Gender Discrimination/Sexual Harassment Policy Statement

Effective Date: 8/97

Lock Haven University is committed to providing a learning and working environment that enhances the dignity and worth of every member of its community. To this end, the community must be free from discriminatory conduct of any kind. Thus, because such conduct subverts the well-being of the college environment, abuse, discrimination or harassment of any individual will not be tolerated.

Gender discrimination/ sexual harassment in any form is not only contrary to University policy but also morally reprehensible because it undermines the dignity of community members and often represents an unfair exploitation of power.

As a University, we take seriously our responsibility to educate all members of the community about the nature of gender discrimination/ sexual harassment, its effects on both individual and communal well-being, and the steps necessary to combat it. Lock Haven University is committed to equality of opportunity and freedom from discrimination for all its students, faculty and staff.

Gender discrimination/sexual harassment and all forms of sexual intimidation and exploitation are of concern to the University. Governed by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 which prohibits sex discrimination in employment, and the Pennsylvania Human Relations
Act of 1955 (and their amendments), the University seeks to prevent and correct such actions. Gender discrimination/ sexual harassment is unacceptable conduct will not be tolerated in
any context at Lock Haven University whether it be in a faculty/ student, faculty/faculty, supervisor/ employee, student/student, worker/ coworker, or other relationship regardless
of the formal status of the persons involved. Individuals who engage in such behavior are subject to appropriate corrective action which, when warranted, may include termination of their relationship with the University. In addition, such persons may be held personally liable
to the target of such behavior and be subject to sanctions independent of those imposed by the University.

Under Title IX, and individual is the victim of gender discrimination if he/she is, on the
basis of sex, excluded from the participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to the discrimination under any education program or activity operated by the University. In addition, under Title VII an employer commits gender discrimination if it (a) fails or refuses to hire, discharges, or otherwise discriminates against any individual with respect to his/her compensation, terms, conditions of employment, because of such individual’s sex, or (b) limits, segregates or classifies its employees or applicants for employment in any way which would deprive or tend to deprive any individual of employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect his/her status as an employee, because of such individual’s sex.

Sexual harassment, which is a form of gender discrimination, occurs in a variety of
situations which share a common element: the inappropriate introduction of sexual activities
or sexual comments into the work or learning situation. Though not limited to the following circumstances, often sexual harassment involves relationships of unequal power and contains elements of coercion, for example suggestions that academic or employment reprisals or rewards will follow the refusal or granting of sexual favors. For purposes of this Policy, sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature occurring when: 

1. Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition
   of an individual’s employment, or of a student’s academic status or treatment; 

2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for academic or employment decisions affecting such individual; or 

3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or academic environment to a reasonable person.

Types of behavior which may constitute sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:

• Sexist, sexually suggestive or intimidating remarks or behavior;

• Inappropriate and offensive uninvited sexual advances;

• Solicitation of sexual activity or other sex linked behavior by promise of reward;

• Coercion of sexual activity by threat of punishment;

• Sexual assault.