Background & Purpose

The IAC was convened in 2008 to affirm and promote institutional values of respect and inclusivity throughout Yale. The council is comprised of individuals from various administrative/academic units who work together to promote a culturally aware and accepting campus environment.

The IAC supports educational and social programming and provides opportunities for personal growth and advocacy; for constructive intercultural dialogue; and for challenging bias on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ability, socioeconomic status, citizenship, or other identities.

Intercultural Affairs Council

Get in Touch

IAC Funding Guidelines 

The IAC Funding Committee offers funding as a co-sponsor for events involving two or more student organizations that support its mission of promoting respect, inclusivity, and intercultural understanding at Yale. The Committee seeks events that showcase and explore the rich cultural resources our campus enjoys—with the understanding that culture refers not only to race and ethnicity but also to the multitude of unique and distinct groups here at Yale.

The IAC seeks to support educational and social programming and provides opportunities for personal growth and advocacy; for constructive intercultural dialogue; and for challenging bias on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ability, socioeconomic status, citizenship, or other identities

Guidelines

  • The event needs to be collaborative (i.e. at least two student organizations involved in the event implementation)
  • IAC funding applications may be submitted by registered Yale undergraduate and graduate student organizations.
  • The proposed event must be free and open to the broader Yale community.
  • Applications must be submitted at least 10 business days before the scheduled event.
  • Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. IAC co-sponsorships are typically in the range of $500 or less.
  • Proposals for events that have already happened will not be considered.
  • If the event is approved, there must be an acknowledgement of the IAC’s sponsorship on the event’s promotional materials (flyers, newsletters, etc.).

Events with IAC Support

The IAC has cosponsored the following events in previous years: 

  • Roshni: South Asian Showcase, in collaboration with South Asian Society, Jashan Bhangra, Rangeela, MonstRAASity, Kalaa, Yale Dhvani
  • NYC Field Trip, in collaboration with Yale African Students Association, Yale Black Muslims Students Association, Yale Undergraduate Association for African Peace and Development
  • Lunar New Year Ball, in collaboration with the Chinese American Students Association, Taiwanese American Society, Asian American Students Alliance, Korean American Students at Yale, Vietnamese Students Association
  • College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational, in collaboration with Jook Songs, WORD, ¡Oye!, TEETH Poetry
  • Gospel Through the Ages, Yale Gospel Choir, Steppin’ Out
  • Screening of Loving, in collaboration with the Racial and Ethnic Openness Club

Council Members

  • Omer Bajwa, Chaplain’s Office
  • Timeica Bethel, Afro-American Cultural Center
  • Melanie Boyd, Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs
  • Samuel Byrd, Office of LGBTQ Resources
  • Nathalie Carter, Yale Athletics
  • Peter Crumlish, Director, Dwight Hall: Center for Public Service and Social Justice
  • Stephen Davis, Head of Pierson College (Ex officio)
  • Andrea DePetris, Yale Mental Health and Counseling
  • Ziv Eisenberg, Slifka Center for Jewish Life at Yale
  • Andrés Fernández, Yale School of the Environment
  • Eileen Galvez, La Casa Cultural Center
  • Burgwell Howard, Senior Associate Dean of Student Engagement
  • Sharon Kugler, Chaplain’s Office
  • Matthew Makomenaw, Native American Cultural Center
  • Kimberly McKeown, Student Accessibility Services
  • Ozan Say, Office of International Students and Scholars
  • Joliana Yee, Asian American Cultural Center (Chair)

Reporting Discrimination & Harassment

Yale is firmly committed to equal opportunity and diversity and to fostering an environment in which all students, staff, and faculty can thrive. The university prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation and has enacted the Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment to prevent and address this conduct, consistent with Connecticut and federal laws.

For guidance on reporting, general procedures, and support options, please visit the Discrimination and Harassment Resource website. When you have concerns or questions, you have a wide range of choices for support. You can reach out to a Discrimination and Harassment Resource Coordinator (formerly, Dean’s Designees) or speak with other campus advocates, such as a residential college dean, dean of student affairs, or an Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA) staff member.

You may formally report discrimination, harassment, or retaliation using the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility Reporting Form. Upon submission, an OIEA staff member will contact you. You are also welcomed to reach out to OIEA by email, phone: (203) 432-0849, or by visiting the office at W.L. Harkness Hall, 3rd Floor, Room 303, 100 Wall Street, New Haven CT 06511.

After reporting to OIEA, a staff member will generally begin with a discussion which will assist both OIEA and the individual in determining the appropriate university resources and options for resolution. The OIEA staff member will assist with providing supportive resources including assisting with the resolution of concerns without an investigation or with an investigation, when warranted. Learn more about OIEA’s general procedures on the OIEA website.

Reporting Sexual Misconduct (including harassment): Title IX Coordinators are available to consult with members of the community about their concerns and questions related to sex or gender-based discrimination or sexual misconduct. The University-Wide Committee on Sexual Misconduct is designed to address allegations of sexual misconduct of every kind and is available to all students, faculty, and staff across the University according to the guidelines described in the Committee’s procedures. Anyone who believes he or she may have been subjected to sexual misconduct is encouraged to contact the SHARE Center (203-432-2000), the Yale Police Department (203-432-4400), or the New Haven Police Department (203-946-6316). For detailed information on all of Yale’s services, resources, and mechanisms for victims of sexual misconduct, please consult the Sexual Misconduct Response website.

Yale is firmly committed to equal opportunity and diversity and to fostering an environment in which all students, staff, and faculty can thrive. The university prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation and has enacted the Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment to prevent and address this conduct, consistent with Connecticut and federal laws.

For guidance on reporting, general procedures, and support options, please visit the Discrimination and Harassment Resource website. When you have concerns or questions, you have a wide range of choices for support. You can reach out to a Discrimination and Harassment Resource Coordinator (formerly, Dean’s Designees) or speak with other campus advocates, such as a residential college dean, dean of student affairs, or an Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA) staff member.

You may formally report discrimination, harassment, or retaliation using the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility Reporting Form. Upon submission, an OIEA staff member will contact you. You are also welcomed to reach out to OIEA by email, phone: (203) 432-0849, or by visiting the office at W.L. Harkness Hall, 3rd Floor, Room 303, 100 Wall Street, New Haven CT 06511.

After reporting to OIEA, a staff member will generally begin with a discussion which will assist both OIEA and the individual in determining the appropriate university resources and options for resolution. The OIEA staff member will assist with providing supportive resources including assisting with the resolution of concerns without an investigation or with an investigation, when warranted. Find information about OIEA’s general procedures on the OIAE website.

Reporting Sexual Misconduct (including harassment): Title IX Coordinators are available to consult with members of the community about their concerns and questions related to sex or gender-based discrimination or sexual misconduct. The University-Wide Committee on Sexual Misconduct is designed to address allegations of sexual misconduct of every kind and is available to all students, faculty, and staff across the University according to the guidelines described in the Committee’s procedures. Anyone who believes he or she may have been subjected to sexual misconduct is encouraged to contact the SHARE Center (203-432-2000), the Yale Police Department (203-432-4400), or the New Haven Police Department (203-946-6316). For detailed information on all of Yale’s services, resources, and mechanisms for victims of sexual misconduct, please consult the Sexual Misconduct Response website.

Reporting & Response

The university has procedures for reporting bias-related incidents. Any student, employee, or applicant for programs or employment at Yale who is concerned about affirmative action, equal opportunity, sexual/racial harassment, or fairness in admissions or employment at Yale, either in a general sense or with respect to their own situation, is encouraged to contact the Office for Equal Opportunity Programs.

Talking about a problem with a member of the Office is not a part of any formal grievance procedure. The Office will inform individuals about the University’s grievance procedures for students and employees. In such cases as the individual is not part of a group to which a formal grievance procedure applies, the Office will review a complaint. All inquiries are treated in a confidential manner.

For more information on the formal grievance procedure, please visit the Resources for Students to Address Discrimination and Harassment Concerns and the Office for Equal Opportunity Programs websites.

Reporting Sexual Misconduct (Including Harassment) 

The University-Wide Committee on Sexual Misconduct is designed to address allegations of sexual misconduct of every kind and is available to all students, faculty, and staff across the University according to the guidelines described in the Committee’s procedures. Anyone who believes he or she may have been subjected to sexual misconduct is encouraged to contact the SHARE Center (203-432-2000), the Yale Police Department (203-432-4400), or the New Haven Police Department (203-946-6316). For detailed information on all of Yale’s services, resources, and mechanisms for victims of sexual misconduct, please consult the Sexual Misconduct Response website.

Other Resources

  • Yale College students may also contact the head/dean of their residential college or their cultural/affinity center dean/director for assistance in accessing the appropriate resources.
  • Students in the School of Medicine community can confidentially contact the Office of the Ombudsperson at its confidential line: 203-737-4100.  The Ombuds’ Office provides a source of support for students, faculty, trainees, and staff who want to develop options for addressing a particular concern, or who may wish to consider learning how to deal with problems of their own.