SOUTHEAST KENTUCKY COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE
KCTCS: SOUTHEAST DISTRICT
SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY
It is the policy of Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College to maintain an environment for
students that is free of discrimination, sexual harassment, and all forms of sexual
intimidation and exploitation.
Sexual harassment is an assault on a person’s privacy and integrity. It can cause
poor academic performance, physical illness, fear of reprisal, anxiety, and loss of
self confidence.
Sexual harassment also can affect those exposed to the situation, causing conflict
in the classroom, a decline in morale, and a loss of respect for the responsible party.
Information concerning an allegation of sexual harassment will be handled in a
confidential manner insofar as possible.
Discrimination in the form of sexual harassment based upon, color,
religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or age will
not be tolerated at Southeast Community College.
DEFINITION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Sexual harassment not only violates Southeast Community College policy, but also
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
Sexual Harassment is defined as unwelcome and unwanted verbal or physical
conduct of a sexual nature:
· where submission to such conduct is made an explicit or implicit
term or condition of an individual’s academic status or progress;
· where submission or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis
for making academic decisions affecting the individual; or
· which has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with the
individual’s academic performance or which creates an intimidating,
hostile or offensive educational environment.
Sexual harassment can take different forms and the determination of what constitutes
sexual harassment will vary according to the particular circumstance.
COMPLAINT PROCEDURES
An individual may feel uncomfortable about a sexual advance and may begin to
feel embarrassed, guilty, trapped or even frightened that a reputation, grade, or
class is in jeopardy.
Student who believe they are victims of, or witnesses to sexual harassment are
urged to report such incidents as soon as possible. Such behavior should be
brought immediately to the attention of any one of the officials listed below:
- Instructor
- Head of Department or Division
- Human Resources Coordinator
- Appropriate Dean
- President
Appropriate investigation and disciplinary action will be taken. No adverse
academic action will be taken against a student making a good faith report of
alleged sexual harassment.
EXAMPLES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Sexual harassment may involve behavior by a student, faculty or staff person
of either sex against a person of the same or opposite sex. Sexual harassment
may be found in the following situations:
- Offering academic benefits in exchange for sexual favors;
- Making or threatening reprisals after a negative response to sexual advances;
- Offensive sexual jokes, comments or sexual overtures;
- Pressure or demand for sexual activity;
- Offensive or unwanted physical contact:
- Comments about an individual’s body;
- Visual displays of suggestive, erotic or degrading sexually-oriented images
or messages in any medium including email or internet web-sites.
EXTERNAL ASSISTANCE
External remedies are available for students through the United States Department
of Education Office of Civil Rights. For more information, you may contact the
Philadelphia Office:
U. S. Department of Education
Office of Civil Rights
Wanamaker Building, Suite 515
100 Penn Square East
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Telephone: 215-656-8541
FAX: 215-656-8605; TDD: 215-656-8604
Email: OCR_Philadelphia@ed.gov
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