The University of the South Non-Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy

Relevant Excerpt

Harassment covers a wide range of behavior and is generally defined as repetitive conduct that threatens, intimidates, alarms, or puts a person in fear for their safety. Harassment has two criteria: 1) the behavior is unwanted, unwelcomed, and uninvited behavior that demeans, threatens, or offends, and 2) the behavior has the effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s work or educational performance by creating an intimidating, hostile, or demeaning educational or work environment.

Harassment may take on many different forms including, but not limited to, offensive jokes, slurs, epithets or name calling, physical assaults or threats, intimidation, ridicule or mockery, insults or put-downs, offensive objects or pictures, impeding or blocking movement, and offensive touching.

This policy does not intend to discourage the normal exchange of ideas within the academic environment, nor the introduction of controversial but relevant ideas within the classroom. Petty slights, annoyances, and isolated incidents (unless extremely serious) will not rise to the level of conduct that violates this policy.