The office of Mission Integration and Strategy supports and advocates for campus community that is inclusive of varied identities, in keeping with its mission:
Bias Response Policy
Cedar Crest College (the “College”) values a diverse, inclusive, and equitable learning environment. The College is committed to maintaining a respectful and welcoming living, learning, and working environment for all students, faculty, and staff. As such, the College has established the Bias Incident Resource Team. The Resource Team is the first response from the College in coordinating responses to bias and hate incidents. The Response Team ensures that affected individuals have access to appropriate resources, to assist the College in its response, and to facilitate a coordinated campus response to bias-related incidents and situations.
Education and Dialogue Workshops
The Office of MIS provides education and dialogue workshops for campus departments, Academic Departments and student groups. Through the leadership of the Student Mission Advocates and the VP of MIS, the goal is to promote the mission of Cedar Crest College so that each member of the campus community feels a sense of belonging.
Accessibility
Accessibility is the practice of making information, spaces, and activities accommodating to as many people as possible. Accessibility has an important role in many people’s lives especially those with disabilities. Accessibility also aims to make life more equitable for people with disabilities and/ or societal barriers. At the Allen House, the Student Mission Advocates’ (SMA) responsibilities are to plan events with the office of Student Accessibility Services, maintain outreach with students, and advocate for more accessible practices at the college. If you have questions or would like to collaborate with the office, please e-mail Rebecca Kile, Director of Student Accessibility Services at
Gender and Sexuality Diversity.
LGBTQIA+ Resources
Welcome to the LGBTQIA+ Resources page! Here you will be able to find information on Cedar Crest related policies, facilitates, and more. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Mission Integration and Strategy at . All policies and guidelines can be viewed in full in the Student Handbook.
Harassment Policy (from the Student Handbook)
Conduct that creates or attempts to create an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment for another person is prohibited. Such conduct includes, but is not limited to, action(s) or statement(s) that threaten harm or intimidate a person, stalking, voyeurism (or peeping), or any other form of unwanted contact. This policy also applies to harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender or sex, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, familial status or any other characteristic protected from discrimination under law.
Admission Policy
Founded under the mission to expand women’s access to higher education Cedar Crest College remains committed to its historic mission as a women’s college. Applicants to the traditional undergraduate program who self-identify as women are eligible to apply for admission. We do not require government issued or medical documentation for purposes of identifying an applicant’s gender identity. Once admitted, a student who completes the College’s baccalaureate requirements will be awarded a Cedar Crest degree regardless of gender identity or expression.
Cedar Crest College also provides co-educational adult undergraduate program and graduate programs inclusive of all genders via its School for Adult and Graduate Education (SAGE).
Name Change
Current policy delineates how students, staff and faculty are able to designate a chosen name first name that will be reflected in most of our college systems. Because we interact with a multitude of systems, this process takes several steps and some time—possibly a few weeks– to trickle down to all of our databases. Additionally incoming students will be able to start the process once they are provided with a Mycedarcrest account. If you encounter any difficulty, please reach out to the office of Mission Integration and Strategy.
You can find more information including instructions on how to start the process and FAQs in the link below:
Limitations
Although the College is committed to supporting students in the transgender community, it is important to understand that designating a chosen name for use at Cedar Crest does not constitute a legal name change. A student’s birth name and/or legal name will continue to be used on certain College documents. Chosen first and/or middle names may be designated. The College is unable to designate a chosen surname without documents showing that the surname has been changed legally by a court or government entity.
Students interested in changing their name legally can find resources through local government or the Eastern PA Trans Equity Project.
Gender Inclusive Housing (from the Student Handbook)
Cedar Crest College offers inclusive housing options to traditional students who self-identify as transgender, gender nonconforming, gender variant and non-cisgender students, as well as students who identify as allies to this community. For students wishing to gain more information about other services and support available for students that identify as Gender and Sexuality Diverse (GSD), please contact the office of Student Success and Engagement and Dean of Students.
Gender Inclusive Restroom policy (from the Student Handbook)
Cedar Crest College affirms the right of all students to use a restroom according to their gender identity without fear of discrimination, retaliation or harassment. Cedar Crest College also maintains single-stall, gender-inclusive restrooms in most buildings which are open to the public and all members of the College community. In regards to the residence halls, please reference the College’s current policy and practice.
Cedar Crest Student Health Insurance Coverage
Our current policy has limited transgender specific coverage. Please check the insurance plan specific information for details here. Before using this policy, please check the member-specific benefit plan document and any federal or state mandates, if applicable.
Gender Dysphoria Treatment: Student Insurance
Student Organization
OutThere (LGBT Student Organization)
The purpose of this organization shall be to bring awareness and offer support to those who identify as Gender and Sexually Diverse (GSD). Meetings are held bi-weekly (every other week), unless otherwise designated, with an advisor to discuss issues pertaining to social acceptances of daily life. We also strive to maintain an open, safe, and supportive environment at all times.
Email:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OutThere
Student Support on Campus
The Office of Mission Integration and Strategy supports Cedar Crest College’s community through its educational programming and services. The office will provide resources that foster awareness as well as empower students with knowledge, tools and experiences that promote global citizenship and a more inclusive campus. We advocate for all students and members of the community from various identities.
Local Resources
Lehigh Valley Renaissance: www.renaissancelv.org
Bradbury Sullivan LGBT Community Center: www.bradburysullivancenter.org
Spiritual and Religious Diversity
The College views a student’s spiritual development as an integral part of their educational experience. To this end, Cedar Crest provides students of all faiths the opportunity to seek avenues of personal growth.
We will also work with individual students to create avenues and partnerships to best support student development and spaces for spiritual growth and reflection. For more information, please reach out to Cara Cavall, Program Coordinator at .