2014-15-Undergraduate-Catalog

Student Life Policies • 1231. Submission to such conduct is made explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of anindividual’s employment or academic status in a course, program or activity; or verbalmisconduct, without accompanying physical contact as described above may constitutesexual harassment, which is also prohibited under university regulations.2. Submission to, or rejection of, such conduct by an individual is used as a basis foremployment or academic decisions affecting such individual; or3. Such conduct that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment thatsubstantially interferes with an employee’s work performance or a student’s ability toparticipate in or benefit from the university’s programs or activities.Examples of Sexual HarassmentExamples of physical and verbal conduct that may constitute sexual harassment mayinclude, but are not limited to, the following:1. A direct or implied threat that submission to sexual advances will be a condition ofemployment, promotion, or grades.2. A direct and unwanted proposal or subtle unwanted pressure to engage in sexual activity.3. A pattern of conduct causing discomfort or humiliation. e.g., unnecessary touching,gestures of a sexual nature, or remarks of a sexual nature, including comments aboutdress, jokes, or anecdotes.Sexual harassment does not include personal compliments, social interaction orrelationships freely entered into by students, employees, or prospective employees; however,the potential for sexual harassment, even in consensual relationships, must be recognized,especially in situations where a professional power differential exists (e.g.administrator/student, faculty/student, supervisor/employee). Sexual harassment does notinclude behavior that is considered to be appropriate to an academic discipline for thepurpose of instruction or individual safety.Sexual Misconduct can include but is not limited to incidents of sexual harassment, nonconsensualsexual contact (or attempts to commit same), non-consensual intercourse (orattempts to commit same) and sexual exploitation..Stalking is repeatedly contacting another person when the contact is unwanted. Thisbehavior can cause the other person to be concerned for his or her physical safety orcauses apprehension of the abilities to perform the activities of daily life. This behavior caninclude: communication (in person, phone, electronic, social media), following a person,watching or remaining in the physical presence of the other person.Threats are defined as taking action to cause a person to do something that he or shewould not have done without the threat. Example: If you do not have sex with me, I will:harm your reputationcause harm to someone you are close to.Shenandoah University encourages all members of the university community to be awareof both the consequences of sexual misconduct and the options available to those whohave experienced sexual misconduct.