1.4 Harassment and Discrimination Policy

Statement of Policy and Definition

It is the policy of the Alexandria Technical and Community College to provide employees and students with an environment for learning and working which is free from racial, religious, and sexual harassment and discrimination. Alexandria Technical and Community College expects that all members of the college community will conduct themselves in a responsible manner that shows respect for others and the community at large. The same behavioral standards apply to all individuals.

This policy is directed at conduct that constitutes discrimination under state and federal law. Individual's rights to free speech shall be considered in cases involving verbal statements or other forms of expression. Complaints of discrimination or harassment shall be pursued through the system complaint process.

Harassment of an individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, or membership or activity in a local commission have no place in a learning or work environment and is prohibited.

Racial Harassment

Racial harassment is a form of race discrimination that is prohibited by state and federal law. Racial harassment is defined as verbal or physical conduct that is directed at an individual because of his/her race, color, or national origin or that of his/her spouse and that is sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent so as to have the purpose or effect of creating a hostile work or educational environment. Racial harassment may occur in a variety of relationships, including faculty and student, supervisor and employee, student and student, staff and student, employee and employee, and other relationships with other persons having business at or visiting the work or educational environment.

Sex Discrimination/Harassment

Sex discrimination is prohibited by state and federal law. Sex discrimination is defined as verbal or physical conduct that is directed at an individual because of his/her gender or that of his/her spouse and that subjects the individual to different treatment so as to interfere with or limit the ability of the individual to participate in, or benefit from, the services, activities, or privileges provided by the system or colleges and universities or otherwise adversely affects the individual's employment or education.

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is prohibited by state and federal law. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually motivated physical conduct, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or education, evaluation of a student's academic performance, or term or condition of participation in student activities or in other events or activities sanctioned by the college or university; or
submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions or other decisions about participation in student activities or other events or activities sanctioned by the college or university; or
such conduct has the purpose or effect of threatening an individual's employment; interfering with an individual's work or academic performance; or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment.

Sexual Orientation Discrimination/Harassment

Sexual orientation harassment is a form of sexual orientation discrimination which is prohibited by state law. Sexual orientation harassment is defined as verbal or physical conduct that is directed at an individual because of his/her sexual orientation and that is sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent so as to have the purpose or effect of creating a hostile work or educational environment. Sexual orientation harassment may occur in a variety of relationships, including faculty and student, supervisor and employee, student and student, staff and student, employee and employee, and other relationships with other persons having business at or visiting the educational environment.

Any student who wishes or needs to discuss a harassment/violence issue or needs information should contact the Human Rights Officer.