Civil Rights Policy: II. Prohibited Conduct

Relevant Excerpt

In the Educational Environment, Harassment refers to unwelcome verbal, physical or visual conduct, based upon a person or persons’ Protected Status, which is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it: 1) unreasonably interferes with a Claimant’s participation in educational programs, activities, opportunities or benefits; or 2) creates a hostile or abusive educational environment.  A person can commit harassment without intending to create these outcomes.

In evaluating the severity, persistence, or pervasiveness of the conduct, the College considers whether the target(s) of the conduct, as well as an objectively reasonable person considering the conduct from the perspective of the target(s), would find the conduct to be severe, persistent, or pervasive. In some instances, a single act may be sufficiently severe as to be prohibited by this Policy.

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In the Educational Environment, Sexual Harassment is a specific form of Harassment involving unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature (such as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature). As described above, Sexual Harassment can be based upon a Hostile Environment (i.e., sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it unreasonably interferes with a Claimant’s education). In addition, Sexual Harassment may also be based upon Quid Pro Quo Harassment.