It is the policy of Tech to maintain the University community as a place of work and study for staff, faculty, and students free of harassment, including sexual and gender harassment and all forms of sexual intimidation and exploitation. All students, staff, and faculty should be aware both that the University is concerned and prepared to take action to prevent and correct such behavior.
Sexual harassment by any faculty, staff, or student is a violation of both law and University policy and will not be tolerated at Tech. The University considers sexual harassment to be a very serious issue and shall subject the offender to dismissal or other sanctions following the University’s investigation and substantiation of the complaint and compliance with due process requirements.
The determination of what constitutes sexual harassment will vary with the particular circumstances, but it may be generally described as repeated and unwanted sexual behavior, such as physical contact and verbal comments or suggestions that adversely affect the working or learning environments of others.
EEOC Guidelines define sexual harassment as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
Although sexual harassment most frequently occurs when there is an authority differential between the persons involved (faculty member and student, supervisor and staff member), it may also occur between persons of the same status (e.g. faculty-faculty, staff-staff, student-student). Both men and women may be victims of sexual harassment, and sexual harassment may occur between individuals of the same gender.
Because of the unique situations which exist between students, faculty, supervisors, and staff, relationships in the workplace and on campus should at all times remain professional. In particular, due to the professional power differential between faculty and students, faculty members are encouraged to remain professional in all relationships with students. As teachers, professors encourage the free pursuit of learning by their students. They hold before them the best scholarly standards of their discipline. Professors demonstrate respect for students as individuals and adhere to their proper roles as intellectual guides and counselors. Professors make every reasonable effort to foster honest academic conduct and to assure that their evaluations of students reflect each student’s true merit. They respect the confidential nature of the relationship between professor and student. They avoid any exploitation, harassment, or discriminatory treatment of students. They acknowledge significant academic or scholarly assistance from them. They protect their academic freedom.
Sexual harassment may create a hostile, abusive, demeaning, offensive, or intimidating environment. It is manifested by verbal or physical actions, including gestures and other symbolic conduct. Sexual harassment is not always obvious and overt; it can also be subtle and covert. A person who is subject to sexual advances may nevertheless be a victim of sexual harassment if those advances were unwelcome.
If a professor’s speech or conduct takes place in the teaching context, it must also be persistent, pervasive, and not germane to the subject matter. The academic setting is distinct from the workplace in that wide latitude is required for professional judgment in determining the appropriate content and presentation of academic material.
Examples of sexual harassment may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Individuals who are aware of or have been subjected to sexual harassment are encouraged to promptly contact the Title IX Coordinator, Amy Pennington, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students and Title IX Coordinator, Doc Bryan Student Services Center, Suite 233, (479) 968-0407, apennington@atu.edu.
