Rutgers University Senate backs adding caste as protected category following task force report

NEW DELHI: The Rutgers University Senate, representing faculty, students, staff, and alumni passed a resolution supporting the recommendations of the University Task Force on Caste Discrimination, pushing for immediate action by the administration. One key recommendation of the task force is to add caste as a protected category in the university's anti-discrimination policies.

This comes after the task force, created by the Rutgers administration and the Rutgers AAUP-AFT Faculty and Graduate Student Union, submitted a report in August 2024. The report outlined caste discrimination as a significant issue at Rutgers, impeding the opportunities and potential of certain students and faculty members.

Key Findings of the Task Force Report

Caste was defined by the task force as "an inherited and immutable social hierarchy with uneven power relations between groups," existing in various communities worldwide, including those at Rutgers. The task force discovered specific cases of caste-based discrimination on multiple Rutgers campuses, emphasizing that these discriminatory practices contradicted the university’s core values of equity and inclusion.

The report underscored that caste-based discrimination exists within the university, affecting individuals from different caste backgrounds, particularly students and faculty members from South Asian communities. It noted that the discriminatory environment not only impacted these individuals’ social experiences but also limited their academic and professional opportunities. Such issues, according to the task force, go against Rutgers' commitment to maintaining an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

Recommendations for Change

In response to these findings, the Rutgers Senate urged the administration to adopt the four key recommendations made by the task force to address caste discrimination and promote equity. These recommendations include:

1. Caste as a Protected Category: The first recommendation is that caste should be added as a standalone category to Rutgers’ list of protected classes in its policies on discrimination and harassment. This would ensure that caste-based discrimination is explicitly recognized and prohibited under university guidelines.
2. Anti-Discrimination Communication: The task force also recommended that the administration create university-wide communications clearly stating that caste-based discrimination will not be tolerated at Rutgers. These communications should also clarify the processes for reporting incidents of caste discrimination and the available resolution mechanisms. Establishing clear reporting pathways would make it easier for individuals to come forward and address grievances related to caste discrimination.
3. Educational Initiatives: Another significant recommendation is the implementation of short-term and long-term educational initiatives aimed at raising awareness about caste discrimination. The task force suggested integrating both Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts and academic programs that focus on caste and its social implications. These initiatives would help foster an understanding of caste-related issues on campus, thereby encouraging behavioral and cultural change.
4. Data Collection: Lastly, the Senate called for Rutgers to gather both qualitative and quantitative data on the impact of caste and caste-based discrimination on students, staff, and faculty. Collecting data is crucial for understanding the scope of the problem and identifying how caste discrimination affects the university community. This information would help the university take more targeted actions and ensure that the necessary resources are allocated to address caste-based discrimination effectively.