Non-Discrimination Policy Statement

The College is committed to equal opportunity in educational programs, employment, and all access to institutional programs and activities. The College, and each individual who represents the College, shall provide access to its services, classes, and programs without regard to national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race or ethnicity, color, medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, military or veteran status, or because he or she is perceived to have one or more of the foregoing characteristics, or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. The College President/CEO shall establish administrative procedures that ensure all members of the College community can present complaints regarding alleged violations of this policy and have their complaints heard in accordance with the Title 5 regulations and those of other agencies that administer state and federal laws regarding nondiscrimination.

To learn more see Mt. San Antonio College’s Board Policies and Administrative Procedures.

 Definitions of Protected Classes

• • National Origin
    Includes citizenship, country of origin, and national origin. It also includes language use restrictions and holding or presenting a driver’s license issued under section 12801.9 of the Vehicle Code. (Ref. Cal. Govt. Code § 12926 (o)(v) and Cal. Govt. Code § 12951)
  • Religion
    Includes all aspects of religious belief, observance, and practice, including religious dress and grooming practices. “Religious dress practice” shall be construed broadly to include the wearing or carrying of religious clothing, head or face coverings, jewelry, artifacts, and any other item that is part of the observance by an individual of his or her religious creed. “Religious grooming practice” shall be construed broadly to include all forms of head, facial, and body hair that are part of the observance by an individual of his or her religious creed. Religion includes agnosticism and atheism. (Ref. Cal. Govt. Code § 12926(q) and Cal Ed. Code § 212.3)
  • Age
    In respect to employment discrimination, refers to the chronological age of any individual who has reached his or her 40th birthday. (Ref. Cal. Govt. Code § 12926(b))
  • Gender/Sex
    Means sex, and includes a person’s gender identity and gender expression. Sex also includes, but is not limited to, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or any related medical condition(s). (Ref. Cal. Govt. Code § 12926(r))
  • Gender Identity or Gender Expression
    A person's gender related appearance and behavior whether or not stereotypically associated with the person's assigned sex at birth. (Ref. Cal. Govt. Code § 12926(r))
  • Race, Ethnicity, Ancestry, or Color
    Includes ancestry, color, ethnic group identification, and ethnic background.  "Race" is inclusive of traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles (includes, but is not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, locks, and twists).  (Ref. Cal. Govt. Code  § 12926 (o) and Cal Ed. Code  § 212.1 (b, c)).
  • Medical Condition
    1. Any health impairment related to or associated with a diagnosis of cancer or a record or history of cancer; or
    2. Genetic characteristics. For purposes of this section, "genetic characteristics" means either of the following:

    1. Any scientifically or medically identifiable gene or chromosome, or combination or alteration thereof, that is known to be a cause of a disease or disorder in a person or offspring, or that is determined to be associated with a statistically increased risk of development of a disease or disorder, and that is presently not associated with any symptoms of any disease or disorder; or
    2. Inherited characteristics that may derive from the individual or family member, that are known to be a cause of a disease or disorder in a person or offspring, or that are determined to be associated with a statistically increased risk of development of a disease or disorder, and that are presently not associated with any symptoms of any disease or disorder.

    (Ref. Cal. Govt. Code § 12926 (i))

  • Genetic Information
    1. The person’s genetic tests.
    2. The genetic tests of the person’s family members.
    3. The manifestation of a disease or disorder in the person’s family members.
    4. Any request for, or receipt of genetic services, or participation in clinical research that includes genetic services, by a person or any person’s family member: or
    5. Genetic Information does not include information about the sex or age of any person.

    (Ref. Cal. Govt. Code § 12926(g))

  • Sexual Orientation
    Means one’s preference in sexual partners and includes heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality. (Ref. Cal. Gov. Code § 12926(s))
  • Marital Status
    Means an individual’s state of marriage, non-marriage, divorce or dissolution, separation, widowhood, annulment, or other marital state. (Ref. 2 Cal. Code Regs.§11053)
  • Disability (Mental or Physical)
    1. Having a physical or mental condition that limits a major life activity. “Limits” means making the achievement of a major life activity difficult. “Limits” is determined without regard to mitigating measures such as medications, assistive devices, prosthetics, or reasonable accommodations, unless the mitigating measure itself limits a major life activity. A “major life activity” is broadly construed and includes physical, mental, and social activities (such as walking, talking, seeing, hearing) and working; or
    2. Having a known history of a qualifying impairment; or
    3. Being regarded or treated as having or having had a qualifying impairment; or
    4. Being regarded or treated as having or having had such an impairment that has no presently disabling effects but may become a qualifying impairment in the future.
    5. Disability includes HIV and AIDS.

    (Ref. Cal. Govt. Code § 12926 and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 2008 Amendments)

  • Military or Veterans Status
    • Means a person who serves in the active military, naval, or air service; or
    • A person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable. (38 C.F.R.)