Experiencing Discrimination

Emerson Wellness Center offers a variety of services to Emerson students. Counseling Services provides short-term psychotherapy, support and therapy groups, psychiatric consultation, referrals, crisis intervention, and outreach. All services are confidential.

OEO is the central place at Emerson for students, staff and faculty to report concerns about discrimination, harassment and sexual violence (including sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking and sexual exploitation). OEO can meet with individuals who may have experienced this conduct to discuss their experience, provide support resources and to review what options may be available if that person was interested in taking steps to address that conduct. OEO is responsible for the informal and formal resolution processes that are available internally to address this type of conduct, and also conducts training on these topics campus-wide.

Anyone who believes they have experienced an incident of discrimination, harassment or sexual violence is encouraged to contact the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) for support, resources and information about options for addressing that conduct. This would include conduct based on any of the protected categories, such as race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, religion, disability, age, and other protected identities.

The Center for Spiritual Life is Emerson’s inclusive, multifaith hub for religious and spiritual programming, support, and education. Our team of chaplains and student leaders work to foster a campus environment where faith traditions and spirituality can be practiced freely and wholly. Through one-on-one conversations, retreats, lunches, and meditative gatherings, we seek to provide spiritual nourishment to our campus.

*Please note that the Campus Chaplain is the confidential resource in this office.

The Healing and Advocacy Collective offers confidential support and advocacy-based counseling for people impacted by power-based interpersonal violence, “including abusive relationships and bullying, stalking and threats, sexual assault and harassment, child abuse and neglect, and additional experiences. In addition, we work with individuals and groups to increase knowledge and education about:
- Power and Control
- Bystander intervention
- Transforming relationships and culture
- Trauma-informed yoga
and more to create community change.

Intercultural Student Affairs at Emerson centers humanity, compassion, and education at the forefront of everything we do. We honor, celebrate, and validate the narratives of marginalized voices, and in turn, support community-based advocacy, reflection, and action. In short, we want to create and hold space where people can be who they are.

The Office of International Student Affairs (OISA) provides immigration and campus support services for Emerson’s international student community:

- We offer immigration advising for students in F-1 status, exchange visitors, and others on matters related to U.S. study, work authorization, and international travel
- We support international students with cross-campus resources for academic success, community integration, leadership development, and career preparedness
- We promote campus organizations, events, and initiatives that reflect Emerson’s global voice

International Student Affairs falls under Emerson’s Office of Internationalization and Equity (IE). Together with our partner offices – Education Abroad and Domestic Programs (EADP) and English Language Learning (ELL) – IGE provides strategic vision and support for college internationalization initiatives.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual+ (LGBTQIA+) Student Life is housed under Intercultural Student Affairs within the Division of Student Affairs, and provides support for LGBTQIA+ students. The staff strives to enhance the quality of life for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies, recognizing that sexual orientation and gender expression work through and are influenced by race, ethnicity, gender, culture, age, class, faith, ability status, and other social characteristics.

The Intercultural Student Affairs team provides consultation to students in the area of queer issues and offers educational, informational, and advocacy services. Additionally, LGBTQIA+ student organizations including EAGLE (Emerson's Advancement Group for Love And Expression) and XeCult (Art Collective for Queer Women and Femmes), and Theyta (a group for non-binary folx) are advised and supported by Intercultural Student Affairs.