Middlebury College

Harassment includes such conduct specifically directed at an individual or a small group of individuals and expresses hatred or contempt on the basis of stereotyped group characteristics or because of a person's identification with a particular group. Harassment also includes violence in word or deed or attempts to incite violence directed against members of these groups because of their group identification. In addition, harassment may include repeated slurs, or taunts in the guise of a joke, or disparaging references to others, when such conduct is based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, religion, ethnic origin, religion, physical ability, or age.

Middlebury College defines harassment as verbal or physical conduct which on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, religion, national origin, age, or physical ability has the purpose or effect, from the point of view of a reasonable person, either of:

(a) interfering with an individual's educational or work performance; or
(b) creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational, work, or living environment.

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination and means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: [...] the conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's work or academic performance, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working, shared living, or educational environment.

Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to the following, when such acts or behavior come within one of the above definitions: [...](e) displaying or transmitting sexually suggestive pictures, objects, cartoons, or posters if it is known or should be known that the behavior is unwelcome;

(f) continuing to write sexually suggestive notes or letters if it is known or should be known that the person does not welcome such behavior;

(g) referring to or calling a person a sexualized name if it is known or should be known that the person does not welcome such behavior;

(h) regularly telling sexual jokes or using sexually vulgar or explicit language in the presence of a person if it is known or should be known that the person does not welcome such behavior; [...] (j) communicating derogatory or provoking remarks about or relating to a student or employee's sex or sexual orientation;

(k) directing harassing acts or behavior against a person on the basis of his or her sex or sexual orientation;

(l) off-campus conduct which falls within the above definition and affects a person's on-campus educational, shared living, or work environment.

Flagrant disrespect for persons, flouting of common standards of decency, behavior unbecoming of a Middlebury student, or continued behavior that demonstrates contempt for the generally accepted values of the intellectual community may result in disciplinary action.

Middlebury College is a community of learners and as such recognizes and affirms that free, honest intellectual inquiry, debate, and constructive dialogue are vital to the academic mission of the College and must be protected even when the views expressed are unpopular or controversial.

The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition.

Students and student organizations are free to examine and discuss all questions of interest to them and to express opinions publicly and privately.

Student organizations bear full responsibility for arranging and financing any Department of Public Safety provisions that may be necessary in connection with controversial speakers.