Title VI

Title VI is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. This includes admissions, academics, housing, athletics, and campus services.

Discrimination

Race, color, or national origin discrimination occurs when an individual is treated differently, excluded from participation, denied benefits, or otherwise subjected to adverse treatment in a University program or activity because of their race, color, national origin, or shared ancestry.

Discrimination may involve decisions affecting:

• Admissions or enrollment
• Employment
• Access to educational programs or services
• Housing, activities, or campus resources

Examples of Discrimination

• Refusing to provide a student equal access to academic opportunities because of their ethnicity or ancestry
• Denying a person employment, promotion, or participation in a program because of their race or national origin
• Applying policies differently to individuals because of their skin color or cultural background

Harassment

Harassment based on race, color, national origin, or shared ancestry is a form of discrimination. It includes unwelcome conduct, such as verbal, written, physical, or online behavior, that is based on a protected characteristic and is sufficiently serious that it:

• Creates a hostile environment, or
• Limits or interferes with a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from University programs or activities

Harassment can be carried out by students, employees, or third parties and may occur in person or through electronic communications.

Examples of Harassment

• Using racial slurs, insults, or derogatory comments related to someone’s ancestry or ethnicity
• Mocking a person’s accent, manner of dress, or cultural traditions in a way that is unwelcome and harmful
• Displaying racist symbols or imagery that contributes to an intimidating or hostile environment
• Targeting individuals who share Jewish, Arab, Sikh, or other ethnic identities with hostile comments tied to ancestry or ethnic characteristics
• Repeated offensive jokes or online posts about a person’s national origin that interfere with their ability to feel safe or participate fully in University life

Yes. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) interprets Title VI to protect students and employees from discrimination based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, which includes antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of national origin bias.

As of August 2025, New York State law requires all colleges and universities to:
• Appoint a Title VI Coordinator
• Provide annual training to students and employees
• Notify the campus community of nondiscrimination policies
• Maintain records of complaints and resolutions
• Ensure a robust process for investigating and resolving discrimination complaints
Yeshiva University complies with this law and has designated Dr. Chaim Nissel as our Title VI Coordinator.

Dr. Chaim Nissel YU’s Vice Provost for Student Affairs is also YU’s Title VI and Title IX Coordinator. He can be reached at drnissel@yu.edu and at 646-592-4201.

Dr. Nissel oversees all Title VI and Title IX compliance efforts, including investigations, training, and supportive measures.

You can report discrimination or harassment based on race, color, or national origin by contacting Dr. Nissel directly or submitting a report through the University’s online reporting portal. Reports may be submitted confidentially and will be addressed promptly.

The University takes reports of race, color, national origin, and shared ancestry discrimination seriously and will respond promptly and equitably in accordance with applicable law and University policy. Any person has the right to report discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, color or national origin discrimination, including shared ancestry, to Yeshiva's Title VI Coordinator. No formal complaint is required to receive supportive measures or to have options explained.

The University will initiate a prompt and impartial review. If the report involves a potential violation, an investigation may follow. Supportive measures—such as academic accommodations or housing adjustments—may be offered regardless of whether a formal investigation occurs.

What to Expect When You Report
1. Timely Acknowledgment and Support
  • Prompt Response: The Title VI Coordinator (or trained designee) will acknowledge receipt of your report promptly.
  • Supportive Measures: You will be offered supportive measures tailored to your situation, such as academic adjustments, housing changes, no-contact directives, emotional support or campus safety measures, regardless of whether you choose to pursue a formal complaint.
  • No Retaliation: Retaliation for reporting or participating in a process is strictly prohibited. 

2. Information About Your Rights and Options
  • You will receive written notice of:
    o The University’s nondiscrimination policy and definitions of prohibited conduct.
    o The procedures for resolving complaints under Title VI and University policy.
    o Your right to have an advisor of your choice present in any meeting.
    o Available confidential resources and external reporting options (e.g., NYS Division of Human Rights, U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights (OCR)).

3. Choice of Process
  • Informal Resolution: If appropriate and both parties voluntarily agree, the University may offer an informal resolution process facilitated by a trained, impartial individual.
  • Formal Investigation: If you choose, or if the matter warrants, the University will initiate a formal investigation consistent with federal and state law. 

4. Investigation and Resolution
  • Neutral Investigation: A trained investigator will gather evidence, interview parties and witnesses, and prepare a report.
  • Fair Process: Both parties will have equal opportunity to present information and respond to evidence.
  • Outcome: You will receive a written determination of the outcome and any remedies or sanctions, consistent with University policy. 

5. Annual Training and Policy Access
  • All students and employees will receive annual training on Title VI rights and responsibilities, as required by NYS law.
  • The University will notify all students and employees each academic year of:
    o The nondiscrimination policy statement.
    o Links to reporting procedures.
    o Contact information for the Title VI Coordinator.

6. Recordkeeping
  • The University will maintain records of reports, investigations, supportive measures, and training for at least seven years, in compliance with state and federal law.
 

7. Confidentiality
  • The University will protect the privacy of all parties to the extent possible, consistent with the need to investigate and address the reported conduct.

Yes. You may also file a complaint with:

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights
Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-1100
Phone: 800-421-3481
Fax: 202-453-6012
TDD: 800-877-8339
Email: OCR@ed.gov
 

The New York State Division of Human Rights

The easiest way to file a discrimination report is through our Call Center at (844) NYS-DHR1 or (844) 697-3471. A Call Center agent will ask you questions about your discrimination experience and submit a report for you. This helps you make sure that your report is clear and complete. This will help the rest of the process run more smoothly. When you’re done reporting, we’ll email you a copy for your records.

Another discrimination reporting option is completing the report yourself using our online Discrimination Reporting Form. When you’re done, you can submit it to us with a single click, and we’ll email you a copy for your records. Be sure to provide clear, complete information.

Please note: The information you provide at this stage is not an official complaint yet. After you file a discrimination report, we will review the information to determine whether the incident you experienced is covered by the New York State Human Rights Law. This may take us several weeks to complete. If the incident you reported is covered by the law, then we will help you file an official complaint. If you prefer, you can report discrimination on a printable form that you can mail to us. You can access those forms here. You can also find forms available in several languages here. If you are blind or a person with a vision disability, you can contact the Division at 718-741-8307 or accessibility@dhr.ny.gov to receive the report in an alternative format.

Courtesy of: https://dhr.ny.gov/complaint