EI-PO-04 Non-Discrimination Policy
University of Texas at Arlington
Relevant Excerpt
Harassment on the basis of any protected characteristics described in this policy is strictly prohibited and is a form of discrimination prohibited by various statutes including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Chapter 21 of the Texas Labor Code. For purposes of this policy, Harassment is defined as physical, verbal, visual or other conduct relating to any protected characteristics described in this Policy and Procedure other than sex or gender when:
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Such conduct is sufficiently severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies equal access to UTA’s program by interfering unreasonably with an individual’s work or academic performance, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or academic environment that is, or would be, offensive to a person of reasonable sensitivity and sensibilities (hostile environment Harassment).
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Harassing conduct prohibited by this Policy includes, but is not limited to, such things as the following, provided they meet the standard for harassment set forth above:
- Making or threatening reprisals after a negative response to a request to engage in discriminatory conduct;
- Engaging in visual conduct such as leering or making obscene, taunting or threatening gestures;
- Displaying suggestive, obscene or degrading material, objects, pictures, cartoons, posters;
- Using visual or audio electronic devices or media (such as radio, television, telephone, social media, computers, email, etc.) to broadcast, distribute or transmit offensive statements, images or other material;
- Making derogatory comments about an individual’s protected characteristics; or jokes concerning protected characteristics or traits;
- Using degrading words relating to an individual’s or group of individuals’ protected characteristics to describe the individual(s);
- Engaging in verbal or written slurs, degrading or negative stereotyping; and