Executive Policy 15: Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct

Relevant Excerpt

Discriminatory Harassment
Unwelcome, intentional conduct, on the basis of membership in a protected class, other than sex, which is so severe or pervasive, and objectively offensive, that it substantially and unreasonably:

• Interferes with, or has the potential to interfere with, an individual’s ability to participate in WSU employment, education, programs, or activities;
• Adversely alters the condition of an individual’s WSU employment, education, or participation status;
• Creates an objectively abusive employment, program, or educational environment; or
• Results in a material or substantial disruption of WSU’s operations or the rights of students, staff, faculty, visitors, or program participants.

...

Other Sexual Harassment is defined as:

a. Unwelcome, intentional conduct, on the basis of sex and/or gender, which is so severe or pervasive, and objectively offensive, that it substantially and unreasonably:

i. Interferes with, or has the potential to interfere with, an individual’s ability to participate in WSU employment, education, programs, or activities;

ii. Adversely alters the condition of an individual’s WSU employment, education, or participation status;

iii. Creates an objectively abusive employment, program, or educational environment; or

iv. Results in a material or substantial disruption of WSU’s operations or the rights of students, staff, faculty, visitors, or program participants.

...

Discriminatory harassment may include:

• Name calling or other verbal or physical behavior based on a protected class that is so severe or pervasive, and objectively offensive, that it substantially and unreasonably interferes with an individual’s ability to participate in a WSU program or activity;
• Physical assault, or threatening or causing physical harm, extreme verbal abuse, or other conduct that threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person;
• Intimidation, including implied threats or acts that cause a reasonable fear of harm in another;
• Hazing, as defined in WAC 504-26-206; or
• Cyber harassment.

Sexual harassment may include:

• Sexually explicit jokes, comments about another’s physical appearance, and/or displaying of media with sexual content that is so severe or pervasive, and objectively offensive, that it substantially and unreasonably interferes with an individual’s ability to participate in a WSU program or activity;
• Persistent, unwanted attempts to change a professional relationship to an amorous relationship;
• Subtle propositions for sexual activity or direct propositions of a sexual nature; or
• Uninvited letters, emails, telephone calls, or other correspondence referring to or depicting sexual activities that are so severe or pervasive, and objectively offensive, that it substantially and unreasonably interferes with an individual’s ability to participate in a WSU program or activity.