Dear Oxy Community:
The following notice compiles important information for students and employees at Occidental College, including certain information that the College is legally required to convey to you each year. You are encouraged to read this notice and review the materials linked below. In addition, please see the end of this email for compiled policy updates.
1. Annual Fire Safety and Security Report
2. Notice of Non-Discrimination
3. Campus-Wide Alcohol and Drug-Free Policy
4. Higher Education Opportunity Act Required Disclosures
5. Family Education Rights and Privacy Act Policy
6. Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act Survey
1. Annual Fire Safety and Security Report
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the “Clery Act”) requires colleges and universities to disclose information about crimes on their campuses or within Clery geography, and to produce an annual report available to the public. Occidental’s 2024 Annual Fire Safety and Security Report was prepared in accordance with the Clery Act and previously distributed on October 1, 2024. It includes statistics for the 2023 calendar year and the two previous calendar years. This report serves as an important guide and resource to the Occidental community regarding the following topics, among others:
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Access to Campus Property
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Campus-Wide Alcohol and Drug-Free Policy
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Campus Security
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Crime Prevention
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Crime and Fire Safety Statistics
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Emergency Notifications, Timely Warnings and Safety Alerts
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Personal Safety Guidance
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Response to Sexual Misconduct, Intimate Partner Violence, and Stalking
The most recent report is available online at this link. Printed copies may also be requested by contacting Campus Safety via e-mail at campussafety@oxy.edu.
2. Notice of Non-Discrimination
Occidental College does not tolerate harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, religious belief, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Such conduct is prohibited in Occidental’s educational programs and activities and in the context of employment and admissions (including application for each), as required by: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its implementing regulations, 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended in 2008; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; the California Fair Employment and Housing Act; and other similar laws.
To report:
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Sex or gender-based harassment, sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, or stalking, which are prohibited under the Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct Policy, please see these reporting options or contact the Civil Rights & Title IX Coordinator using the information below.
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Discrimination, harassment, or retaliation based on other protected characteristics, which are prohibited under the DHR Policy, please see these reporting options or contact the Civil Rights & Title IX Coordinator using the information below:
Civil Rights & Title IX Coordinator
Alexandra Fulcher
AGC Room 111
(323) 259-1338
You may also review the College’s complete Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Civil Rights & Title IX web page.
3. Drug Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) and Related Policies
The Drug Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) requires that Occidental notify each student and employee of its standards of conduct, applicable legal sanctions, health risks, and available programs related to the illicit use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol by students and employees. You can find additional information on these topics in the Campus-Wide Alcohol and Drug Free Policy.
4. Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA)
In August 2008, Congress enacted the Higher Education Opportunity Act (the “Act”) to reauthorize the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. Several of the Act’s provisions require Occidental to make specific information available to students and the public. The required disclosures can be found on Occidental’s Consumer Information webpage.
5. Student Rights Related to Educational Records (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of, and limits access to, student education records. The law affords students certain privacy rights with respect to their education records. For more information, please see the College’s FERPA Policy.
6. Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA)
Coeducational institutions of higher education that participate in any federal student aid program and have an intercollegiate athletic program must prepare an Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA) report and make it available upon request to students, potential students, and the public. Printed copies of Occidental’s report may be obtained from Occidental's Athletic Department or by visiting this web page.
College Policy Updates
I also want to draw your attention to several new or updated College policies, which were approved by the Policy Committee within the past year, pursuant to the Policy on the Approval and Maintenance of College Policies. College policies—meaning institution-level policies subject to Policy Committee review—have been gradually re-formatted to create a uniform style and re-organized within the updated Policy Directory.
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Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation (DHR) Policy. Clarified the definition of hostile environment harassment; emphasized speech rights and considerations; added examples of DHR (including examples of shared ancestry discrimination); and codified the College’s process of reviewing the overall environment when reports demonstrate a potential pattern.
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Executive Compensation Policy. Approved by the Board of Trustees, this new policy guides the College and the Board when reviewing the compensation of College Officers and Key Employees (as defined), consistent with the Internal Revenue Code and California Nonprofit Integrity Act.
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Faculty Housing Assistance Program Policy. Describes and governs a new housing program, which provides eligible faculty with up to $150,000 as a 12-year forgivable loan, to assist with their purchase of a home.
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Gift Acceptance Policy. Updated to clarify protocols related to gift documentation, legacy gifts, donor intent, and pooled funds, among other topics.
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Protocols Regarding Immigration Enforcement on Campus. Created to support the College’s compliance with California laws that limit our assistance with federal immigration efforts. The protocol also identifies Designated Campus Officials; provides guidance for individuals who may encounter immigration agents; and describes processes for protecting private information and spaces.
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Right to Dissent and Demonstration Policy. Added certain time, place, and manner restrictions for campus demonstrations, including a time limitation (6am - midnight) and prohibition on using certain materials (bullhorns, tents, etc.). Clarified that demonstrations may not interfere with others’ rights, such as to be free from harassment and to have access to campus spaces and programs.
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Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct Policy. Revised to expand definitions of sex discrimination and sex-based harassment; modify the investigation process for cases involving misconduct that falls outside of the scope of the 2020 Title IX regulations, so that a live hearing is no longer required; and add robust protections for pregnant and parenting students.
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Travel Expenses, Credit Cards, and Expense Reimbursement Policy. Completely reorganized and revamped to cover topics such as allowable and unallowable business expenses, requirements when using sponsored funds, documentation, business travel and meals, and use of virtual and physical College-issued credit cards.
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Whistleblower Policy. Updated to provide key definitions, incorporate requirements from applicable laws, create an anonymous reporting option, and emphasize employees’ protections against retaliation when making whistleblower complaints.
Please see the Policy Directory for a more complete list of institutional policies, and refer to specific departments and units for other policies that may be applicable to their activities. The Policy Committee meets on a monthly basis to review requests to add or modify College policies, and you may contact me to discuss your request.
Thank you for your attention and support for Oxy's compliance efforts. For more information please see the Occidental College Compliance Web Page or reach out to the Office of the General Counsel.
Sincerely,
Nora Kahn
General Counsel
Office of the General Counsel
nkahn@oxy.edu | T 323-259-1343