Discrimination & Harassment

Discrimination is discrimination in the University’s Education Program or Activity in the United States based on an individual’s Protected Status that adversely affects a term or condition of an individual’s employment or limits or denies an individual’s opportunity to participate in or benefit from the University’s Education Program or Activity. Harassment is a form of Discrimination.

Sex Discrimination is discrimination in the University’s Education Program or Activity in the United States based on an individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, or pregnancy and related conditions.

Hostile Environment Harassment

The term “Hostile Environment Harassment” means unwelcome conduct based on Protected Status or Sex that, based on the totality of the circumstances, is subjectively and objectively offensive and is so severe or pervasive that it limits or denies a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from the University’s Education Program or Activity.

Determining whether a hostile environment has been created is a fact-specific inquiry that considers the totality of the circumstances and may include consideration of the following: 

• The degree to which the conduct at issue affected the Complainant’s ability to access the University’s Education Program or Activity;
• The nature, scope, type, frequency, and duration of the conduct at issue;
• The ages, identity, and relationships of the persons involved; and
• Other Hostile Environment Harassment in the University’s Education Program or Activity, if any. 

Quid Pro Quo Harassment

“Quid Pro Quo Harassment” occurs when a faculty or staff member of the University, an authorized agent of the University or another person authorized by the University to provide aid, benefit or services under the University’s Education Program or Activity, explicitly or impliedly conditions a provision of such aid, benefit or service on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct.

The term “Protected Status” means an individual’s race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, ethnicity, age, disability, family medical or genetic information, status as a veteran, military status, or any classification protected by local, state, or federal law.

The term “Retaliation” means intimidation, threats, coercion, or Discrimination against any individual by the University, a University student, faculty, or staff member, or anyone else authorized by the University to provide aid, benefit, or service under the University’s Education Program or Activity, for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by the University policy.