This policy addresses student harassment occurring at the College or at events and/or activities sponsored by or connected with the College. It applies to harassment of students, including student employees, by other students at Sinclair. The Harassment Policy and Procedure, which is set forth in the Sinclair Community College Employee Handbook, applies to incidents of harassment involving a student and any employee of the College.

Sinclair Community College is committed to providing an educational environment free from harassment (including sexual harassment), and such conduct will not be tolerated in the academic environment and constitutes a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Harassment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, marital status, veteran status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, or disability, or any other protected status, is strictly prohibited.

Examples of prohibited conduct include, but are not limited to:

Harassment which has the purpose or effect of being so severe, pervasive or objectively offensive that the student is unable to enjoy and access the educational opportunities and benefits provided by the College.

Any type of physical contact, demeaning or abusive written or spoken language, or graphic communication that is unwelcome or unwanted by another student.

Unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances or propositions; verbal abuse of a sexual nature; unnecessary touching of an individual; or physical assault.

Slurs, jokes, posters, cartoons or gestures that are offensive, hostile or intimidating to a student.

A student who has a complaint of harassment against another student may report it to any of the following persons: Vice President for Student Services, Dean or Department Chairperson. If the complaint is brought to the attention of any person other than the Vice President for Student Services, the Vice President must be immediately informed of the complaint. Any questions about the policy can be answered by persons in any of the above-listed positions.

The College will promptly investigate all allegations of harassment in as confidential manner as possible. If all parties involved agree, the Vice President for Enrollment Management will appoint a faculty or staff member to investigate and/or mediate the dispute. Otherwise, the Vice President for Enrollment Management or his/her representative will conduct the investigation and/or mediation. The Equal Opportunity Officer is available for consultation on allegations of harassment involving students.

If the matter is not resolved through investigation and/or mediation, a formal Student Conduct Hearing will be convened. Each party may bring a representative to the Student Conduct Hearing. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Student Conduct Hearing Panel will make a written recommendation to the Vice President for Enrollment Management with respect to the resolution of the Complaint. This might also include a recommendation for discipline. The Student Conduct Hearing Panel will consider the totality of circumstances, including the nature and context of the alleged sexual assault and/or harassment, in determining the appropriateness of disciplinary action. A determination will be made based upon the facts, on a case-by-case basis.

Appeals from the Student Conduct Hearing Panel may be made to the President in writing.

All persons involved in resolving a complaint of student harassment will preserve the confidentiality of the parties and witnesses involved to the greatest extent possible.

The College will not retaliate against any student for reporting or assisting in the investigation of a complaint of harassment.

Any student who has been determined to have engaged in harassment in violation of this policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including suspension or expulsion in accordance with the Sinclair Student Code of Conduct.

Approved by the Board of Trustees - November 2000