Miami University Policy Library: Policy Prohibiting Harassment and Discrimination

Relevant Excerpt

Harassment:Harassment is unwelcome conduct that is based  a persons’ Protected  Class Status-age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin (ancestry), pregnancy, race, religion, sex/gender, status as a parent or foster parent, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.

Harassing conduct may include, but is not limited to, offensive jokes, slurs, epithets or name calling, physical assaults or threats, intimidation, ridicule or mockery, insults or put-downs, offensive objects or pictures, and interference with work performance.

Harassment becomes a violation of this Policy when 1) enduring the offensive conduct becomes a condition of continued employment, or 2) the conduct is sufficiently severe or pervasive enough to create a work environment that a reasonable person would consider it intimidating, hostile, or abusive. For conduct to constitute harassment it must be more than offensive; it must be so severe or pervasive that it effectively denies the victim access to the University’s programs or activities or unreasonably interferes with the victim’s working, educational or living environment.