Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct

Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 1, 2017

Verbal abuse of another person, including the following:

1. An express or implied threat to:
   1. Interfere with an individual’s personal safety, academic efforts, employment, or participation in university-sponsored activities and that under the circumstances causes the person to have a reasonable apprehension that such harm is about to occur; or
   2. Injure that person, or damage his or her property; or
2. “Fighting words” that are spoken face-to-face as a personal insult to the listener or listeners in personally abusive language inherently likely to provoke a violent reaction by the listener or listeners to the speaker.

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Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct: Student Rights- Right to Freedom from Harassment

Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 1, 2017

Discriminatory harassment is defined as conduct that targets an individual based upon age, color, religion, disability, race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or veteran’s status and that adversely affects a term or condition of an individual’s education, housing, or participation in a university activity; or has the purpose or effect of unreasonably creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for academic pursuits, housing, or participation in university activities.

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Student Activities Club Manual: Demonstrations on Campus

Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: September 1, 2017

Students or clubs or organizations planning a protest march or demonstration on campus should contact the Student Activities [Office] 72 hours in advance of the proposed march to discuss applicable University policies and to confirm the line of march.

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Student Activities Club Manual: Posting of Flyers and Posters on Campus by Student Clubs

Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: September 1, 2017

Postings that advertise alcohol, drugs, tobacco, implied illegal activities (including gambling), or sexually suggestive or harassing content are not permitted. Any individual, club or organization in violation of this policy will be subject to University disciplinary action and/or legal action.

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Dean of Students: Cyberbullying

Speech Code Category: Bullying Policies
Last updated: September 1, 2017

Cyberbullying is treated as a form of harassment and intimidation under the IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct. Cyberbullying is also prohibited by Indiana state law and falls under Intimidation (IC 35-45-2-1), Harassment (IC 35-45-2-2), and Unlawful use of a communications medium (IC 35-45-2-3). While IU Northwest recognizes and encourages freedom of expression, members of the campus community have the right to be free from harassment, conduct that interferes with an individual’s academic performance, or a learning environment that is intimidating, hostile, or offensive. Cyberbullying constitutes conduct that may compromise the security of the university or the integrity of the educational process. We uphold our institutional values when we ensure the highest level of mutual respect and a culture of inclusion and dignity for all.

Cyberbullying may come in the form of emails, text messages, or the use of online social networking sites, cell phones or cameras. Social networking sites include, but are not limited to, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Vine, and blogs. The University will not tolerate lewd, intimidating or other forms of harassing conduct by or toward members of its community.

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Office of Affirmative Action and Employment Practices: Understanding Sexual Harassment

Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 1, 2017

Harassment is a pattern of behaviors which is sexual in nature and creates a workplace or academic climate that “unreasonably interferes” with performance. “Sexual in nature” refers not only to “amorous” behavior but also to hostile conduct of a sexual or non‐sexual nature. If you aren’t sure if certain behavior creates a hostile work environment, ask yourself whether a “reasonable person” would be offended. The “reasonable person” is the standard used at Indiana University to determine hostile work environment.

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Sexual harassment can be a one time occurrence (for example, sex for grades) or a continuing pattern of behavior (for example, sexually explicit jokes). The context, severity, and frequency of the behavior must be considered when determining sexual harassment. Listed below are some of the behaviors which may be considered sexual harassment and sexual violence.

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Verbal Harassment

• Suggestive or insulting sounds
• Sexist jokes or humor
• Gender specific insults or comments
• Unwanted sexual invitations, propositions, or pressure

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Policy UA-03: Sexual Misconduct

Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 1, 2017

Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct or behavior of a sexual nature. … Sexual harassment can include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal, nonverbal, written, electronic (e.g. by e-mail, text, social media, etc.), or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment occurs when: …  such conduct is sufficiently severe, pervasive or persistent to limit or deny a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from the University’s educational programs or affects employment, creating a hostile environment.

[…]

The definition of sexual harassment in this policy is meant neither to proscribe nor to inhibit discussions, in or out of the classroom, of complex, controversial, or sensitive matters, including matters involving sex, gender, sexuality, sexual orientation, sexual behavior, or gender identity or expression, when in the judgment of a reasonable person they arise for legitimate pedagogical purposes. This includes intellectual inquiry, debate, and dialogue on issues of sexual misconduct. The mere expression of views, words, symbols or thoughts that some people find offensive, does not create a hostile environment.

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Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct: Student Rights- Right to Freedom of Association, Expression, Advocacy and Publication

Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: September 1, 2017

In accordance with the state and federal Constitution and university policy, the university recognizes the rights of all students to engage in discussion, to express thoughts and opinions, and to assemble, speak, write, publish or invite speakers on any subject without university interference or fear of university disciplinary action.

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