The Center for Diversity and Global Engagement Student Support

Cultural & Religious Observance Policy

Wentworth Institute of Technology recognizes the importance of cultural and religious observances in a student's spiritual identity. In the spirit of community, it is important for all members of the Wentworth campus to be aware of major religious and cultural holidays and observances.

When a religious holiday conflicts with a student's class schedule, students assume the responsibility to discuss their absence from class to observe these holidays. Students should review the official Student Absence Due to Religious Beliefs policy in the Academic Catalog and speak to their faculty prior to their absence.

Please see our Holiday and Spiritual Observance Calendar.

Prayer & Meditation Room

The CDGE manages the Prayer & Mediation Room located in Beatty Hall (029). This space is open to anyone looking for a quiet space to connect spiritually. Meditation cushions, prayer rugs and a foot sink for ablution are available for use. The Prayer & Meditation Room cannot be reserved for private functions or programs.

Gender Inclusion

Wentworth is committed to a welcoming and inclusive campus community for all students no matter their gender identity and/or gender expression.

Students may select to live on campus in a gender-inclusive suite or apartment. Single user restrooms are located throughout campus, including within the residence halls. Students may provide Wentworth a preferred name to use in their day-to-day activities on campus. There’s an all-gender bathroom located in Willson Hall. The Center for Student Engagement has a trans-inclusive policy that allows students to play for teams that match their gender identity.

Preferred Name

Wentworth recognizes the significance of being individuals acknowledged by their preferred name. In support of this, we have a policy, which allows students to define their first name which is displayed on their accounts separately from their legal name.

Our Preferred Name policy is helpful for students who choose to use the English translation of their name, individuals whose legal names may not identify with their identity, and use a nickname (for example, legal name Elizabeth, preferred name Liz).

Documents and records that may display a preferred name include, among other things, course rosters, housing information, student and employee identification cards, and other documents issued by Wentworth. Your preferred name would be used in interactions with other students, faculty, and staff. The student and employee ID will include your preferred name.

Reporting Bias Incidents

Wentworth encourages the reporting of all perceived incidents of discrimination, harassment or bias-motivated acts or behavior, as defined by both law and policy. Upon receiving a complaint of discrimination, harassment or bias-motivated acts or behavior, the University will conduct a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the allegations.

A. Reporting Allegations of Discrimination, Harassment and Bias-Motivated Acts or Behavior Under University Policy Complaints of discrimination, harassment or bias-motivated acts or behavior against employees will be addressed by the Executive Director of Equity and Compliance, pursuant to established procedures. Individuals reporting incidents pertaining to this policy should contact:

Catlin Wells, M.Ed., J.D.
Executive Director of Equity and Compliance/Title IX Coordinator
Center for Engineering, Innovation and Sciences - 205
Boston, MA 02115-5998
Phone: 617-989-4119
Email: wellsc1@wit.edu

Upon completing the investigation, the University will take appropriate action, consistent with the results of the investigation. Disciplinary action may be taken against students, faculty or staff who violate this policy, up to and including dismissal from the University or termination of employment.

Wentworth reserves the right to investigate circumstances that may involve discrimination, harassment or bias-motivated acts or behavior in situations where evidence suggests that discrimination, harassment or bias-motivated acts or behavior may have occurred, regardless of whether or not a formal complaint has been made.

B. Initiating a Civil Rights Complaint of Discrimination and Harassment, as defined by Law The University complies with all federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, alienage, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If a student, faculty or staff member or other participant in a University program or activity feels that they have been subject to illegal discrimination or harassment under state or federal law on the basis of a legally protected characteristic they are encouraged to contact: