Sexual Harassment Policy
Introduction & Philosophy
Sexual harassment, whether it be physical or non-physical, verbal or nonverbal, is a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and of Title IX of the Higher Education Amendment of 1972, which prohibits sex discrimination. Therefore, it is illegal under the 1980 guidelines of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and it violates the Sexual Harassment Policy of the University of New Haven.
In fulfilling its obligation to maintain and promote a positive and productive learning and work environment, the University of New Haven is committed to the philosophy that all community members should enjoy an environment free of sexual harassment. The university’s Sexual Harassment Policy is a component of the Affirmative Action Plan which is administered by the Affirmative Action Officer of the university.
Definition
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:
1. submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of student or employment status, or
2. submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for academic and/or employment decisions affecting such individual, or
3. such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work/academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
Complaint Procedure
Any member of the University community who believes that he or she has been subjected to sexual harassment may initiate a complaint, formal or informal, by contacting the university’s Affirmative Action Officer. In the case of sexual harassment complaints against students, individuals may have recourse to:
1. the procedures of the student disciplinary system, which is maintained in the Office of the Dean of Students, or
2. the procedures described in the University Affirmative Action Plan, which is maintained in the office of the Affirmative Action Officer.
Please refer to the University Student Handbook for further details .