Civil Rights and Title IX Policy

Relevant Excerpt

HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT: A hostile environment is created when conduct directed at one or more members of a protected class is subjectively and objectively offensive and so severe or pervasive that it limits or denies an individual’s ability to access an educational opportunity or work experience. Individuals who make a claim of a hostile environment need not be the target of the alleged harassment but can be anyone impacted by the offensive behavior. Whether conduct would create a hostile environment requires a fact-specific analysis including factors such as: the degree to which the conduct impacted the complainant’s access; the type, frequency, duration, and location of the conduct; the parties respective ages and roles within the College; previous interactions between the parties; and proximity to other instances of harassment.

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SEXUAL HARASSMENT: Any form of harassment that specifically targets an individual based on that individual's sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or pregnancy status.