: “ATIXA”
Grand River Solutions: “GRS”
SUNY Student Conduct Institute: “SCI”
Date(s)
Title of Training/ Presentation
Presenter(s)
Format
Training Materials
Attendee
2020
SUNY Student Conduct Institute: Annual Compliance Training
Pratt is deeply committed to equal opportunity and a tolerant, supportive learning environment. In compliance with New York Education Law Section 129-B, Enough is Enough, Pratt conducts a Sexual Assault Campus Climate Survey every two years. Pratt is dedicated to communicating survey results with members of our campus, our greater community, and the public.
