Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Harassment Policy

Relevant Excerpt

Policy Definition

Harassment includes any written, verbal or physical acts (including electronically transmitted acts) that are reasonably perceived as creating an intimidating, or hostile work, learning or living environment, particularly if questionable behavior is repeated and/or if it continues after the offending party is informed of the objectionable and/or inappropriate nature of the behavior. Harassment is based on protected classes which are listed on the cover page of the Student Handbook. Some of the classes recognized by Gettysburg College may not be protected under law. Harassment can be a single, serious incident or a series of related, repeated incidents. Harassment is measured by the impact of the behavior, rather than the intent of the harasser.

Examples of Harassment

Might include but are not limited to:

•  Making repeated suggestive or derogatory comments, jokes, or gestures about someone’s actual or perceived identity/expression, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or ability status. This can include comments indirectly related to the person’s group membership, such as comments about ethnic food, body shape or appearance, or derogatory slang.

•  Unwelcome staring, or advances, or persistent, unwanted contact such as repeated requests to meet or talk, or refusing to accept that a consensual relationship has ended by following, phoning, watching, etc. (This conduct can be so severe as to constitute stalking, which is a criminal act).

•  Displaying or distributing racist, sexist or homophobic graffiti, cartoons, posters, email, screen-savers, etc.

•  Ridiculing or mimicking a person’s accent or speech impediment.

•  Cyber-harassment (including harassment via social media, email, text, or other forms of electronic communication).