Monmouth University Philosophy and Policy Statement:

Monmouth University affirms the inestimable worth and dignity of every individual, regardless of his or her condition in life.  We affirm, further, the right of each person to develop to his or her full potential and to be judged on the basis of personal accomplishments.  Finally, we believe that the achievement of full humanity is enhanced by the experience of the human family.

We are committed to achieve and sustain a pluralistic environment recognized for its racial, cultural and ethnic diversity, and which is characterized by genuine mutuality, acceptance, affirmation of the strengths and contributions of differing individuals and groups, and a willingness to resolve disputes in a spirit of good will.

Monmouth University through this philosophy and policy statement seeks to create a pluralistic community in which people:

	are accepted and judged as individuals, independent of ancestry, social and economic background, sexual orientation, age, gender, physical characteristics, or personal beliefs;
	may freely engage in constructive academic dialogue and debate in classrooms and public halls, and pursue their social and private lives, uninhibited by discrimination, disruption, or harassment in any form;
	value, respect and draw their intellectual strength from the rich diversity of other peoples of different races, cultures, religions, nationalities, and beliefs.

This affirmation and commitment will guide us in the challenging times ahead as we strive to achieve excellence in service, teaching, and scholarship.  The Office of Affirmative Action, Human Relations and Compliance collaborates with other University constituencies to facilitate ongoing interaction among all students and employees to promote appreciation of racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity.  The Office serves as the primary vehicle to initiate, coordinate, and advance programming for a culturally diverse population.   It addresses issues of diversity related to gender, disability, sexual orientation, and religion throughout the University community.

In the fall of 1998, the Human Relations Restructuring Committee members began a series of discussions relative to Human Relations issues at Monmouth University and to examine the state of the existing Human Relations Council.  The report on the work of the Human Relations Restructing Committee describes a model that Monmouth University will use as a whole to address, in a proactive manner, the many issues of harassment, bias and discrimination, subtle but pervasive, that exists in our society and at the University. 

Accordingly, the Human Relations Restructuring Committee met with the Human Relations Council in the spring of 1999 and presented their recommendations for restructuring.  The formation of the Human Relations Advisory Council was completed and charged to

report annually to the University President on the state of campus human relations;

	advise and assist the University Crisis Management Team through the appointment of a designated Advisory Council member to the Team;
	take an active role in planning, coordinating and assisting in the sensitivity of the campus community to diversity/pluralistic issues through coordination of campus-wide programs;
	arrange for the conducting of periodic audits/surveys to ascertain campus climate, considering three-year cyclic audits.

Human Relations Advisory Council Members
Human Relations Advisory Council Meeting Schedule

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