Sexual Harassment Policy
It is the policy of Vernon College to provide an environment free from implicit and explicit sexual behavior used to control, influence, or adversely affect the well-being of any member of the College community. Harassment on the basis of sex is a violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Sexual harassment of any individual is inappropriate and unacceptable and is grounds for disciplinary action.
Definition of Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when one of the following criteria is met:
- submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of the individual status in a program, course, or activity; or
- submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for academic decision or other decision affecting that individual; or
- such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational or living environment.
Sexual harassment encompasses any sexual attention that is unwanted and can take many forms, but most sexual harassment falls into three categories: verbal, visual, and physical, and includes expression through electronic means. Examples of sexual harassment range from sexually suggestive remarks, gestures and jokes, to the display of offensive sexual pictures or photos. Other behaviors considered sexual harassment include, but are not limited to, offensive or negative comments about a person’s gender and/or physical appearance; unwelcome touching; standing close to or cornering a person; unwelcome pressure for dates or sex; and spreading rumors about a person’s sexual activity.