What is Harrassment?

The official policy definition of sexual harassment sounds like a legal document. The information on this page is designed to help you fully understand what sexual harassment is and what you can do if you feel that you have been sexually harassed.

Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

• Submission to such conduct is explicitly or implicitly required of the recipient; or,
• Submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as a basis of any school-related decisions affecting the recipient; or,
• The conduct has the purpose or effect of having a negative impact on the student’s educational performance or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment for students.

Consensual sexual activity between employees and students will be considered prohibited sexual harassment under this policy.

Examples of Sexual Harassment

• Graffiti & being called obscene names
• Inappropriate touching by another person
• “Dirty” jokes, pictures, stories, cartoons, etc.
• Physically getting in somebody’s way to make the person uncomfortable
• Pressure to go on a date
• Gesture of a sexual nature
• Requests for sexual favors
• Repeating of malicious gossip

Examples of Other Harassment 

• Bullying (see page 26)
• Hazing
• Threats (Verbal or written)
• Harassmentrelating to an individual’s gender, race, color, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, or disability