Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Policy

Relevant Excerpt

Sexual Harassment: Form of discrimination that includes verbal, written, or physical behavior, directed at someone because of that person’s sex (actual or perceived), gender, gender identity, gender expression, actual or perceived sexual orientation, sexual identity, or based on gender stereotypes, when that behavior is unwelcome and meets any of the following criteria: ... The unwelcome behavior is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it causes an unreasonable interference with the individual’s work or educational performance by creating an intimidating, hostile, or demeaning environment for employment, education, University living, or participation in a University activity or program. This can be referred to as “hostile environment”.  Examples of this type of sexual harassment include but are not limited to:

• Unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors;
• Unwelcome commentary, including but not limited to drawings, written statements, social media posts, or verbal statements, about an individual’s body, genitals or sexual activities;
• Unwelcome teasing, joking, or flirting based on actual or perceived gender identity, gender expression, or sexual identity/orientation; and
• Verbal abuse of a sexual nature or based upon gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual identity, sexual orientation, or gender stereotypes.

Behaviors or communications may be verbal or nonverbal, written, or electronic. Such conduct does not need to be directed at or to a specific individual in order to constitute sexual harassment but may consist of generalized unwelcome and inappropriate behaviors or communications based on sex, gender identity, sexual identity, gender expression, actual or perceived sexual orientation, or gender stereotypes.