Eastern Kentucky University

Generally, sexual harassment may be described as unwelcome sexual behavior that a reasonable person would find offensive and that adversely affects the working or learning environment.

Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
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Such conduct has the result of unreasonably interfering with an individual's educational or work performance, or creating an intimidating or offensive educational or working environment.

Possible examples may include but are not limited to the following:
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* Sexually explicit language or writing, in print or electronic
* Emails, text messages, electronic advertisements or other electronic media of a sexual nature [...]
* Suggestive comments about physical attributes or sexual experience
* Repeated, unwelcome requests for dates
* Displaying or distributing unwelcome or unwanted posters, pictures, words or messages of a sexual nature
* Sexual or derogatory comments about men/women on coffee mugs, hats, clothing, electronic media etc.
* Sexual questions, jokes, anecdotes and stories without a germane educational or work-related purpose

OFFENSES
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Engaging in a course of conduct which is intended to harass, seriously annoy, or alarm another person.

Each member of
the university community is expected to give consideration to the highest standards of conduct
and character. No one should either offend the wider community or infringe upon the rights and
privileges of others.

Any action which has the effect of stifling free expression of differing points of view
or which is disruptive of efforts to present a wide variety of opinion is contrary to student academic
freedom.

The faculty has the responsibility to develop a campus-wide intellectual climate conducive to free
expression and exploration of ideas. More specifically, academic freedom for students includes the
following: freedom to read anything relevant to the intellectual task at hand; freedom to hear expressed a
wide range of viewpoints; and freedom to express beliefs, to discuss, and to disagree with other students
and with instructors on matters of opinion.

In determining the standards to be set and the manner in which sanctions shall be imposed, the University
takes cognizance of certain fundamental rights, freedoms and responsibilities of students:
1. As citizens, students enjoy the same freedoms as are guaranteed by the Constitutions of the
United States and the Commonwealth of Kentucky and have the same duties and responsibilities,
as do other citizens.
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3. The freedom of students to learn and to evaluate ideas and concepts is basic to the educational
process and is dependent upon general conditions conducive to the learning process in the
classroom, on the campus, and in the larger community. The responsibility to secure and respect
such general conditions is shared by all members of the academic community.
4. Students are free to discuss, to express opinions and to hear expression of diverse opinions. Such
expression of opinions and discussion must be accomplished without disrupting operations of the
University. As part of the freedom to learn, students have a right to hear the widest expression of
opinion. Speakers invited to the campus offer opportunities of the presentation and examination
of ideas.

All posters/flyers MUST be approved PRIOR to posting.

The use of computers and their associated communication equipment to abuse, harass or offend others is forbidden. Displaying, publishing or distributing abusive, offensive and harassing materials through computer resources is no different than similar conduct carried out in person, by telephone or by mail, and violations through electronic media will subject the individual to the same University sanctions.

The University does not censor the content of materials on campus computers, but reserves the right to restrict the transportation of abusive, offensive, and harassing materials across campus networks or external systems (e.g., through electronic mail). The University also reserves the right to restrict or limit access to its networks' infrastructure, and to remove materials stored therein without explanation or comment.

These are examples of improper uses of University computer resources.

a. Publishing (or "posting") obscene material in any electronic medium.

b. Displaying or storing files on university computers which are obscene or contain harassing or abusive messages, except where such uses are directly related to the individual's job or academic assignments.

c. Making obscene, abusive or harassing remarks (including racial, sexual or any other form of harassment) in any electronic forum, or sending or forwarding such messages to anyone.

d. Starting or extending email chain letters.