Sexual Harassment is (1) any unwanted verbal, written, electronic or physical conduct, of a sexual nature (2) that is intended to cause or could reasonably be expected to cause an individual or group to feel intimidated, demeaned, abused or fearful or have concern for their personal safety (3) because of their sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression or because of their perceived or actual affiliation or association with individuals or groups identified by such characteristics. Sexual harassment prohibited under this policy can be classified as either hostile environment sexual harassment or quid pro quo sexual harassment.
- Hostile Environment Harassment: A hostile environment based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression exists when the conduct:
- is sufficiently severe or pervasive (meaning that the conduct is either of an extraordinarily severe or egregious nature or has been repeated with sufficient frequency or continually); in other words, typically a single offense or occasional, episodic instances of offensive behavior will not qualify as sufficiently severe or pervasive, but a single egregious offense (e.g., sexual assault) would, and
- objectively and subjectively has the effect of
- unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or equal access to education or
- creating an intimidating, intolerable, or offensive work or academic environment.
Mere offensiveness is not enough to create a hostile environment.
The following types of behavior may constitute sexual harassment:
- Unwanted comments about an individual’s body, clothing or lifestyle that have sexual implications or demean the individuals sexuality or gender;
- Unwanted sexual flirtations, leering or ogling;
- Unwanted sexual advances and propositions;
- Unwanted display of sexually demeaning objects, pictures or cartoons in areas visible to other members of the University community;
- Threats or insinuations that an individual’s refusal or willingness to submit to sexual advances will affect the individual’s status, evaluation, grades, wages, advancement, duties or career development;
- Unwanted and intentional sexual touching, patting, pinching, or brushing another’s body or clothing;
- Stalking in person or by electronic means;
- Dating or domestic violence;
- Sexual assault.