Civil Rights, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility at Stonehill:

Stonehill’s Commitment to Civil Rights

Civil rights provide a strong and appropriate foundation for expressing Stonehill’s commitment to fairness, justice, and human dignity. As a Catholic institution dedicated to scholarship and faith, Stonehill seeks to foster an environment where all individuals are respected, valued, and given equal opportunities to succeed. The commitment to civil rights, rooted in both legal tradition and ethical responsibility, aligns closely with this mission.

Civil Rights Reflects Universal Principles of Justice and Fairness

Stonehill College’s mission affirms the inherent dignity of each person and a commitment to creating a just and compassionate world. Civil rights, historically established through laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964, ensure that all individuals – regardless of race, gender, religion, or background – are treated fairly and have equal access to opportunities. By framing its commitment in these terms, Stonehill emphasizes a universally recognized standard of justice.

Civil Rights Aligns with Our Catholic Heritage and Holy Cross Charism

The Catholic intellectual and moral tradition – the foundation of the educational vision of Blessed Basil Moreau and the Congregation of Holy Cross – has long championed human rights and social justice. Civil rights principles reflect vital teachings on the dignity of the person, the common good, and the moral obligation to protect the rights of all. By using civil rights as a guiding concept, Stonehill upholds its faith-driven mission while reinforcing its dedication to ethical leadership and social responsibility.

Civil Rights Emphasizes Legal Protections and Ethical Responsibilities

Civil rights are firmly grounded in constitutional and legal protections that apply to all individuals. This framework ensures that Stonehill’s commitment to fairness and opportunity is aligned with established legal and ethical principles, reinforcing the College’s role in upholding justice, free inquiry, and equal access to education.

Civil Rights Promotes a Culture of Opportunity and Mutual Respect

By affirming civil rights, Stonehill College fosters an environment where individuals are treated fairly and given the opportunity to succeed based on their talents and efforts. This framework supports a community where students and faculty can engage in meaningful dialogue, learn from one another, and contribute to a broader understanding of justice and fairness.

Civil Rights Reinforces Free Inquiry and Open Discourse

Stonehill’s mission emphasizes critical thinking, free inquiry, and the exchange of ideas, all of which are strengthened by a commitment to civil rights. This framework ensures that all individuals are free to express their perspectives, engage in academic debate, and challenge ideas in a respectful and constructive manner. By prioritizing civil rights, Stonehill reinforces its dedication to an academic culture that values thoughtful engagement and mutual respect.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Stonehill’s Definition

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) refers to workplace, admissions, and campus community policies and practices that ensure all individuals, regardless of race, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, or other protected characteristics, have fair and meaningful access to opportunities, development, and participation in the activities of Stonehill.

DEI means we strive to:

• promote outreach and recruitment efforts to attract a wide range of talented people to join our community as students, faculty, and staff;
• remove unnecessary barriers to admission, employment, or advancement;
• ensure equal access to education and consistent criteria for academic evaluation for all students;
• ensure fair and consistent criteria for the hiring, promotion, and compensation of employees;
• provide spiritual guidance, education, and training which emphasizes the inherent dignity of every person; and
• foster an inclusive and welcoming community where everyone feels valued and respected.

Respect for the Rule of Law

At Stonehill we take seriously the need to uphold and adhere to federal and state civil rights laws. To be clear, it is not illegal to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. However, certain actions are not included in Stonehill’s DEI efforts.  These include:

• explicit preferences in hiring or admission based on race, gender, or other similar groupings (“groupings”);
• setting quotas in hiring or admission based on groupings;
• providing internship, leadership, scholarship, enrollment, employment, or mentorship opportunities that are only open to specific groupings; or
• promoting mandatory training or educational programs which state that one group is inherently unfair to another group.

A Principled Mission

Stonehill’s mission aligns with federal and state anti-discrimination laws by emphasizing the inherent dignity of each person and fostering a culture where differences are affirmed. Laws such as Title VI and Title IX of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Massachusetts anti-discrimination statutes prohibit discrimination based on race, sex, religion, disability, and other protected characteristics.  The College’s mission to treat all individuals with respect and ensure an open learning environment guides our commitment to these legal standards.

The College’s dedication to educating the whole person and fostering leadership for a just and compassionate world reinforces its adherence to laws that mandate equal access and fair treatment for all individuals. By promoting free inquiry, critical thinking, and the respectful exchange of ideas, Stonehill seeks to create an environment where students, faculty, and staff can engage in education and scholarly pursuits without bias or exclusion.

Stonehill College complies with anti-discrimination laws by actively seeking to embody these principles.

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This information was last revised February 18, 2025.