Student Handbook: Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation, Policy Prohibiting

Relevant Excerpt

Harassment

Unwelcome verbal, visual, or physical conduct which is directed at a person based on a protected characteristic and violates the law when: ... (ii) these behaviors are sufficiently severe and/or pervasive to have the effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's educational experience, working conditions, or living conditions by creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.

Whether conduct is sufficiently severe and/or pervasive is determined by using the objective standard of a reasonable person as well as the subjective standard of the individual at whom the unwelcome conduct is directed. Union College strives for a respectful workplace and classroom environment at all times and prohibits any harassing conduct.

Examples of conduct that can constitute harassment if based on an individual’s protected characteristic include but are not limited to:

● Unwelcome jokes or comments about a legally protected characteristic (e.g., racial orethnic [sic] jokes);
● Disparaging remarks to a person about a legally protected characteristic (e.g., negative or offensive remarks or jokes about a person's religion or religious garments);
● Displaying negative or offensive posters or pictures about a legally protected characteristic;
● Electronic communications such as derogatory e-mail, text messaging, websites, and postings on social media.