Policy 625: Student Sexual Misconduct Policy

Relevant Excerpt

Sexual Misconduct by a student can occur in any University sponsored program, both on-campus and off-campus or at an off campus location if the effects of the misconduct adversely affects or creates a hostile environment on campus, endangers or threatens the health or safety of any person, and/or is detrimental to the University’s interests and/or educational mission.

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Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, which can include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, including sexual assault and other acts of sexual violence.

Sexual harassment creates a sexually hostile environment if the conduct is sufficiently serious that it denies or limits the ability to participate in or benefit from a University program. A variety of related factors determine if a sexually hostile environment has been created and the conduct in question is considered from both an objective and subjective perspective. Factors examined include the type of harassment; the frequency and severity of the misconduct; the age, sex, and relationship of the individuals involved; the setting and context in which the harassment occurred; and other relevant factors. The more severe the conduct, the less need there is to show a repetitive series of incidents to prove hostile environment, particularly if the harassment is physical. A single or isolated instance of sexual violence may create a hostile environment.