Federal and New York State laws prohibit employers from asking certain types of questions and from using non-job-related information in the selection process. All questions and case analyses should be job related.
Statement of Nondiscrimination
Columbia Business School is committed to a policy against discrimination based on sex, race, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, sexual preference/orientation, arrest record, or disability. It is illegal to ask questions that are designed to directly or indirectly elicit information about a candidate’s age, marital status, sexual orientation, race, or ethnicity (including citizenship and national origin), derivation of name, religious affiliation or beliefs, arrest record, or physical disabilities that are not related to the candidate's ability to perform the job.
We recognize the right of employers to take into account bona fide occupational qualifications. Complaints concerning inappropriate questions on the part of recruiters will be investigated. Career Management Center facilities are available only to employers whose practices are consistent with this policy.
Non-job-related questions should not appear on employment applications. A separate form used only for the purpose of affirmative action tracking may request information about a candidate’s age, race, national origin, and disabilities. Completion of this form is always voluntary. Use of this information for other purposes in the recruitment process is unethical. In addition, taking or requesting photographs as part of the application process is an unacceptable practice. We encourage companies to ask the students through their own application processes the questions that enable them to comply with Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) regulations.
Grade Non-Disclosure
Columbia Business School students voted to implement a student norm of grade non disclosure. This community norm states that students will not disclosure grades, GPA’s, or transcripts to employers until a student accepts a full-time, post-graduation position with an employer. Students however may continue to disclose receipt of academic honors (e.g., Dean’s List) and membership in honor societies.
The students believe that grade non-disclosure has contributed to promoting greater risk-taking, teamwork, experiential learning, and community building in the classroom, resulting in more well-rounded graduates. Hopefully, this leads to better employees, and stronger leaders. While each student maintains the legal right to determine whether or not to disclose his or her grades, the CBS student body chose grade non disclosure as a collective norm to enhance the educational experience at Columbia. Accordingly, as highly valued members of our community, you are asked for continued respect of the CBS student body’s decision by refraining from asking students to disclose grades during the recruiting process until a student has accepted a full-time, post-graduation employment offer from your organization.