Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy

Relevant Excerpt

The University's policy against harassment explicitly prohibits any form of harassment, defined as unwelcome conduct on the basis of actual or perceived membership in a protected class, by any member or group of the community.

A hostile environment may be created by oral, written, graphic, or physical conduct that is sufficiently severe, persistent/pervasive and objectively offensive that it interferes with, limits or denies the ability of an individual to participate in or benefit from educational programs or activities or employment access, benefits or opportunities.

Offensive conduct or harassment that does not rise to the level of discrimination, or that is of a generic nature not on the basis of a protected status, may not result in the imposition of discipline under University policy, but may still be addressed through civil confrontation, progressive discipline, remedial actions, education, restorative justice or effective conflict resolution mechanisms as described in the policy and other applicable University procedures.

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Sexual harassment creates a hostile environment, and may be disciplined when it is sufficiently severe, persistent/pervasive and objectively offensive that it (a) has the effect of unreasonably interfering with, denying or limiting employment opportunities or the ability to participate in or benefit from the University's educational, social or residential program, and (b) is based on power differentials (quid pro quo), the creation of a hostile environment or retaliation through any verbal, written, online or physical conduct.

Acts of sexual harassment may be committed by any person upon any other person, regardless of the sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity of those involved.

Sexual Harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment can include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal, nonverbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature where such conduct is sufficiently severe or pervasive that it has the effect, intended or unintended, of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance or it has created an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment and would have such an effect on a reasonable person.