University Policy 53: Unlawful Discrimination

Relevant Excerpt

“Hostile Environment” occurs when one experiences unlawful distinction, preference, or harm as compared to others based on that individual’s Protected Status and that it is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive enough to unreasonably interfere with deny or limit: 1) an employee’s or applicant for employment’s access to employment or conditions and benefits of employment (e.g., hiring, advancement, assignment); 2) a student’s or admission applicant’s ability to participate in, access, or benefit from educational programs, services, or activities (e.g., admission, academic standing, grades, assignment, campus housing); or 3) an authorized agent’s ability to participate in an agent activity.  A Hostile Environment is one that a reasonable person (objective standard) would find hostile or abusive and one that a complainant under this policy perceives to be hostile or abusive (subjective standard).